Childminder is a smoker

It wouldn't put me off if they were perfect in every other way. Nursery staff could smoke and you wouldn't necessarily know. The same goes for teachers once your child goes to school.

Hang on, I didn’t realise it was in the policies and not the contrast. Did she give you the policies well in advance to allow you to read them before signing the contract? Or did she give them to you after you signed?

As an ex smoker it would totally put me off.

My dds dad smoked. She stank when she came back from his. I could smell her coat in the back of the car. My best friend smokes. I rewrap the Christmas presents she sends as they smell.

I wouldn't leave my 9 month old with her. Did you sign the contract before you had seen these policies re smoking? If so I would ask to be released as you were unaware of the smoking and assumed that whilst she was working it wouldn't even be a question that needs answering.

It would put me off to but I know most of the ladies at my kids' Nursery smoke as I've seen them at it behind the bike shed.
However I have never smelt smoke on them, think they are very good at disguising with gum or something.

Genuine question. How does someone smoking outside cause ear infections?

I ruled out an otherwise nice childminder because her house smelled of smoke. I think it was actually another family member, but it just felt stuffy and horrible. I also tend to be quite negative if the kids see a stranger smoking and ask what it is, and wouldn’t necessarily want them to have a role model who smokes. It’s not just like any other vice as other posters have said - it damages people near by as well as the smoker.

I removed my child from a situation like this because after popping in early one day to collect her husband was smoking in the kitchen.

A gp on a program the other day also told a Dad of a child with repetitive ear infections that even smoking outside could be damaging because it was still on your clothes.

Thirdhand smoke is a crock of shit relatively new concept, and -cranks researchers are still creating studying its possible dangers.

My staff are not allowed to smoke in their nursery uniform and certainly not anywhere on the premises inside or out, not even within sight of the building
None of my staff smoke thankfully

If you were otherwise happy before then personally I would give her a chance. Perhaps she only smokes in the evening and that's why she smelled so strongly on this occasion? If you ever smell smoke on your baby then that is a different story and I would withdraw from the contract, but otherwise the fact that she smokes wouldn't necessarily be a deal-breaker for me. If you've spent so long looking then you may not have much choice anyway.

Thirdhand smoke is residual nicotine and other chemicals left on indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke. People are exposed to these chemicals by touching contaminated surfaces or breathing in the off-gassing from these surfaces. This residue is thought to react with common indoor pollutants to create a toxic mix including cancer causing compounds, posing a potential health hazard to nonsmokers — especially children.Thirdhand smoke clings to clothes, furniture, drapes, walls, bedding, carpets, dust, vehicles and other surfaces long after smoking has stopped. The residue from thirdhand smoke builds up on surfaces over time. To remove the residue, hard surfaces, fabrics and upholstery need to be regularly cleaned or laundered. Thirdhand smoke can't be eliminated by airing out rooms, opening windows, using fans or air conditioners, or confining smoking to only certain areas of a home.

Children and nonsmoking adults might be at risk of tobacco-related health problems when they inhale, swallow or touch substances containing thirdhand smoke. Infants and young children might have increased exposure to thirdhand smoke due to their tendency to mouth objects and touch affected surfaces.

Thirdhand smoke is a relatively new concept, and researchers are still studying its possible dangers. In the meantime, the only way to protect nonsmokers from thirdhand smoke is to create a smoke-free environment.

Also, regarding the contract, I would be honest with her and say you would never have signed the contract if you had seen the terms and conditions and had known that she smoked.

I would find an alternative. Yes nursery workers smoke too and it is a concern as well.

I would have w big problem with this

You do have a choice because she stank of smoke when she came to look after him. So you don’t believe she will uphold the contract.

I’d be totally put off, even more if I’d had a relative die of lung cancer. The third hand smoke will be all over her. The only thing that would persuade me is if she wears a ‘smoking coat’ to smoke in which she takes off, and puts away - not near the kids coats. And obviously washes her hands.

At school you can smell the kids bags that come from smoking homes. It’s disgusting.

No way. I wouldn't want my children to be cuddling someone who smelled of smoke. Gross.

It would put me off too but I don’t know if it’s irrational because your kids could go to a nursery and the staff might all smoke. If she’s not smoking in the house and as you say the house doesn’t smell is it really any different than that?

Am surprised she hasn’t given up though most people do not want smokers near their kids.

Burn her at the stake.

I'm too precious to leave DD with a smoker too. Even if they don't smoke near the children, there will be traces all over the place.
Is it too late to find someone else?

As long as she doesn't do it around the children and only outside, I really can't see the issue if she is lovely in every other way. Everyone has their vices.

I wouldn’t use her either. I’m quite surprised she “passed” as a childminder (I know that isn’t the correct phrase.)