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Original poster

uncomfortable with childminder driving my dd about

108 replies

mollynp · 04/09/2009 20:59

i don't know what is considered normal, so if anyone can help, please do! my dd is starting with a childminder next week. my other two sons were looked after by in-laws so have no experience of childminders.
Basically is it normal for childminders to take kids out in the car much if they don't need to (i.e. don't need to drive to schools, etc.)?
i am really uncomfortable about someone i don't really know driving about with my dd, when i don't know how skilfull a driver she is, or how safe her car seat is/if it is correctly fitted. I am very anal about car seats, and my dd has a stage 1 rear facing one in our car. so i'm also not really happy about her being forward facing in the car.
Is it acceptable to ask her not to take her out in the car? or if i'm uncomfortable with dd being forward facing, should i buy another rear facing seat for her car (£200-250)?
Also the car has loads of scrapes and dents in the side, which doesn't make me entirely confident!!

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haventsleptforayear · 04/09/2009 21:30

It's not THAT much hassle to fit a car seat if you are used to it, surely?

If it's a stage 1 rear facing one can't you just lift it out and put it in another car?

haventsleptforayear · 04/09/2009 21:29

I would say the alternative is your child sits at home with the cm and watches TV all day.

Is that what you want?

Here (not UK) apparantly you can put in the contract whether you want the cm to drive your child or not.

You'll be regretting it if you forbid it when you need the cm to run your child to the doctor's/pick sth up for you/go and pick your other DC up etc etc.

Plus they'll hate you and think you are a total wierdo!

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 04/09/2009 21:28

I would feel the same.

If you don't want her to drive your dd you need to get that in writing or tell her first as she might not want to take you child on.

choosyfloosy · 04/09/2009 21:26

£200 for car seat???

Original poster
mollynp · 04/09/2009 21:26

it would be too much hassle to fit a car seat in her car every time we took her, we would have to get another one.
i never even thought that the car might not be roadworthy! surely a childminder wouldn't take kids out in her car if it wasn't, as she couldn't get insurance?!

OP posts:
IdontMN2makecopyforlazyjournos · 04/09/2009 21:25

If you don't trust the woman, why leave your child with her?

colditz · 04/09/2009 21:24

No, it's not acceptable to not let your child be in the car. Buy a new seat if it ,makes you feel better.

nannynick · 04/09/2009 21:19

You are using a service, so you can't dictate how that service is provided... so no, I do not feel you can ask her not to take your DD out in the car.
However, you should ask about travel arrangements... what sort of trips would be typical, what car seat would be used (your CM may well accept you providing your own car-seat, though don't expect it back at the end of each day).
The car needs to be road worthy and have suitable insurance. So ask to see the latest MOT certificate, insurance document.