I went back to work after my second DD in January. She turned one in February. I decided to use a childminder this time (my parents have always kindly looked after my first DD but they’re getting on a bit and didn’t think it was fair to ask them to do so much again). They still look after youngest DD once a week and the childminder does it twice a week. I found her on the childcare website but turns out we had a friend in common and so was able to ask her all about the childminder and I got verbal references from the mums of the other children she looks after. GLOWING reports from all. The friend in common worked with her for years when they worked in a nursery together and she said she’s the person you’d want looking after your children. I was so happy to feel at peace about finding the right person to look after my DD age just one.
It’s been going well. There’s just been a couple things and I don’t know if I’m being really paranoid. I should also add I work with children in a healthcare setting, and therefore am exposed to lots of sad social cases so I know I see it go on more than most and it probably makes me a bit paranoid. I’m also uptight about grapes having seen one too many choking incidents and have asked her not to give her grapes until I say so, even if she cuts them up. I know many will disagree but that’s my choice. Notice she gave her grapes the other day so I very politely asked her not to just yet. Also, I asked her about the car seat she uses as we are about to change hers in the next few months and I had totally forgotten to ask before she started looking after DD - I admit, my bad. I asked it if was rear facing. She said no, it’s her preference that it’s not as she thinks they’d get bored and can’t see the other children as well. It was all said a bit stroppy like I’d dented her professionalism a bit. I don’t honestly care if she’s bored - it’s the law to be rear facing til she’s 15 months. I didn’t say anything as wanted to keep a good relationship and we are about to change the car seat soon in about 2 months time anyway to be forward facing.
Anyway. That was about a week ago and she’s been with the childminder for the last two days. With me today. I have noticed today a new bruise over her eye and cheek. It looks like the same bruise. I’ll try to add a photo if I can hide the rest of DDs face in the photo. My husband picked her up last night and the child minder did say that she seemed to have a bruise on her head but she didn’t see her hit her head or didn’t cry out loud at any point like she was hurt when she wasn’t looking.
What should I do? I’ve just noticed the bruise is quite bad today. Would have known if she’d done it here and would like to think the childminder would have noticed something like that happen. Obviously I’m thinking the absolute worst too…..