to be scared to death our childminder has erected a swimming pool in her garden?

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

Just picked the DS's up from our normally lovely CM to find she now has a pool in her garden

It's one of those big paddling pools (about 3 foot high, 8 foot wide - I only had a quick look). She explained it was for the bigger kids and that she bought the bigger size so DS (14mo) wouldn't be able to climb into it. Now the thought of DS somehow managing to push a step to it and climb in unnoticed has left me feeling queasy. I also have a 4yo DD, but I think she's big enough to stand up in it... But does this mean it's safe for her?

AIBU? I have suffered PND and anxiety so have no idea. All I know is drowning is the second most common reason for death among young children and that if she'd had the bloody thing when I was looking for a CM then I'd never have hired her.

[MammaTJ]

I am sure that noone will be allowed to use it unsupervised, so it should not be a problem!

[PotteringAlong]

Has she covered it when not in use? Otherwise I would be voicing my Concerns - yanbu

[Sirzy]

Ask to see her risk assessment for it, she should have measures in place to ensure that no child can get into it unsupervised.

[WorraLiberty]

I have one of these pools and the sides tend to 'bag out' at the bottom...therefore I think she could easily get a foot up on it.

But I assume any children in the pool will be supervised by an adult anyway?

[WorraLiberty]

Pottering the covers only keep leaves and insects out.

My neighbour's cat walked across our cover and plopped straight in!

[PotteringAlong]

To add - I'm assuming they're sometimes playing in the garden unsupervised ( even if just for 5 mins). If not it should be fine. She should have a risk assessment

[Svrider]

Yadnbu
I'm sure someone will come along with proper links, but the last time this was discussed was v.scary
Over 75% of drownings happen when adult is less than 50m away
Drownings very often are silent and happen in less than one minute
I think you need to tell child minder the children are not staying until she takes it down
I would be seriously at this tbh

[strugglingwiththepreteenbit]

I think you wouldn't be unreasonable to ask her how she intends to manage it safely, but a responsible childminder should be able to.

[PotteringAlong]

Really worra? heck!

I'd snigger at the cat too

[shineypenny]

If your CM is likely to leave your 14mo for long enough that he can somehow push a step up to a swimming pool and climb in, he could also have time to set fire to the house or unlock the front door and escape . YABU She is a professional CM. It is not going to happen.

[Happiestinwellybobs]

I agree with others - ask her how she is proposing to manage it and voice your concerns. Any decent childminder should understand your worries. Facing the same issue with my PILs and their new huge pond!

[Svrider]

In answer to other posters, what about when one of mindees wants a wee, nappy change, drink of water
What when phone goes, or door bell
Are you saying you would bet your child's life that cm isn't going to be distracted for even a minute

[emmieging]

I agree that she should have measures in place to ensure there is no risk to any of the children she minds. If you still feel unsure though, I would consider other childcare Because your peace of mind is essential

[patosullivan]

YANBU.

I'd also be feeling very nervous about this.

Is she going to keep it filled up, or is it going to be emptied when she's not in the back garden supervising the kids in it?

If it's going to be kept filled up, is she going to keep the kids inside and lock the back doors when she can't supervise both at once, so they can't go in it unsupervised (i.e. when changing DS's nappy or taking DD to toilet or whatever)?

[Meglet]

yanbu. It would tip me over the edge.

It wouldn't be possible to watch all the children at the same time. Mind you, I'm so neurotic I won't let my dc's (5 & 3) have a paddling pool yet as I can't watch them every second they're in it, I'd be too scared to even have a wee.

[Softlysoftly]

Soft Covers on pools are actually more dangerous, step on them and as they sink in they wrap around the person making it impossible to stand/swim out.

Hard covers or taught netting is better.

[phantomnamechanger]

risk assessments are one thing, and she may have the very best of intentions, but there may be one day when she nips to the loo or to answer the door, and it only takes seconds for a child to drown. I wonder if her insurance covers her for a pool in the garden for "business use"??

i would not be happy at all, for the same reason I would not use a cm with a dog - one day, the usual care may not be taken and something dreadful could happen. It happens when parents are caring for their own kids, when GPs are, and in pools with lifeguards - I'm not just saying some CM are crap!

[babyboomersrock]

She must be bonkers. How many children does she mind? Does she have help?

I wouldn't leave a toddler in the care of anyone who had an uncovered pool.

[KissMyEmbroideryHoop]

Another YANBU here....I think you dfinitely need to ask for her risk assesment and voice your worries. I would be thinking of not sending my DC there tbh.

[phantomnamechanger]

our school has an outdoor pool - people are always asking to hire it for parties - the answer is always the same - unless you have your own insurance and a qualified lifeguard, no.

so what are the regs for childminders?

[Hassled]

I'm absolutely sure it will be fine and that she will make damn sure that your DS won't get within a country mile of the thing unsupervised, but you are not being precious or over-anxious or anything else to be asking a lot of questions.

[Sirzy]

Is it actually allowed? May be worth contacting OfStead or your local council to find out the rules aorund it

[griphook]

I would be concerned, how many children does she have to supervise.

The local swimming pool had a rule of one adult per child if under 3.
There is no way in the world she can ensure the childrens safety all the time

[Icelollycraving]

Yanbu. Ask to see the risk assessment & tell her you are very nervous. Depending on her answers I'd also tell her you may need to rethink your arrangement.
She probably thought it'd be fun but it sounds pretty dangerous to me.