Childminder leaving my Daughter in the car

[Festivefly]

My sister has a problem, can anyone help!
Hello, i just need some advice on what to do about my childminder. My Husband has just phoned me to say that while he was in ToysRus, she was there with her children but had left our 18 month daughter in the car. Is this a big deal, i am worried that another car might hit her, or she could wake up, or even someone could steal her!!!!!! What do you think, am i being over the top, or should something be done? Thanks all

[Hulababy]

I personally would not want my daughter left in a car on her own, and certainly not by someone I had trusted (and paid) to take care of her. I think your sister needs to speak to the childminder straight away and sort this out and to make sure it doesn't happen again.

[Festivefly]

Thanks Hula i just cut and pasted that to her!

[FairyMum]

I think this is totally unacceptable and a good example of why I choose nursery for my children. You just don't know.

[LIZS]

Definitely she should speak to the childminder. She is being paid to look after your dn in loco parentis. Whilst she may well not do everything your sister would do, safety and security should be high priority. If anything were to happen I wonder if her insurance would cover her ?

[aloha]

It's a very big deal IMO. I think it's dreadful. Apart from the obvious safety issues (eg I'm sure some unsupervised 18month olds can release themselves from straps, wriggle out, and put stuff in their mouths, trap arms etc) suppose she got upset or frightened on her own? Also, why is she being left out of family trips? I don't like it. In fact I don't like it so much I would seriously consider changing my childcare.

[zebra]

I'm really surprised; the CMs I've employed are about 6x more careful with my kids than they would be with their own. If she's overwise a good CM I would be tactful and just say that there are two many stories of cars being stolen while child is inside -- pls. don't do again.

[emmatmg]

Personally I would be absolutely furious if my childminder did that and even more so if she took her own children in with her. I'd sack her immediatley and deduct the money from her wages that she hadn't been with her. Who know what could happen? and how many times she'd done it before?

I'd probably then smack her in the face but thats not very helpful is it!!!!!

[StressyHead]

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[Crunchie]

Totally unacceptable!! I used to use a childminder and this would have horrified me. Currently I have a nanny and I know she doesn't do it, even with two in the car (aged 4 and 2)

I do it myself, but that is different, it is my choice and my child.

[Blu]

FF's sister: No, this is absolutely not all right, and I think, quite a serious error of judgement. Why didn't your husband sort it out right there and then? I feel certain that this would contravene whatever good practice guidance/laws cover registered childminders - I think she could get struck off the councils approved register for such a thing. I think you need to find out what other dangerous / bad practices she considers normal.

[motherinferior]

That's terrible. Agree with everyone else. No you're NOT being over the top - I'd be livid!!!!

[StressyHead]

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[Browbeaten]

Not acceptable at all IMO - wouldn't do it with my own let alone someone elses child. How old are her children? From my experience of Toys r us you could be gone forever looking for someone to serve you!! I'd report her to the local authority and take my child away.

[StressyHead]

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[StressyHead]

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[Enchanted]

I am shocked and appalled, this is the sort of thing that makes it impossible for us to rest whist we are are at work.
I'm afraid I am inclined to agree with Emmatmg, although she's right it wouldn't be helpful!
I would sack her and report her to the authorities, how many other times has she done this? I could list at least 20 things that could have happened to this child and why did she take her own kids in the shop? Aghh this makes me so furious.
Childcare is a nightmare and I am familliar to the feeling of wanting to put theses things to the back of your mind as it is just a massive hassel. Believe me it is not worth ingnoring it as your sister will never rest again.
This woman should be struck off!

[Festivefly]

Well i can't get in touch with my sister, i think she may have fallen off her chair

[aloha]

StressyHead, blimey that was a bit OTT, wasn't it??

[WideWebWitch]

I'd be furious too.

[WideWebWitch]

And I'd fire her too.

[StressyHead]

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[marthamoo]

I would never leave any child alone in a car unless I could see them. To leave a child in a public car park while you go in a shop just beggars belief. What would worry me is how many times she has done this without being caught in the act. I just wouldn't want someone who could be so irresponsible looking after my child. Harsh, but how I feel.

[Dadslib]

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[Jubbly]

I would be furious too. If you are paying someone to look after your child then they should do exactly that - not leave them behind in the car. It's not as if shopping in Toys R Us is an emergency. It's also not the kind of shop where you could see the car and child at all times. I would be seriously considering lookinf for someone else to look after my child.

[Blu]

'nipping' into a corner shop, say, where you can grab something from shelf and be at the checkout without taking your eyes off the car, and be able to race out instantly might be ok (although personally, I even fill up the car at times that DS isn't with me to avoid leaving him), but you can't 'nip' into ToysRUs, esp with two other children.