Do I need to pay for this?

[tryingharder92]

My kids, nearly 3 and 8 months, have just started to go to a local childminder. This is their third week and they seem happy. It all seems to be going well. When we started we were asked to bring a drink each for the kids (water or juice). My daughter takes weak diluted juice and my son just water. Anyway today I go to pick them up and I was told my daughter had spilled her drink in the sofa (very nice light coloured fabric sofa) and that if it didn't come off she would have to have it cleaned and would I pay for it. Now I think it will come off with a good wash but if it doesn't will I be responsible for this at all. It's hardly unusual when having toddlers and drinks is it? Aibu to say no?

If she is taking this approach I would ask to see proof of what insurance she has in a wider sense - if her furniture isn't insured, how can you know that she has liability insurance in the event your DC suffered serious injuries in her care?

I would say no. But also if you did give in and pay this you would open a can of worms to paying for every marks or spill. If your child vomits or has an accident then you wouldn’t surely have to pay to have things cleaned then too. The list could never end.

That’s so weird. She’s their childminder, she’s supposed to be supervising them. If your DD spilt her drink on her sofa, that’s the childminder’s fault not a 3yo child’s.

Don't pay. Big red flag.

Ask to see her current childminding registration and insurance.

Risk assessment is a very important part of her paid job.

She failed to anticipate or prevent a very common domestic accident involving small children. BIGGER RED FLAG.

I'd be very concerned she has also failed to anticipate risks to your childrens health and safety within her home, and has no liability insurance for any accidents/injuries to them.

For that agegroup, Childminder registration is a legal requirement . She MUST must be registered, fully insured and pass a CRB check, if she's being paid to care for them in her home.

www.gov.uk/become-childminder-nanny

Sound like a cf to me

I previously used a childminder who was brilliant. However, she did have in her contract that if a child caused permanent damage to toys/furniture, the parents would be liable for damage.

in saying that, I know over time several things were damaged by others and no money towards replacements were ever requested. I think it was so there was some level of accountability.