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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

about my childminder? am I being too precious?

27 replies

miamibeach · 11/12/2012 17:51

My dd (2) goes to a childminder 3 days a week as I only work part-time.

She has probably around 10 children there, however some are in school during the day.

I drop my dd off this morning and the childminder informs me that she's just bought a new puppy.

Whilst a puppy is fine, that puppy will grow up to be a dog and I'm not sure I feel comfortable having my dd around a dog whilst I am not there.

Am I being too precious?

OP posts:
NothingIsAsBadAsItSeems · 11/12/2012 17:53

It is possible to keep the puppy away from the children

It is also possible to train a child and a puppy on the correct ways to interact together

Sirzy · 11/12/2012 17:54

I think she should have told you before she got it, and also made it clear what is in place to keep the children safe.

Would you have picked her as a childminder if she had a dog at the time?

PenguinBear · 11/12/2012 17:54

YANBU, is the dog is from one of the more dangerous breeds?

YourHandInMyHand · 11/12/2012 17:56

Did she give you an updated copy of her pet policy stating how she would keep the dog and the kids safe?

Would you have chosen her if she had had a dog from the start?

PartridgeInASpicyPearTree · 11/12/2012 17:56

No, and I say that as a childless dog lover with two dogs.

Puppies scratch and play bite, and if nut trained properly even gentle ones can accidentally hurt children. I think it's totally unacceptable for a childminder to get a dog without discussing with parents and giving deals of how any interactions will be managed, giving you a chance to find alternative care for your child.

LynetteScavo · 11/12/2012 17:58

About 10 children made me laugh.

It can't be 10, surely?

And yes the puppy will grow up to be a dog, but it should be kept away from minded children at all times. I can't remember now what Ofsted stipulates. Ask you CM, she will know. I expect the dog will be kept away from the DC.

I know of lots of CM who have dogs, and one who also has an animal hotel, boarding dogs, as well as caring for DC, but I don't think the two actually interact.

MardyBra · 11/12/2012 17:58

10 kids sounds a lot.

Seabird72 · 11/12/2012 17:59

She should inform you of any plans to make changes to her household as you placed your dd in her care before she got the puppy. Are you sure she's registered with Ofsted? 10 children seems alot even if some are at school during the day. There are usualy limits on how many children she can have at any one time and I think they would expect her to inform all parents that she was thinking of getting a puppy. Even if the puppy is kept away from the children or is a lovely friendly pupy that the kids love - it's just the polite thing to do to inform the parents - what if a child had an allergy? It would be very unfair for a parent to turn up with their child not knowing a puppy was now in the house and then basically having to find a new childminder at very short notice because it would cause problems for the child's allergies.

LynetteScavo · 11/12/2012 17:59

And yes, I think out of courtesy she should have told you she was planning on getting a dog.

TidyDancer · 11/12/2012 18:00

10 children staggered across the week, right?

This likely wouldn't bother me as long as she had put management measures in place.

What breed?

Fuchzia · 11/12/2012 18:00

I depends. I turned down a lovely CM because she had two Staffies. A Yorkshire terrier on the other hand wouldn't have bothered me at all.

Original poster
miamibeach · 11/12/2012 18:00

I think if she had a dog when I first met her then I don't think I would have chosen her.

We don't have a dog so dd is not used to being around them, we have a cat who she likes to stroke but I always have to tell her to be gentle.

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 11/12/2012 18:02

I wouldn't want my child in that situation either OP. A CM I know recently got a dog but asked all thep agents first to make sure they were ok with it.

Original poster
miamibeach · 11/12/2012 18:02

I meant 10 children altogether across the week. Well I think 10, it could be less.

Some she only has in the morning, and some like my dd who only go a couple of days during the week.

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 11/12/2012 18:02

Agents? parents!

OwlLady · 11/12/2012 18:05

I didn't think they were allowed to have a dog/cat if ofsted hadn't approved it and reassessed?

SquishyCinnamonSwirls · 11/12/2012 18:13

Ofsted doesn't have to approve or assess if a cm has a pet in their home. What Ofsted does look at however, is the risk assessment that the cm has carried out and will ask the cm what they have in place to ensure the safety and well-being of the children they care for.

I already had my dog (and cat) when I began minding so everyone that visits and uses my service is aware of him from the beginning. He is also mentioned in my marketing so if people have an aversion to dogs then they can strike me from their list at the start.

laptopdancer · 11/12/2012 18:16

YANBU. I wouldn;t choose a childminder with a dog (just my preference) and I would look for another if he/she got one.

MrsReiver · 11/12/2012 18:26

YANBU, and I say this as a dog loving childminder. You should have been consulted before she made this decision, and I sincerely hope she's given you a copy of her new pet policy and risk assessments.

I think if she had a dog when I first met her then I don't think I would have chosen her.

That says it all - time to find a new childminder.

canoodle · 11/12/2012 18:30

Just to add OP that if you do decide to move childminders, don't worry about your dd. I thought it might really disrupt mine if I changed her routine but she didn't even notice that the cm was no longer in her life.

Ask her about her pet policy, and look for a new cm before the dog grows up. And do check the breed.

hippoherostandinghere · 11/12/2012 18:58

Yanbu. If my DCs childminder got a dog I would remove them from her care. And I don't say that lightly as I love the woman I just hate dogs that much.

BeataNoxPotter · 11/12/2012 19:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Delayingtactic · 11/12/2012 19:10

My CM spoke to us before getting a puppy, let us know the breed and that puppy training would be happening. She asked all parents and said that if the majority didn't want one she would not get one. If only a few objected then she would waive the notice period.

I would be pretty cheesed if it was just presented as a done deal.

Alisvolatpropiis · 11/12/2012 19:36

A relative of mine is/was a child minder (we don't speak often) and has always had a dog. I'm not sure whether she kept them separated from the children or not but I suspect she did.

If you wouldn't have chosen her if she had a dog to start with then you should just find a new childminder.

HappyMummyOfOne · 11/12/2012 19:49

YANBU, i'd not be happy to have childcare with a dog and would change if this was the case. I dont think breed is relevant, all dogs can bite etc.