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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shocked to see a childminder with 4 kids under 3

158 replies

Cornonthecob · 16/07/2015 13:08

In Lidl over lunchtime doing a big shop! Basket full and did not look like food for the kids, 3 toddlers around 2/3 and 1 child in a buggy! Definitely not her children!

Is this normal or acceptable? I would really like to know! My judgy pants up to my armpits right now!! Thanks

OP posts:
bobajob · 16/07/2015 13:10

She might be registered for 4 under 3, yes - normally it is 3 under 5 but you can apply for a variation.

A basketful isn't really a big shop, is it?

Snooksbury · 16/07/2015 13:10

How do you know they weren't her children? Or looking after a friends or relatives child?

ghostyslovesheep · 16/07/2015 13:10

did she have a big badge that said 'I am a child minder' on it Confused

was she T-rexing in the frozen isle?

AuntyMag10 · 16/07/2015 13:11

Goodness you are nosy!
How do you even know anything about her or those childrenConfused

SoupDragon · 16/07/2015 13:11

What exactly are you judging?

Zucker · 16/07/2015 13:11

How do know they were all under 3?

fatballerina · 16/07/2015 13:11

What's is got to do with you?Surely you have other things to occupy your day rather than watching people do their lidl shopping?Confused

googoodolly · 16/07/2015 13:12

How do you know she's a childminder? She could be watching her neighbours/sisters/friends kids as a favour.

Pull your judgy pants down, woman!

NerrSnerr · 16/07/2015 13:13

Omg. Call the papers. Woman goes to Lidl with small children and the food wasn't for them!!! (Was the basket full of wine?)

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 16/07/2015 13:14

Maybe she was looking after nieces and nephews as well as her own children.

I hope your tight judgey pants are causing you huge discomfort op.

LibrariesGaveUsPower · 16/07/2015 13:14

I thought that the point of a childminder was a family type environment. I wouldn't want mind going round the shops at length every day, but surely popping out for a basket of stuff is 'family environment' type stuff?

rockybalboa · 16/07/2015 13:14

How did you know she is a childminder? I quite often have more kids than a CM ratio would permit but it's just because I'm doing a favour for someone. I am baffled you would even notice such a thing in Lidl. Beak out methinks.

duckbilled · 16/07/2015 13:15

A childminder is allowed to do this under continuity of care, i.e. 2 of the children may have been siblings. This is a decision between the childminder and the parents who use her services, extra risk assessments have to be carried out.

How do you know what was in her basket wasn't for the kids.... Was it spilling over with vodka and condoms?
You would be surprised what we buy as childminders. My last shopping trip including 6 cans of shaving foam, a chicken, food colouring and pillowcases....all for work purposes.

I personally don't make it a regular thing, taking my mindees to the shops as its easier without them. However there are situations where it is necessary, or part of a planned activity.

wigglesrock · 16/07/2015 13:15

I too am confused with the subject of your judgement?
Is it the ratio ?
Lidl?
the non appropriate shopping in the basket?
the childminder doing her personal shopping?
This being MN it's probably the buggy?

cornishvanillacream · 16/07/2015 13:16

In all honesty its this sort of thing that has put me off using a childminder.

I don't want to pay money for my DDs to be taken round supermarkets (sorry.)

Mulligrubs · 16/07/2015 13:16

She might not be a childminder, she might be looking after her mates kids, they could be her kids, she might be a childminder who is registered to have more than 3 under 5s, you just don't know.

twirlypoo · 16/07/2015 13:16

I had a summer once when I looked after a friends 2yo twins, my nephews who were 4 and 1 and my niece who was 6. Did you judge me too?! cos I would have been in there with a basket of wine and chocolate

BleachEverything · 16/07/2015 13:16

How do you know they were all under 3 and how do you know she was a childminder? I didn't know childminders have badges on these days.

LuckyLopez · 16/07/2015 13:17

Op won't be back.

LaurieMarlow · 16/07/2015 13:17

What are you hoping to achieve by this thread OP Confused

NewsreaderChic · 16/07/2015 13:17

Well one less, but I had three under three and often went to the supermarket. Why should a childminder be any different?

cornishvanillacream · 16/07/2015 13:18

Actually I have seen childminders with those high vis vests a lot.

targaryen · 16/07/2015 13:19

How do you know she was a childminder?
How do you know they weren't her children and/or friends children?
How do you know the ages of the children?
How do you know what the shopping was?

Maybe they were her mindees, maybe it was ingredients to make cakes because they all begged her to make them.

Far too many variables here.

WayneRooneysHair · 16/07/2015 13:20

YABU OP, that's all I can muster myself to type as everyone else has asked the obvious questions.

FrenchJunebug · 16/07/2015 13:20

what is the fact she was doing shopping in Lidl 'not for the kids' has to do with anything?!

YABVU

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