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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be scared to death our childminder has erected a swimming pool in her garden?

139 replies

NotAnotherNewNappy · 25/07/2012 18:45

Just picked the DS's up from our normally lovely CM to find she now has a pool in her garden Shock

It's one of those big paddling pools (about 3 foot high, 8 foot wide - I only had a quick look). She explained it was for the bigger kids and that she bought the bigger size so DS (14mo) wouldn't be able to climb into it. Now the thought of DS somehow managing to push a step to it and climb in unnoticed has left me feeling queasy. I also have a 4yo DD, but I think she's big enough to stand up in it... But does this mean it's safe for her?

AIBU? I have suffered PND and anxiety so have no idea. All I know is drowning is the second most common reason for death among young children and that if she'd had the bloody thing when I was looking for a CM then I'd never have hired her.

OP posts:
carabos · 25/07/2012 19:07

My cousin drowned in the pool in his family's garden. He was three. The shock and guilt of it probably contributed to his father's untimely death shortly after.

Question your CM very closely about how she is managing the risk - throw every unlikely scenario you can think of at her, because for sure that's the thing that will happen.

Stateofplay · 25/07/2012 19:08

YANBU. It is dangerous and I wouldn't send my DC to a child under with it up. In fact we have one of those pools - big enough for four adults - but decided not to put it up once DC were walking, for the next few years, when they are much older children and can swim.

As another poster said I would not bet my child's life on her carer - which included me and DH - not ever being distracted for one minute.

However for the best outcome - child minder agreeing to either take pool down or only use at weekends - you need to handle this carefully.

I would send her a nicely-toned email with all your concerns listed and link to drowning statistics and a child water safety video (lots of YouTube showing different scenarios a child can drown in back garden). Id ask her to meet me and talk through concerns, risks, ways your DD could potentially drown in it. After that she won't reasonably - hopefully - have any choice but to agree with you.

Good luck!

DilysPrice · 25/07/2012 19:08

YANBU. Ask for her risk assessment, and if you're not 100% happy then tell her you'll leave if it's not taken down.

onebigwish · 25/07/2012 19:09

I'd be worried about that.

I worry enough about the tiny paddling pool in our garden. I fill it, supervise for half an hour and then tip all the water out again.

I know all it will take is for me to run inside to get something and get momentarily distracted and that could easily be long enough for my 2 year old to trip over the side.

LynetteScavo · 25/07/2012 19:12

Hmmm....I imagine it would be very difficult to care for more than a couple of children and adequately supervise the pool. She will have to bring all the chidlren in from the garden if she needs to fetch anything (drink from the kitchen, forgotten towel).

YANBU,

Theas18 · 25/07/2012 19:12

Anyone know what ofstead says about this sort of thing- is it actually appropriate?

GoEasyPudding · 25/07/2012 19:13

Covered or uncovered, if this was me I'm afraid I wouldn't be leaving my DC's with the CM anymore.

sheeplikessleep · 25/07/2012 19:15

YANBU.

It would concern me too.

BillyBollyBandy · 25/07/2012 19:17

Have you posted this in the childminder/nanny section? The experts will know!

Original poster
NotAnotherNewNappy · 25/07/2012 19:23

I am in bits now. The more I think about it the more dangerous I feel it is. She said she'd keep it covered when not in use, but I can just imagine my eldest trying to climb in when the cover was on Sad

It looks like she will have up to 6 kids there during the summer holidays - mostly much older (8,9 &12).

OP posts:
IsLovingAndGiving · 25/07/2012 19:24

I had to sign consent forms for my dcs to go in a little paddling pool at childminder's house - I didn't sign though as I'd be too worried about it. I would definitely not be happy about this. My 14 month old dd can climb a ladder on to a midsleeper, so definitely couldn't be trusted near a pool.

5madthings · 25/07/2012 19:24

has it got a fence round it? only i bought a new paddling pool today which is NOT as big as that one at all, and it says on it that there are now council by laws or rules about if you have on more than a ceratin size theyare subject to condition such as having to have a fence around it! i laughed at the thought of my 1mtr paddling pool needing a fence round it but obviously i am always in the garden when mine are playing etc.

a childminder should have done a risk assesment and you should ask to see a copy of this and i would want to know about covers to keep it safe, also even how often she will empty it and clean it etc.

