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Original poster

Worried about my baby's childminder having a dog

81 replies

Sweettreet · 20/09/2025 21:28

I am getting bit worried about my baby's childminder having a big dog. I don't know the breed yet. I saw the big dog in pictures in the same room as my baby and other toddlers and I have become concerned as I thought the dog wasn't allowed to come to the same space as kids.
My baby is only 11 months and other baby is 8 months and then there are toddlers who are 2 &3.
It's my first time using a childminder and I don't know what the norm is. Can you please help me figure out what to do and what to say to the childminder calmly as she's a lovely person but I am quite worried right now.

OP posts:
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JMSA · 21/09/2025 09:24

charlieandjenna · 21/09/2025 07:11

I used to be a registered child minder with two dogs and the dogs were always kept separate from the children with a stair gate between them for everyone’s benefit. The dogs didn’t want children climbing over them either. The children were very welcome to fuss them through the gate and read stories to them

Read stories to them? That is just adorable 😁💕

charlieandjenna · 21/09/2025 07:11

I used to be a registered child minder with two dogs and the dogs were always kept separate from the children with a stair gate between them for everyone’s benefit. The dogs didn’t want children climbing over them either. The children were very welcome to fuss them through the gate and read stories to them

Iocainepowder · 21/09/2025 07:01

I would be hesitant here op.

Our first CM had a little dog and there were no issues.

Our second CM had a cat that once got into the room with the toddlers and badly scratched my DC’s face.

So even if kept apart, there can be a risk.

We had had experiences with CMs tbh and switched to nursery.

JMSA · 21/09/2025 03:55

Even putting the dog issue aside, this childminder is showing poor judgement.
This means that her judgement could be poor in other aspects of childminding too.

NET145 · 21/09/2025 03:41

Absolutely not worth the risk in any way. Big dogs which you do not know and children are incompatible. At the very least, the dog is a distraction when the focus should be entirely on childminding. This childminder needs to get real!

SiameseBlueEyes · 21/09/2025 03:39

My mother as a young woman had been a nanny. There were two things she didn't trust around a new baby - dogs and the resentful toddler sibling. Even as toddlers she never left my children alone with her dog. It was a smallish spaniel who loved children and was endlessly patient and good-natured with them. I wouldn't be happy with the set up at your child minders.

PollyBell · 21/09/2025 03:29

We lwenr amd looked at one childminder a massive dog was jumping up behind a fence at us, yes the fence was high but we moved on, no chance

coxesorangepippin · 21/09/2025 02:23

No from me

People always think their dog is great - I don't trust any dog around kids

VikaOlson · 20/09/2025 23:36

Crazy that you didn't know about the dog before hand. Was it not in the house on any of your visits?

I'm a childminder and always tell parents that we have cats, guinea pigs and hamsters on the first visit in case anyone is allergic.

Original poster
Sweettreet · 20/09/2025 23:16

Didntask · 20/09/2025 23:14

Why would a baby cry at seeing a dog?

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I don't know, she just made this comment. She just said she'll cry to see a big black dog.

OP posts:
Didntask · 20/09/2025 23:14

Sweettreet · 20/09/2025 23:13

She's looking after 4 children. She did mention the dog after baby started full days and she commented that baby's so brave with dog and didn't cry after seeing the dog.

Why would a baby cry at seeing a dog?

Didntask · 20/09/2025 23:13

aWeeCornishPastie · 20/09/2025 23:11

So she never disclosed the dog? No I wouldn’t leave my child in that setting. And as someone else mentioned how many kids is she looking after at once?!

It was all on the council website. The dog was 'disclosed'

Original poster
Sweettreet · 20/09/2025 23:13

She's looking after 4 children. She did mention the dog after baby started full days and she commented that baby's so brave with dog and didn't cry after seeing the dog.

OP posts:
aWeeCornishPastie · 20/09/2025 23:11

So she never disclosed the dog? No I wouldn’t leave my child in that setting. And as someone else mentioned how many kids is she looking after at once?!

Carnation25 · 20/09/2025 23:06

Our childminder had two fabulouus golden retrievers - I suppose they would count as big dogs. We had no issues at all in two yeara.

Didntask · 20/09/2025 23:06

Where did the OP say the CM hid the dog? Op herself says the CM is listed on the council website as having cats and dogs. Looks to me like a lack of due diligence on the OPs behalf rather than the CM being shady.

whynotwhatknot · 20/09/2025 23:02

if its all above bpard why didn she tell op about her dog before she signed up

Original poster
Sweettreet · 20/09/2025 22:51

My problem is that all the other childminders in my proximity have dogs. Is this the norm?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sweettreet · 20/09/2025 22:50

She said she hasn't got other baby on all the days but that baby was there in a picture with my baby. She said she was only settling in.

OP posts:
BeaLola · 20/09/2025 22:49

It would be a No from me and I would be concerned that it had not been mentioned from the outset & I wouldn't be happy with the Rayo of babies and children to 1 childminder

FourIsNewSix · 20/09/2025 22:48

Didntask · 20/09/2025 22:44

What are you expecting the CM to do, get rid of her dog?

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Not have the dog in the same room as kids without parents even knowing about it?

Original poster
Sweettreet · 20/09/2025 22:47

Didntask · 20/09/2025 22:44

What are you expecting the CM to do, get rid of her dog?

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I am not expecting to get rid but I want to know more about the dog and how the dog is managed around kids.

OP posts:
Didntask · 20/09/2025 22:45

Portakalkedi · 20/09/2025 22:44

I am amazed that would be allowed, presumably childminders have to be assessed and regulated?

You think that CMs aren't allowed to have pets? 😅

Didntask · 20/09/2025 22:44

Sweettreet · 20/09/2025 22:40

Most nurseries near me are full.

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What are you expecting the CM to do, get rid of her dog?

Portakalkedi · 20/09/2025 22:44

I am amazed that would be allowed, presumably childminders have to be assessed and regulated?