Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Nannies - advice on mum insisting small 4 year old doesn't need a CARSEAT

86 replies

DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:34

Mum and dad boss are both insisting that there ds does not need a CARSEAT when I take him out in the car. He is tiny for his age (more 3 year old size) so I'm sure he needs a car seat preferably a high back booster.

In result of them not supplying one I've stopped doing any extra activities with him after school that involve a car journey - which they are not happy about

What can I do to ensure they provide a CARSEAT?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Theas18 · 21/01/2013 11:32

for those saying " just provide a car seat and use it" it isn't as simple as that - this child is " boss" at home and isn't going to be a lamb and be strapped in at the CM nicely - there are likely to be huge battles of wills - it's bad enough teaching a child they need to be strapped in when they are your child, and hat is a consistent rule- when " my daddy doesn't say I have to" is part of the picture too....

Theas18 · 21/01/2013 11:30

Do you want to continue to mind this child and deal with these difficult parents? Do they always pay promptly/any other disagreements??

You are acting entirely appropriately and in the childs best interests.

Have you asked NCMA or similar re parents wanting you to break the law and act unsafely?

I think if I were a CM I'd be giving them notice TBH. As a parent i know a good CM is worth their weight in gold and I'm sure you could easily fill the place with a less challenging family.

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 11:20

Sanity - that's what I was thinking it just an expense I can't afford as have brought the baby a carseat recently as he was in the wrong one

OP posts:
SanityClause · 21/01/2013 11:15

While I always provided car seats when I had nannies, often they would have their own, as it was more convenient for them.

I know they are expensive, but you would be able to take it from job to job, so you may decide it's worth it.

Just think, what if you do have to make some kind of emergency journey, and he doesn't have one? Or what if the parents inform you that from Tuesday, he has horseriding lessons booked every week, or whatever.

Or find a new job.

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 11:11

Luckily school is 2 min walk so would never drive.

Thinking about it even the baby is in the wrong CARSEAT

OP posts:
catkind · 21/01/2013 11:08

Never mind the high back booster, if he's 3 yr old size he prob needs a Stage 1 5 point harness job. Would be safer anyway if he's going to try to escape. Stick to your guns OP, no driving even to school without legal safe seat.

senua · 21/01/2013 11:07

I was going to say that this will probably end up as a SuperNanny scenario but didn't post it as I thought that I was being a bit melodramatic. On second thoughts ...

This is not going to end well. Start looking for a better family position!

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 11:00

Very much the four year old when mum and dad are about.
This is the child who decides he won't have breakfast until 5mins before we need to be out for school as mum lets him do that

OP posts:
yousankmybattleship · 21/01/2013 11:00

Well if there is no usable car seat then you have a duty of care to refuse to taek him in your car. I agree with you that there is no reason why you should pay for a seat yourself.

senua · 21/01/2013 10:59

Who is in charge here? The four year old? Hmm

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:59

Grass - have considered that but don't think they would pay for it

OP posts:
Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:58

Ive done that but don't feel it's safe, on inspection it's cracked. I haven't checked recently if its there but no doubt it's not.

OP posts:
GrassIsntGreener · 21/01/2013 10:57

Could you buy a car seat and file the receipt with them?

munchkinmaster · 21/01/2013 10:56

Ah cross post - get it out the garage!

yousankmybattleship · 21/01/2013 10:56

Can't you just take the carseat from the garage whenever you need it?

munchkinmaster · 21/01/2013 10:55

You explain to your employers that as part of your job you will teach wee boy to sit in a car seat. Pitch it as a favour. I bet you can even hire one to convince them. I bet you will get him sitting in it (might not do it for mum and dad though but that's hardly your problem).

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:55

They have a carseat which is currently sat in the garage gathering dust!

Yes I use my car, I could buy one but feel I shouldn't have to as they should supply one

OP posts:
NaturalBaby · 21/01/2013 10:54

If you drive past a car in public and a child is not restrained with a seatbelt - i.e breaking the law, can you phone the police? I've wondered when driving past obviously unrestrained kids before. I'd be very tempted if I knew a family that was doing this on a regular basis.

nannynick · 21/01/2013 10:53

You as driver are responsible.
Is it your own car? Could you not buy a seat?

yousankmybattleship · 21/01/2013 10:52

They are mentalists. You have to refuse to take him in your car without a car seat. Hopefully if you make it inconvenient for them they might do the right thing and buy a car seat. Some parents just don't deserve to have children.

Pourquoimoi · 21/01/2013 10:52

Autocorrect! I meant car seat!

Pourquoimoi · 21/01/2013 10:51

So they have got a caraway?, they just don't use it or give it to you to use?

Xmaspuddingsaga · 21/01/2013 10:50

Of course YANBU . Madness words fail me really.

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:50

I love my job and in every other way they are great employers. It's just the CARSEAT thing that annoys me

OP posts:
Pourquoimoi · 21/01/2013 10:50

If it stops you taking other children out I would tell them you can no longer take their dc unless they provide a car seat.

Tell them the law etc again and say you are unwilling to do anything illegal. They won't find another childminder willing to break the law as they may lose registration.

They can get a cheap car seat for less than the cost of a couple of days of childcare.

Some people really have NO sense! (Them, Not you!!)