To be annoyed that CM doesn’t use helmets..

[SarahJeffers341]

My daughter goes to a childminder and goes out on a bike. She is 3.5. She told me she doesn’t wear a helmet! This is a balance bike riding around the street. I always make her wear one with us and as a CM shouldn’t she be even more aware?! I took ours and told her I want her to wear is every time she’s on the bike.. she agreed but didn’t apologise and when they went out the other day (my daughter told me) the other two boys she looks after weren’t wearing them!

I just don’t get why you’d not think it was imperative! If one fell off surely she would be liable! I know she will now make my daughter wear hers but I’m annoyed she didn’t think it was an issue. Am IBU?!

Completely agree, a childminder should be responsible and if taking children out on bikes, best practice is to wear a helmet. If she doesn't want to provide the helmet, she needs to ask the parents or simply not take the children out on bikes.
If it's just bikes in a small garden, helmets not needed but for going out on roads/pavements a child needs to learn to wear a helmet.
As for not knowing, I get extremely limited info from my childminder on pick up, it's generally about their welbeing not what they've been doing. And my 3 year old tells me all sorts of nonsense, like they walked to a big toy shop (no such shop exists).

I am surprised too! I asked my mum and sister and they were shocked and wanted opinions from other parents but it seems lots are lax and think it’s an unlikely risk! Maybe I shouldn’t have bothered posting!

To be honest no you shouldn't have posted in Aibu if you only wanted people to agree with you.

Also It's perfectly fine to have an alternative opinion, we all parent differently there's norl need to resort to the implication that those who don't see this as a problem are lax parents who clearly don't care about their children's health.

@Keepithidden

Google "cycle helmet debate" for both sides of the argument. It's not as clear cut as most folks first think. The HSE for example do not consider cycle helmets PPE as they don't provide the protection that many think they do. It's fascinating if you're into that kind of thing!

Thanks I will.

@ThePlantsitter It’s more the fact that OP is bothered about the other DC. Doesn’t want her DC to go without a helmet - fine. Saying that others should have to wear them - not OPs business.

[quote ChrissyPlummer]@ThePlantsitter It’s more the fact that OP is bothered about the other DC. Doesn’t want her DC to go without a helmet - fine. Saying that others should have to wear them - not OPs business.[/quote]
I keep reiterating it was about the initial not giving them helmets to wear. Yes I find it weird the others still aren’t, but that’s not my issue or much I can do about! I have given one for my DC.

How odd that so many people take pride in their children not taking a basic safety precaution and some would be angry of someone else out a helmet on their child! My uncle works with adults with brain injuries several have been caused by bike accidents with no helmet, usually at relatively low speed (cycling to work rather than down a mountain).

I would be cross OP, we have a no helmet no riding rule including scooter as well as bike. I don't think she should provide them but should say as part of induction that she has bikes and if you would like your child to use them you need to bring their helmet and she will let you know when they will be needed. I would also be wondering if it's the voice of the other parents or if like you they don't realise this is happening.

It's interesting that helmets might not be as safe as we think, but debate over how safe they are according to experts is different from the question of whether or not someone caring for your child should talk to you about wearing one and not assume it's ok.

For me the big thing here is that the bike riding is not happening in the garden or at a play park but in the street. I can just about understand kids not wearing a helmet in the garden or in a safe enclosed space (although I think having the no helmet, no bike rule from the start is better) - but to be out in the road with no helmet is just irresponsible IMO.

If the childminder provides bikes then she should provide helmets and let parents know so they can provide their own if they prefer, you can probably get ones that tighten to fit different sizes - I've worn them as an adult for different activities.

There are some really bizarre replies here. One that would be angry if someone suggested that her little darling should wear a helmet to protect her head when on the road - perhaps worried it might mess up her hair? Or perhaps not liking other people telling her child what to do - school is going to be a shock in that case. Another suggesting that the OP should make sure she knows every single activity the CM does with her child in advance, all day every day - perhaps grilling the CM at drop off every morning or asking to have a detailed list every Monday morning for the week ahead?

