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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if this would put you off using the childminder?

212 replies

Writerwannabe83 · 02/10/2014 19:30

Me and DH are currently in the process of searching for a childminder ready for when I return after Maternity. Depending on when I go back DS will be 9 or 12 months of age.

I met two childminders last week and neither of them felt right and the idea of leaving DS with them made me feel quite anxious. I told my DH I didn't want to use either of them. There was nothing specific about them that I didn't like but my gut instinct was that they weren't right for DS.

Tonight we met a 3rd one (and her husband and children) and she was really lovely. I instantly warmed to her, the house was really child friendly and there were toys everywhere and lots of stimulating games and activities and I just felt really comfortable talking to her and being in her company, as did my DH.

However, before we left she mentioned she had 6 dogs Hmm There are two poodles, two shnausers (no idea how to spell it) a Doberman and a Bulldog. She showed me where they are kept and they have their own area which although is part of the house they are caged in so don't have access to the main house. It's a nice big space, lots of beds and underfloor heating and they have their own door that leads to their own fenced off and secure part of the garden - they are not able to access the main garden area.

Am I being unreasonable to feel uneasy about the dogs and not send DS to her because of them even though she is perfect in every other way?

My DH thinks I'm worrying too much and he'd have no problem sending DS there. But I just don't know.

OP posts:
Osmiornica · 02/10/2014 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Siennasun · 02/10/2014 20:10

Is she really keeping her dogs caged all day?
Either she doesn't treat her dogs well or she's lying to you.
Either way I wouldn't consider her for a second.

PicandMinx · 02/10/2014 20:13

This would put me off. One dog is a definite no no. Six dogs - absolutely no way.

Ionacat · 02/10/2014 20:14

My childminder has dogs, two very large ones! They are kept securely away from the children at all times, and also have their own part of the garden. I really don't like dogs and I didn't want to pass this onto DD and she is fine with dogs (but only large ones!) The childminder does allow with our permission DD to have supervised access to one of the dogs, they stroke her, play ball etc. but this is totally supervised and maybe 30 minutes once a week. I would perhaps speak to one of the other parents there, mine was happy for me to talk to other parents but she only lives up the road and I knew her by reputation first.
BTW, these dogs are walked by her husband first thing and then again when he gets back from work or by her once all the children have gone. They look very well looked after and happy and very well controlled. (Have seen the family out with them and the dogs walk to heel and respond first time to commands.) So it didn't put me off! I personally think cats are more difficult as you can't control/train them in the same way. But no allergies to fur here.

Aeroflotgirl · 02/10/2014 20:16

His can she walk 6 dogs and keep charge of her minders. Has she got an assistant?

SqueakyChicken · 02/10/2014 20:17

I think that how she looks after her dogs actually has nothing to do with you, or how well she can look after your children.

I don't see a problem with having dogs that are separated, no matter how many there are. If you do see a problem, don't pick her.

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 02/10/2014 20:18

The dogs aren't caged as such - what I meant was that their area of the house was caged off. They'd had a type of conservatory built to house the dogs and where the conservatory meets the main house there is like a large/long stair gate (for want of a better description) to separate the dog's living area from the home. There is a door in the dog's section which is always open and leads out to their secure part of the garden.

I take on board all comments though about how can she tend to the 6 dogs during the day whilst doing her childminding job. Her own children are older (3,6 and 21) so can entertain themselves I suppose. When we arrived she was surprised to see I had arrived with a baby although I'm sure I had previously told her how old DS was.

OP posts:
onarailwaytrain · 02/10/2014 20:21

I would also be put off by her not making it explicit immediately - she seems almost to mention this as an afterthought.

We have 2 Labs and I adore dogs. I really do. But even I as a self confessed dog lover would pause before sending children to a childminder with six of them.

LuxuryTrifle · 02/10/2014 20:24

Gut instinct is what I used with all childcare - helped a lot and was always reliable. I would be ok with her setup especially the careful separate security.

PicandMinx · 02/10/2014 20:25

So the dogs are just a stair gate away!! No. No. No. the house must smell with 6 dogs - yuck

LuxuryTrifle · 02/10/2014 20:26

Ah but good point from others - I assumed someone else was caring for them all day, if they are in separate area. But if she is caring for the dogs at same time that would really hinder her ability to focus on the LOs.

WD41 · 02/10/2014 20:27

One dog would put me off let alone six

CheerfulYank · 02/10/2014 20:28

Hmmm, I don't know.

I am a CM with one dog and that's hard enough sometimes. He is lovely with them (9 year old Golden retriever) and the parents know about him and are happy with him. He comes in after lunch to eat the food the toddlers have thrown on the floor :o and sometimes at quiet time when the little ones are sleeping to lie on the floor and sleep while the older two watch a DVD. The rest of the time he is either outside or in the entryway where his food and water and bed are (it has a door so it is secure). I take him out and feed him before anyone comes and walk him in the evenings.

However, that's one dog, and I only have chkdren three days a week.

If she seems lovely in other ways I would bring it up to her and see if she can address your concerns, or maybe talk to other parents who send their DC there?

Surreyblah · 02/10/2014 20:28

Would be totally put off!

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 02/10/2014 20:29

It's such a hard situation because she was just so nice. We sat for ages just chatting to her and her DH whilst DS rolled about on the floor whilst being entertained by the 3 year old Smile She came across as so professional (especially when compared to the other ones we met) and she produced a lovely portfolio for us to take away which was really detailed about the training she's had, the services she offers and a while section about her family - the dogs are mentioned here Smile

OP posts:
cerealqueen · 02/10/2014 20:30

The very fact you have posted is that you are uneasy, don't place your DS anywhere you feel uneasy. I would be a big no for me, that isn't just a dog, it is a pack of dogs.

formerbabe · 02/10/2014 20:32

I would never use a childminders which had a dog...especially if my child was still a baby. I don't think babies and dogs mix...plus I always worry about the hygiene issues.

heebiegeebie · 02/10/2014 20:32

I'm a dog person and it's a no from me.

SocialMediaAddict · 02/10/2014 20:32

I love dogs but 6! When do they get walked/attention??

It would totally put me off. I looked after my parents two dogs for a long weekend and it was bloody hard work with my 3 kids.

onarailwaytrain · 02/10/2014 20:34

Writer, I wouldn't personally have any concerns about the dogs attacking a child. Most dogs wouldn't - you have to be careful of course, but mostly they just wouldn't.

But I would seriously be concerned by the fact I just don't see how six dogs and many children can be adequately cared for, I really don't.w

Purplepoodle · 02/10/2014 20:34

Go back for a second visit and ask her about the dogs. Explain your a little nervous and see if she can answer your questions.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 02/10/2014 20:35

I'm not the biggest fan of dogs but one of the smaller dogs might not put me off but the number and breed of some of the dogs you're talking about here definitely would.

NoMoreHappyMrsChicken · 02/10/2014 20:38

We had a similar experience but 3 dogs, not 6. Yes, it put me off.

I love dogs, but wouldn't trust any one around a child. For that reason if my baby were in the same area as one, I would want to be the one supervising.

Moreisnnogedag · 02/10/2014 20:39

I would go on how you felt about her (but yes, do ask who walks them etc).

She seems to have a much better handle on it than one CM I saw. You could hear this dog going nuts and scrabbling at a closed door and she 'tried' to reassure me by saying it was a rescue and she was just getting a handle on its temperament! That'll be a no then.

ImperialBlether · 02/10/2014 20:42

No way.

For one thing, I really don't believe someone has six dogs and doesn't have anything to do with them from 8 am to 6 pm. When does she feed them, walk them, play with them?

I wouldn't take the risk.