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Post by kellsbells on Nov 15, 2007 10:33:38 GMT
Hi Guys,
I am ready to have my inspection which will be on the 26th of this month, But one thing that is really bothering me is that I smoke, I have a no smoking policy in place for when the children start to come, but at the moment I still smoke in my house.
It's really worrying me that the inspector will smell smoke in my house, but I have decided to stop smoking in the house by this Monday to give it time to air out the house, then if I want to smoke I shall either stand at the back door with it open (in bad weather) or go out into the garden if dry.
Is this bad? I am really stressing over it, I definately will not smoke in front or around any of the children but the thought of giving up completely terrifies me at the moment! ;-(
Look forward to your advice. Kellsbells x
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Post by sarahnev707 on Nov 15, 2007 11:04:33 GMT
TBH I wouldn't even mention it to Ofsted - it would open up a can of big worms! Just make a no smoking statement - 'My house and car are no smoking; I am committed to avoiding smoky atmospheres with children' But you have to be really committed - not smoking in front of the children and not smoking where they might spot you eg when you're on the school run or having a crafty one at the back door... if they tell parents they saw you, or parents / friends drive past and see you, or you breathe on them and they ask about your breath and tell parents..... you'd potentially lose the child Put up a 'no smoking' sign at the back or front door for parents - not necessary legally in your home but shows you are asking parents to avoid smoking when they are collecting their child Eat lots of mints, get fresh air through the house and spray a bottle of febreze everywhere! Non-smokers will be able to smell it in furnishings etc - their noses are more sensitive.. might be worth you doing a sofa cover wash and putting some shake n vac on the carpet as well Good luck! Sarahx
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Post by vik3000 on Nov 15, 2007 17:37:49 GMT
I was under the impression though that as smoking is banned now in work places - it is illegal to smoke in your setting as it is a place of work. My hubbys van is classified as a "work space" and it is illegal to smoke.
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Post by tasha on Nov 15, 2007 17:42:17 GMT
It is only illegal to smoke in specific parts of your home if they are exclusively used for childminding ie a separate playroom that is ONLY used for minded children. If however your setting doubles as home as well as setting you can smoke after hours as it were...BUT you are legally obliged to provide a smoke free environment for mindees, so you would have to ventilate really well & not smoke anytime near their time of arrival. Tasha
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Post by stacie1985 on Nov 15, 2007 18:25:51 GMT
Hello my partner and i are also smokers but i decided when i started childminding i would not smoke at all during my hours of work. plus is better for my son too that way i only smoke in the evening and my last mindee doesnt leave till 7pm so im running to the bk door as soon as she leaves as im dying for a f*g. but we smoke in the kitchen at the bk door only we dont smoke in any of the house but we did this as soon as my son was born last year so was used to it by time i started minding few months later. i find this is much nicer for all yeah you mite get a bit cold but keeps your own little ones lungs fresh and people dont think your house stinks when they come in.
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Post by banana on Nov 18, 2007 9:58:05 GMT
Im sorry, but smoking in the house in my opinion is not a good thing to do. No im not digging at smokers because i am an on and off smoker and Richard is a smoker but NEVER will we smoke in the house. It makes your furniture stink and it doesnt matter how much you try to cover up the smell non-smokers CAN smell it. If I were you Kellsbells I would stop all smoking in the house as it clings to everything and any non smoker will smell it. Although as pointed out you can smoke in your home in areas not specifically used just for minding as it is your home too but I think you should avoid it if you can. All Im saying is that from a parents point of view... on our first meeting, if I could smell smoke in the house, I wouldnt be coming back. I hope you dont feel like i've just had a go at you, im really not . I just feel very strongly about keeping smoke and the smell of, away from childrens environments With regards to Ofsted, Dont mention you smoke, As long as you have a no smoking policy in place thats what they are looking for xxxxxxxxx
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Post by niecynoo on Nov 18, 2007 11:17:06 GMT
Totally agree with wots been said,I'm a smoker but I don't smoke in my house or while I.m working, don't smoke many so shud really give up but keeps me sane ..... ? I think lol Denise xxx
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Post by manjay on Nov 18, 2007 11:23:43 GMT
I agree with Lana. I think as a parent it would put me off if I could smell smoke in a house. My husband is a smoker but is always banished to the garage to do the dirty deed. I have now decided that is not far enough away from the house so he has just installed electrics in his garden shed which is tucked away at the bottom of the garden so he an go further away!! Lol!!
Our inspector was aware he is a smoker (cos she came round at such short notice he had left an ashtray outside!!) and she didn't have a problem. She could see from our policies that we have a strict no smoking policy in the house and that was ok.
Amanda xx
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Post by kelly on Nov 19, 2007 19:36:55 GMT
I agree that unless you have to I wouldn't mention it to your inspector, I would write a smoking policy though in case she does smell the smoke, stating that you are committed to providing the children a non-smoking environment. I gave up on 1st Jan 06, I used to get so stressed not having a f*g all day I decided that I might as well be stressed for a week or two and give up!! however couldn't get hubby to join me, so when this new smoking law came in, I told him a little white lie and told him as I run a business he could no longer smoke in the house in the evenings!!!! White lies don't hurt do they? ? (they defiantly don't hurt me and the kids, that's for sure) Oh by the way I am not anti-smoking.
