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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Childminder cutting the grass while childminding

83 replies

yelnats · 14/11/2011 21:24

My dd told me this evening that her Childminder was cutting the grass this afternoon while she was minding her and 4 other children under 5. Am I being unreasonable to be annoyed about this?

OP posts:

Popbiscuit · 14/11/2011 21:25

YANBU.

NickNacks · 14/11/2011 21:27

As a cm myself yanbu!

Panzee · 14/11/2011 21:29

Can I ask why it's a problem? I'm not a childminder, but I do use one.

MyRealName · 14/11/2011 21:30

When my mum was a childminder, she was adored by parents and children alike because she looked after the children like her own. When I was a child, the grass often needed cutting...so was.

If she was not in control of the children or otherwise neglectful you would have cause for complaint.

ToothbrushThief · 14/11/2011 21:30

YANBU
You cannot mind anything whilst mowing and what's more it's a risky activity with DC around

nbee84 · 14/11/2011 21:30

She had 5 children under 5??? Unless she was working with an assistant this would not be allowed - let alone cutting the grass!

MmeLindor. · 14/11/2011 21:32

It would depend what age the other children were.

If 3 were babies, and in pram/buggy or bed, then fine.

Wouldn't she be over her limit with 5 under 5yos though?

MyRealName · 14/11/2011 21:32

Just reread she has 5 under 5. In that case, she must be superwoman to properly supervise them while doing that kind of job...

Meglet · 14/11/2011 21:33

yanbu.

I daren't mow the lawn unless the dc's are out or in bed. It only looks good when we have light summer evenings .

Sparklingbrook · 14/11/2011 21:35

Does the lawn really need mowing in the middle of November? Hardly an urgent job. I wouldn't be happy.

Original poster

yelnats · 14/11/2011 21:37

According to my dd (4) there were 4 other regular children there too and 2 of them I know for certain are 4, one 3 and not sure of the other wee boy, 3 I think.

I don't see how they can be properly supervised while cutting the grass. The kids were apparently in the garden playing while she done it. I am concerned about the safety of the kids and also the fact that she is paid to entertain/supervise them, not do household chores.

OP posts:

juuule · 14/11/2011 21:38

Agree with mmeLindor.

Also on the point that she is over her numbers if she has more than 3 under 5s.

tx12noone · 14/11/2011 21:41

If she's cutting her grass, she's not minding your child, which is what you're paying her to do. Find another childminder.

NickNacks · 14/11/2011 21:43

If the 4 yr olds are I'm reception then she isn't over numbers. She may also have a variation in place before we all condem this lady of over minding too!

auntiepicklebottom2 · 14/11/2011 21:45

yabu.

it shows them how to care for a garden.

my grass need cutting aswll it like a rain forest out there

NickNacks · 14/11/2011 21:46

Oh and cutting the grass is not a household chore which I think are fine to be carried out whilst minding. I will wash up, Hoover, sweep, fold clothes etc. All of which are usually done with eithe children helping or I'm still able to supervise them.

Bramshott · 14/11/2011 21:48

I choose a childminder because she provides a home-like environment and if that includes grass-cutting or other household chores then that's fine with me. However, I don't think my CM would cut the grass if there were 3 year olds there, unless they were napping.

Original poster

yelnats · 14/11/2011 21:57

Thanks everyone for your responses. I've calmed down a bit about it now. I don't think she has too many as she only has a few of them for a couple of hours at a time, for example one of them arrives half an hour or so before my dd is collected.

I've spoken to her and it won't happen again. I trust her completely but just feel that grass cutting while she's supposed to be entertaining/caring for my child is a bit inappropriate. No one pays me to cut my grass after all lol

OP posts:

juuule · 14/11/2011 22:01

"she's supposed to be entertaining/caring for my child "

'entertaining' your child?
I don't see why she couldn't be caring for your child while she is mowing the grass. Watching her mow the grass might be entertaining anyway for your child or maybe the child is happily playing. As long as she is not neglecting them I can't see what the problem is.

Sparklingbrook · 14/11/2011 22:06

Imagine, just imagine if something had happened to any of the children while CM was cutting the lawn. (Not necessarily involving the lawnmower). The big question would be why were they cutting the lawn? And everyone would be up in arms.

somedayma · 14/11/2011 22:09

I don't see a problem. Shrug

MogandMe · 14/11/2011 22:13

I am a nanny so slightly different but I have been known to rake the leaves in the garden, hang out the washing, cook dinner, pack a suitcase upstairs, put the bins out for the bin men, clean the bathroom whilst nannying. I don't really see an issue with the lawnmower if the children were occupied - maybe playing in a different part of the garden, or having quiet time.

fedupofnamechanging · 14/11/2011 22:14

Actually, you are paying a CM to care for your child in a home environment. CMs choose this particular job because it fits in with their own lives, to a degree. You are not paying for a nanny type service and have no right to demand that she is solely focussed on your child. If you want that, then you will pay a hell of a lot more than you currently do.

What you are entitled to is an assurance that your child is safe and well cared for and that a reasonable proportion of the day is geared towards stimulating activities for your child. Beyond that, how your CM organises her day is entirely her business.

Now, personally, I wouldn't be able to mow the lawn and care properly for the dc, so you are right to question how this was done, but if she managed that, then that's as much as you have a right to demand.

MogandMe · 14/11/2011 22:23

Agree with Karma - you are asking a childminder to care for your child in a home environment not entertain her all day. Sometimes jobs need to be done - see my post above (emptying dishwasher/packing for DC's trip to GP's etc) and sometimes it can't be all singing and dancing entertainment - would you really want it to be?

ihatecbeebies · 14/11/2011 22:46

Where do you live OP? if you live close to me (Scotland) then the cm is being completely unreasonable to be cutting the grass in November

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