The CM should be doing a risk assessment on an activity such as this and wearing helmets would definitely be part of that. It doesn't sound like she's that great a child minder to me to be honest OP.

*choice

I was prepared to post that you should pull your child and report the CM to licensing, but as I read the thread I realized you don’t have a law requiring children to use helmets on bicycles, scooters, and skates like we do. I still wouldn’t trust a CM who thought it was appropriate to take any child on a bicycle without a helmet.

@Tal45

For me the big thing here is that the bike riding is not happening in the garden or at a play park but in the street. I can just about understand kids not wearing a helmet in the garden or in a safe enclosed space (although I think having the no helmet, no bike rule from the start is better) - but to be out in the road with no helmet is just irresponsible IMO.

If the childminder provides bikes then she should provide helmets and let parents know so they can provide their own if they prefer, you can probably get ones that tighten to fit different sizes - I've worn them as an adult for different activities.

There are some really bizarre replies here. One that would be angry if someone suggested that her little darling should wear a helmet to protect her head when on the road - perhaps worried it might mess up her hair? Or perhaps not liking other people telling her child what to do - school is going to be a shock in that case. Another suggesting that the OP should make sure she knows every single activity the CM does with her child in advance, all day every day - perhaps grilling the CM at drop off every morning or asking to have a detailed list every Monday morning for the week ahead?

The CM should be doing a risk assessment on an activity such as this and wearing helmets would definitely be part of that. It doesn't sound like she's that great a child minder to me to be honest OP.

Thank you. You’ve worded it all a lot better than me! At the end of the day I’ve given the helmet and she now wears it. It just played on a mind a bit that if my dd hadn’t told me and fell off hitting her head, I couldn’t forgive the CM.

I want to keep her safe and hope others who care for her do too!

@DriftingBlue

I was prepared to post that you should pull your child and report the CM to licensing, but as I read the thread I realized you don’t have a law requiring children to use helmets on bicycles, scooters, and skates like we do. I still wouldn’t trust a CM who thought it was appropriate to take any child on a bicycle without a helmet.

You can now see my point.. there are very conflicting opinions here making me feel like I am being very dramatic! Overall I am happy the CM keeps her safe and recently passed ofsted etc but this just upset me a bit but I hope with providing the helmet I’ve solved the issue!

I would be very unhappy with this. Helmets are required for scooters and balance bikes here, at home and at nursery. It's the norm with other families too, you never really see kids out without them.

As others have said, at this age it's as much about forming good habits as it is about the protection.

If she's providing bikes she should be providing helmets imo, or at least asking you to send one in.

How fast is she likely to go down a hill if she is being resoonsibly cared for? Mine doesnt wear a helmet but hes 3 so never more than a few feet away and i dont run to keep up! Surely the slide in park is more dangerous!

If the childminder has not asked for you to provide a helmet and has not discussed whether you are OK with your child using a bike without a helmet - IMO you need to find a new childminder.

Unless they know you are OK with your child not using a helmet, they are not a reliable person to care for your child.

This would make me think they were a shit childminder.

I didn’t know they had be using bikes and when she told me, I took a helmet but wanted to know if she was being unreasonable initially letting all the kids not wear them.

To me this is wrong. You didn't know she was going to be using a bike. I'd have expected the CM to check this out with me first anyway, regardless of helmet situation. How would she know where your little one is up to with using a bike if she doesn't ask you? Seems strange to make that decision without at least a quick chat with a parent. I'd feel the same OP

@rrhuth

If the childminder has not asked for you to provide a helmet and has not discussed whether you are OK with your child using a bike without a helmet - IMO you need to find a new childminder.

Unless they know you are OK with your child not using a helmet, they are not a reliable person to care for your child.

This would make me think they were a shit childminder.

Yep, basically this

@SarahJeffers341 I mean this kindly, but are you anxious about a lot of things? Most people wouldn't be this anxious about a brain injury resulting from falling off a balance bike. Every toddler group I've ever been to has had a balance bike, similar primary schools. None of them have provided helmets and I've never thought about it or heard another adult comment on it (and I've run a few of the groups!) Unless there's a huge part of the story we're missing, like the CM is letting them loose on skate ramps I am confused you feel this strongly. I'd understand more if it was a pedal bike and your child was very competent and fast on it. You can't get up great speeds on a balance bike unless you're going down big hills.