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Post by june on Nov 19, 2007 20:17:53 GMT
Nice one Kelly
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Post by kellsbells on Nov 21, 2007 13:27:34 GMT
Hi all, well thank you for all your replys,I have not taken anyones advice in vain and appreciate all your input,It's nice to know what other people think ,I have just aired out my house this morning and am sitting at my pc gagging for a f*g already! However on a positive note I'm thinking of the money I will save... and worrying about the weight I will put on at the same time! lol ;-(
Not a good start, In an ideal world I would like to give it up as it's a horrible and expensive habit, however I need to be realistic and think at the moment I am glad I have made the move of not smoking anywhere in the house anymore, but I will have the occasional one when I'm out or out the back door if I am desperate.... With that thought I can carry on quite happily! ;-)
Thank you all for your help.
Kellsbells x
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Post by miffy on Nov 21, 2007 20:54:53 GMT
Good luck with this - hope your resolve stays strong!
Miffy
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Post by kellsbells on Nov 22, 2007 9:51:22 GMT
OK, well it's my 2nd day and I have managed to not smoke anywhere in the house (apart from a sneaky one out the bedroom window last night,but it was 1 o clock and as a single mother, I don't feel comfortable with opening ym front or back door at that time of night....I know I know...excuses excuses lol) So I think I am doing quite well!
I'm really proud of myself as I was a really heavy smoker and was actually dreading it! I must admit that I am eating more I think because my hands are not busy! ;-(
Ofsted are coming on Monday and I can't wait for it to be all over and done with!
I have also got a part-time position with the Pre-school Leaning Alliance which will tide me over until I get some kids.
But I shall update you as soon as I have anymore news, thanks for all your support and encouragement.
Kellsbells x
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Post by helen1980 on Nov 22, 2007 11:16:00 GMT
Good luck with the no/reduced smoking... This sort of weather is perfect to give up, if you are strict with yourself and only smoke outside, because the weather is lousy. And who wants to stand outside when its chucking it down with rain or freezing cold! ;D Not me thats for sure!
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Post by kelly on Nov 22, 2007 12:56:45 GMT
I was smoking about 20 a day, I saved all my ciggy money and this year I am taking my family to Euro Disney for Christmas, can't wait and really proud of myself...
Good Luck, even if you manage to cut down it will be a real achievement
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Post by john on Nov 22, 2007 16:57:49 GMT
Childminders The ways in which the regulations will affect childminders will depend primarily on two points: ·whether they work alone ·whether the part of the premises they work in is used solely as a place of work or not.
Childminders working alone Generally, when a registered childminder is working alone in their own home, the premises will not have to be smoke-free. This means that the childminder, members of their family, visitors etc will be able to smoke in the premises when children are not present.
This will be the case whether the premises are wholly designated as a domestic property or whether some areas of the home have been designated exclusively for childminding and are liable for business charges such as capital gains tax or the business rate of council tax.
I have the full document for childminders working alone or with an ass) about smoking, if anyone would like it just ask and i'll see if i can email it to you.
John.
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lisat
Silver Member
Life is for living, not for looking at.
Posts: 30
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Post by lisat on Nov 22, 2007 20:49:36 GMT
I was completely honest with Ofsted and told them I smoke and showed them my No Smoking Policy and they were perfectly happy with it.
Lisa xxx
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Post by kellsbells on Nov 22, 2007 21:24:48 GMT
Well that's good to know, I just had this vision of an ofsted inspector walking into my house and thinking "gosh it stinks of smoke!" how could you have kids here?
But anyway at least I've done something about it! Which is good.
Thank you for all your advice.
Kellsbells x
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Post by strawbs on Nov 22, 2007 21:55:21 GMT
I also smoked but decided when i started the process of becoming registered i would give up. I have gone 4 weeks without smoking with the help of patches. I had a patch on when the inspector came and told her i no longer smoked and when i did smoke I always went in the garden. I have never smoked around my children, She also asked about my eldest daughter who smoked I told her she has to go outside and smoke, and she did comment that she could not smell any smoke in the house I would do as sarah suggested and spay fabreeze everywhere and maybe stick some garlic bread in the oven before they arrive to disguise the smell lol. good luck with your inspection
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Post by kellsbells on Nov 25, 2007 17:24:06 GMT
Thank you! I shall let you all know how it goes!!!
I have my fingers,toes and everything else crossed!!! ;D
Kellsbells x
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lisat
Silver Member
Life is for living, not for looking at.
Posts: 30
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Post by lisat on Nov 25, 2007 17:29:40 GMT
Good luck!!! Li xx
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Post by miffy on Nov 25, 2007 19:59:49 GMT
Good luck tomorrow
let us know how it goes
Miffy x
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Post by kellsbells on Nov 26, 2007 18:53:50 GMT
I passed, But I thought I would start a whole new thread for this particular news!!!!!! ;-)
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by deeb66 on Nov 26, 2007 20:31:04 GMT
And so you should as it is brilliant news Dee
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Post by kellsbells on Nov 27, 2007 10:36:22 GMT
Thank you! ;D
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