Childminder leaving child in car

[Ginnesaisquoi]

We have recently found a childminder to look after DD(nearly 2) in the day and collect DD(6) from school a couple of days a week.

Childminder seems very nice and friendly, is on the PTA and very involved with the school - all good.

Today I had a meeting at the school, which I left work early to attend, I’d asked her to collect the girls as usual. As I approached the school at 3:35 I noticed her car, with DD2 sat in the back, alone. The childminder then came around the corner with the children she had collected from school. I was a bit taken aback so didn’t say much, just said I’d run in for the meeting and then would collect DDs straight after.

Her car was parked maybe a minute or twos walk from the main entrance and was not within sight of the school, school finishes at 15:15 so it’s possible DD was alone for 20 minutes. I asked DD6 and she said that the childminder always leaves DD2 to wait in the car.

I would never leave DD alone in the car, something could crash into the car, it could be stolen, she might be sick or anything really.

Maybe I’m overreacting but I want to remove the children from her as I feel the trust is gone, but practically there were no other childcare options, she is very friendly with the other childminder that covers the school, and also very friendly with the class teacher.

So if you’re still reading, AIBU to want to remove the children immediately. What would I even say to her?

I'd just ask her outright why your daughter was left in the car alone. That it is something you aren't happy with and would not be comfortable doing yourself.

YANBU. Two is very little to be left in the car alone for potentially 20 minutes! Presumably childminder doesn't pitch up late for pick-up every day and is there for when school ends, so if she was only appearing back at the car at 3.35pm, it does suggest your DD was left there a while.

Could you ask her to take DD out of the car at pick-up times? Or do you feel you wouldn't trust her now even if she said she would do so in future?

Just tell her your not happy and she’s to take her out of the car with her.

Not acceptable for a 2 year old whatsoever

She should not be leaving children alone in the car.

I definitely wouldn’t be happy with that! I wouldn’t do that with my own children so I wouldn’t expect anyone else to either. I’m probably overly cautious but I think that lack of judgment would put me off of them completely no matter what redeeming features they possessed

Yeah that's not on!
Contact the other childminder to ask if they have space!

As an ex childminder myself, not only would I remove my children from her care, I would make a formal complaint and copy it to Ofsted.

Childminders who let children play in an enclosed garden while they are in the house are criticised by Ofsted. They would not find this practice acceptable.

This is totally unacceptable.

Well where I live it’s illegal to leave a child alone in a car. Definitely tell her not to do it again.

I would not be able to trust this person’s judgement, and would call Ofsted to check whether this was ok safety regulation wise

Our ex childminder did similar - left DD (4) & another child in a car on a busy road while she collected her dry cleaning. DD told me that evening. We left her services shortly after this. Not on.

As a former CM I would never leave a child of that age unattended for any reason, especially in a car. She is totally out of order. If she really is your only option, I'd have a strong word and say that your DD is never to be left unattended again. She will know that this is unacceptable and will hopefully be mortified to have been found out. If she is anything other than totally apologetic and reassuring that it will never happen again, you need to find another alternative.

No it's not acceptable at all. 2 mins maybe if the car was in sight at all times. 20, absolutely not.

A rare AIBU OP - everyone thinks you are NOT unreasonable!

would call Ofsted to check whether this was ok safety regulation wise you know its not ok. Ofsted would come down on her hard, so don't pretend you'd call them to check - if you call them you're reporting her.

as well you should be btw

That’s outrageous. She wouldn’t be near my child again anytime soon and I would report her to Ofsted. Imagine what on earth other appealing judgements she is making while looking after other people’s children?

Not a chance I would accept that. At 2, anything could happen and she's a dick for thinking it's acceptable. You pay by the hour and for a large portion of that hour she had no idea if your DD was safe. Report to ofsted.

God no. Get rid immediately.

I'd be looking for another childminder. What else is she doing? I guarantee this won't be the only corner she's cutting

No frickin way!! I'd be removing my dc from her care.

Even if you approached her about it, how could you trust her judgement on anything anymore?! And when else is she leaving the DC alone?! So irresponsible.

I wouldn't leave my own 2 year old in a car out of sight for any amount of time, let alone anyone else's child!

I have observed some interesting childminder practices at our primary school too, including children left in cars. Parking is tricky so one CM arrives an hour early and sits with her younger mindees waiting for school to finish. I often look at them and think I wouldn't be happy to pay for a toddler of mine to spend an hour sat in a parked car every day

Wow- completely unacceptable! I would have kicked off massively if I was you- and I’m generally a very reserved person.

I'm a childminder. No way on earth would I leave a child in the car on their own