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?

Leaving a child unattended is against the terms of her registration so is as serious as it gets in childminding terms.

If you make a complaint they will investigate.

Is she is leaving your DD in the car at school where else could she leave her? I've seen babies in cars outside the shops.

I'd have to find someone as this doesn't sit right with me.

Wow.. would definitely be removing my children from this care provider, and reporting to Ofstead!

I’d remove and tell her why. I wouldn’t be giving her another chance at all because how would you ever trust her? She’ll say she’s taking her out of the car from now on but will she?

@HaggardMumofToddler
I've worked in a nursery and have been a childminder for 19 years. Nurseries can shut their doors and you don't know what's going on. Childminders know they are being scrutinised when they're out and about. Contrary to what you may think, we are not ' all over the place' and unregulated- far from it!!
The nursery I worked at were very good at talking the talk and hiding stuff ( one reason why I left)- it's very hard for childminders to do that as they usually work alone and the buck stops with them! I regularly take 7 or 8 children to school- they are in my sight at all times and they know what I expect from them and behave accordingly. We have to follow the exact same early years framework etc as preschools and nurseries, and it annoys me when people think we're worth less.....

I think you have to leave and I think you have to report to Ofsted.

Not a chance would my child be going back. You shouldn't have to check if their standards of safety are the same as yours! There should absolutely be no question whatsoever that your child is being properly safeguarded and you should be able to trust her implicitly. That trust has now been eroded. Would you ever trust her again, op? I don't think I'd be able to.

@Ginnesaisquoi

Report to the relevant authorities. This is not the first time she's done this, and it won't be the last. I have seen it before. Childminders leaving children alone while they pop to the shops, shoved in the conservatory while they do their housework, and even left for 2 hours with their unqualified DH (who has been on nights,) while she goes to a lunchtime job in a bar.

Many childminders are great, but the bad ones are rotten and dangerous.

She needs to be removed from her role as childminder to ANY child.

Report to OFSTED and the council

www.gov.uk/complain-about-school/childminders

NEVER let this woman look after your kids again.

Sorry you are going through this, and I hope you can sort it all out/find alternative care for your child.

*alternative care for your 'children' (not child.)