Wearing helmet is not a legal requirement so it's difficult to see how your CM would be liable in any way.
Of course wearing a helmet is a good precaution but kids have accidents, bumps and scrapes I think you would.be paying significantly more for your childcare if your childcare if it was necessary for you CM to indemnity herself against normal play incidents.
I think you are a little oversensitive, I never wore a helmet until I rode on roads.
Kids these days are getting to much "cotton wool" treatment that they don't even see risks amd hazards now.

12 children

[quote DemBonesDemBones]@SarahJeffers341 I mean this kindly, but are you anxious about a lot of things? Most people wouldn't be this anxious about a brain injury resulting from falling off a balance bike. Every toddler group I've ever been to has had a balance bike, similar primary schools. None of them have provided helmets and I've never thought about it or heard another adult comment on it (and I've run a few of the groups!) Unless there's a huge part of the story we're missing, like the CM is letting them loose on skate ramps I am confused you feel this strongly. I'd understand more if it was a pedal bike and your child was very competent and fast on it. You can't get up great speeds on a balance bike unless you're going down big hills.[/quote]
for suggesting anxiety.

It is a way of shutting people down who want to talk about normal parenting questions.

Shame on you @DemBonesDemBones

How would she know where your little one is up to with using a bike if she doesn't ask you?

In the same way as childminders, nursery staff and teachers know things they observe the child's capabilities and talk to them. The OPs child is 3.5 and the bike in question is a balance bike. It would be pretty unusual for a child to not be able to use a balance bike at this age in my experience.

YANBU. Childminders should be following best safety practices and that means no riding bikes on the street without helmets.

a 3 year old on a balance bike at a relatively low speed

I wish someone had told that to my DS! He's been able to whizz along on his balance bike faster than I can run since he was 2.5. He's also launched himself at speed over the handlebars a couple of times. So no helmet, no bike, especially as he's getting a proper bike for Christmas.

[quote DemBonesDemBones]@SarahJeffers341 I mean this kindly, but are you anxious about a lot of things? Most people wouldn't be this anxious about a brain injury resulting from falling off a balance bike. Every toddler group I've ever been to has had a balance bike, similar primary schools. None of them have provided helmets and I've never thought about it or heard another adult comment on it (and I've run a few of the groups!) Unless there's a huge part of the story we're missing, like the CM is letting them loose on skate ramps I am confused you feel this strongly. I'd understand more if it was a pedal bike and your child was very competent and fast on it. You can't get up great speeds on a balance bike unless you're going down big hills.[/quote]
Pretty sure from the other posts that a lot of people agree with me. A child can go quite fast down a hill on a balance bike on the street.. I’ve seen it. My child has fallen off a few times with a helmet on with me and been fine but grazed herself. I said brain injury as worse case scenario but would rather she didn’t have a bump on her head at all if this can be avoided.

A toddler group doesn’t go around the street does it? This was around the street with a hill near a road as my daughter pointed it out when driving home!

I’m not massively anxious but just would like my child not to bang her head.. seems quite acceptable?!

@saleorbouy

Wearing helmet is not a legal requirement so it's difficult to see how your CM would be liable in any way. Of course wearing a helmet is a good precaution but kids have accidents, bumps and scrapes I think you would.be paying significantly more for your childcare if your childcare if it was necessary for you CM to indemnity herself against normal play incidents. I think you are a little oversensitive, I never wore a helmet until I rode on roads. Kids these days are getting to much "cotton wool" treatment that they don't even see risks amd hazards now.

They would need to demonstrate they had done a risk assessment, if something happened.

Many thing are legal but the childminder would still be liable - e.g. boiling water, candles, heights - if the childminder had not taken due care.

and for using the phrase 'cotton wool treatment' in relation to avoiding a head injury. FFS.