HerRoyalNotness · 25/07/2012 19:25

An unfenced pool is a dangerous pool. Apart from the danger to her mindees, is she going to leave it filled? How about a curious neighbours child that finds its way into her garden. This would be a big NO for me.

controlpantsandgladrags · 25/07/2012 19:26

Yanbu at all. My dds cm isn't allowed a climbing frame for health and safety reasons ; I very much doubt a pool is allowed. I would express your concerns to her and then contact the council and ofsted if she doesn't take you seriously.

C0smos · 25/07/2012 19:30

I have a pool in my back garden (not posh, live overseas) so i was about to say YABU as mine has a taught net and is perfectly safe. However I see that it not actually a swimming pool but a giant paddling pool - sorry but I wouldn't leave my kids there, kids can drown in seconds and it is very easy for kids to topple into, I imagine it also has solid colour sides so you wouldn't even see a child in it unless you were standing next to it??

ANTagony · 25/07/2012 19:32

I can agree with your concern. What childcare options do you have open to you? It appears your childminder is looking after an enormous age range of children this summer. I would call her out of hours no children to distract from conversation and voice my concerns - principally lack of fence and one adult present what if the phone rings etc.

Original poster
NotAnotherNewNappy · 25/07/2012 19:52

No fence, it's a temporary pool. I have posted in CM section for advice. I'm trying to get the DC asleep then will give her a call and explain I don't think it's a risk I am willing to take.

OP posts:
PomBearWithAnOFRS · 25/07/2012 19:56

Wasn't there a case last year where a group of neighbours clubbed together for one of those big "easy up" type pools, and they were made told they had to have a fully qualified life guard there at all times it was in use, and it had to be securely fenced when the lifeguard wasn't there. It made the papers, possibly the year before last.

Fresh01 · 25/07/2012 20:06

YANBU we spent time living in Oz where there are a lot more home pools and legislation. There is a website called Hannah's Foundation (sorry can't do links) www.hannahsfoundation.org.au. It was very sadly setup by a lady whose wee girl very tragically drowned in their home pool. She is now campaigning to prevent other children drowning. There is a lot of information in the section "campaigns" under "pool safety". Yes, a lot of the information and videos refer to oz and permanent pools but the drowning statistics are sadly given. It may give you some basis to discuss with your Childminder.

My brother in law has a pool like the one you describe and it takes over 4 hours to fill and. A couple of hours to drain so she isn't going to be doing that daily.

Jenny70 · 25/07/2012 20:19

I agree it's dangerous.

Possibly when she is outside with the kids it's OK, with slightly older children there too, they can nip in to get stuff etc and she can stay by the pool.

But what if a back door is left unlocked, possibly by one of the older children, and a younger one sneaks out?

Better to get a mini-temporary style pool and empty it each time.

KissMyEmbroideryHoop · 25/07/2012 21:53

Fresh yes....people have them properly fenced off in Oz...there have been a lot of drownings.

CrocSaysTickTock · 25/07/2012 22:06

Crikey, you poor thing. I'd be in bit too if my CM suddenly had a pool too. I can;t believe there has been no consultation with parents. TBH even with much older children I'd be unhappy with this.

As hard as it would be I think I would contact her to ay DC not coming until the pool is removed. The risk is just not worth it.

Plus, I'd be bloody furious because you ought to have been consulted before the damn thing was put up in the first place. How are you meant to trust her judgement in the future after this?

StealthPolarBear · 25/07/2012 22:11

"Add message | Report | Message poster shineypenny Wed 25-Jul-12 18:52:20
If your CM is likely to leave your 14mo for long enough that he can somehow push a step up to a swimming pool and climb in, he could also have time to set fire to the house or unlock the front door and escape "
I think the risks are much smaller than her wanting to join in with the big kids

urbanproserpine · 25/07/2012 22:17

I would not be able to sleep at night if I had one of those for fear the DCs would get in it. I even feel like that if we leave a paddling pool out overnight, in case they got outside early morning ( you dont know my kids). I'm paranoid if the paddling pool is out anyway as I can't see my garden from the kitchen....

HappyAsChips · 25/07/2012 22:18

Yanbu. If I were you, I'd be looking for another childminder.