I have just started working in FDC and we definatley have to have safety screenings for any regular visitors and all family members over the age of 18 yrs.
I would definately be checking up on that if I were you.
I think better safe than sorry. Ultimately, it is much easier for you to ask questions now than pick up the pieces later. Alarm bells are going off in your head and that's great it means you are thinking about the welfare of your child. Don't ignore them just because other people think you are over-reacting.
Thank you again girls for all your wonderful replies. My DH called FDC head office and they basically said, unless it's a regular visitor to the property, then there are no guidelines. That doesn't make me feel any better at all! I chose FDC over child care, because I thought he'd do better with a one on one environment and the he'd get the same person each time he went. But, now I feel like I've got no way of protecting him. Will have to have a long think and a big discussion with DH over the weekend.
Would depend on your state regulations (and also scheme policies)
Ours states that only regular visitors or people who live or stay at the house have to undergo police checks. My 16yo had to sign a Working with Children declaration as well.
Visitors should sign in and out on a visitor sheet which must be visible to all parents daily.
Manners would have been to introduce you to this person, who obviously visits on occasions.
celsie, hope it all works out.. choosing childcare is not easy....
let's see what the lady says abt the man.
is the fdc head office part of the franchise or the government body?
My FDC lady will not allow any visitors to the house when she's got kids. The exceptions to this is if they have relatives visiting from interstate which has happened a few times, but she always introduces them and always tells me at least a few days before they arrive that they are coming.
Our carer and her husband are in their late 60's or early 70's at least and the lady is the qualified carer. While the husband is home, he doesn't look after the kids, or even hold them, with the exception of their grandson who is 2 and is one of the kids they look after.
Occasionally their youngest daughter (who is probably in her late 20's early 30's) lives at the house but she is rarely home when the kids are there as she works. Everyone who lives in the house has been police checked and any time they have visitors staying from interstate they always notify the head office.
In your case, I think you have every right to know who the person was and how often they visit. I'm just not sure how you would word it to ask.
I'd definately follow your gut and ask. Like you said, this is someone who is essentially with your son (at least in the same house) so you really do have a right to know IMO.
Well, thats how I'd feel if it were me.
It might feel a bit intrusive asking "so who was that here when I picked up DS" but, well, your number one priority is your DS, and if looking after him means asking questions about the person who is looking after him 2 days a week then thats what it means.
Seeing as she asked if you had a problem with the level of care, tell her that you have no problem with the care she provides (if that's the case) but be honest and tell her that you weren't comfortable with not knowing who the man was that visited but be clear that you have no problem with her having visitors, after all, it is her home, but that you would feel more comfortable if she either introduced visitors to you if they are there when you pick up or drop off your child, or that she lets you know in advance that so and so is coming over or when you pick up your child that so and so visited today.
If she responds badly to this, then take it up with the head office.
i read ur first post but i didnt get through everyone elses so i am sorry if i have repeated anything.
i do FDC and anyone that is a resident over the age of 16 has to have a police check b4 u can start FDC. also u r aloud visitors but they have to sign in and out in a visitors book. this is to proove who is in the house at certain times so if anythign was every said to of happened they cant turn around and say no one was there.
in saying that if a parent turns up and i have someone here i always introduce who they are it is a bit rude to just not say anything. the only people i have here r usually other FDC people anyways or my husband and everyone knows him.
x).
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