Would you use a childminder with a dog?

[PashunFroot]

Just that really. We want to use a childminder rather than a nursery, purely for logistical reasons as they can collect older child from school. However all the childminders locally have dogs. I’m not a dog person, and I’m quite wary of them. I know they will be kept shut away from the children but would I always be worrying about it while I’m at work?

aibu for even being worried about it?

I have a dog and I would say no.

The child minder across the road has a dog in with the children and they all go for walks together. I had never crossed my mind that some people would have a problem with it.

Exactly @RedWingBoots

Just a shockingly poor childminder who happened to have a dog. Nothing to do with Ofsted policy about dogs in general.

I did. My children were 2 and 3 and the dog was a big one, not sure of breed, possibly some sort of Alsatian cross/mongrel type thing. I didn't have any qualms at all and in all honesty didn't really check the situation that thoroughly because I'd already checked out the childminder and she was on it in terms of paperwork, settling in, my child's allergies and what to do, planning and examples of activities etc. she was a very calm presence, had glowing reviews and so I just trusted that she would apply the same sensible processes to the dog. I did spot a baby gate and the dog was behind it which I suppose if my children were younger would have been reassuring-she did take babies. If it's not clear by now then yes, I've grown up with dogs since babyhood as had my children as we lived with my parents who always had them.

There was never an issue and as my children got to know the dog (always under supervision) they were allowed to help hold it's lead when it was taken for a walk which was a real treat for them! Our dogs at home were tank like bull terriers with the pulling power of bulldozers so they didn't get to do this at home!

I can appreciate that if you've not been around dogs or have been injured by one then you're feelings will of course be completely different but I always think it's a bit sad to pass these fears onto children rather than encouraging a healthy respect for dogs and teaching children how to approach and not to approach them instead. I also think that if you've carefully vetted your childminder and trust them to look after your children then perhaps that trust should also extend to their risk assessment of animals in their home. However, people can get weird with their dogs so I fully acknowledge that this does need to be carefully checked. I trusted my childminder completely, I knew she wasn't someone who thought of their dog as their 'fur baby' who wouldn't harm anyone but this isn't always the case.

Nope. Not in a million years.

Not only due to the risks, but also because at the moment my children arent fussed about dogs. I don't like them , and wouldnt want my kids ending up enjoying the dog a lot at a childminders and wanting to own dogs themselves as adults. This is because I don't like visiting homes with dogs and I don't like people bringing their dogs to my home so it would limit my visits with my children if they own dogs as adults.

I'm a major dog lover and recently bereaved owner and worked with dogs in some capacity and I'd say no unless ABSOLUTE assurance that dog and child are separated by gate etc.

It's not about bad dog/bad kid. It's about the miscommunication that can happen.

Someone outside the family can be perceived as a threat by the most 'placid' of dogs....even people within the family.
It's not about not 'trusting' a dog. It's just being aware that humans and dogs don't speak the same language. Sometimes things get lost in translation.

Size matters too....Someone gave a good point.... baby with a large dog absolutely no. Older kid with a tiny dog maybe. They could still end up with bite but unlikely to be fatal.

When people say to me 'My dog would never'
I always say..... No one ever left a kid with a dog that they knew was dangerous

Dog lover here but no. I might trust the childminder to stick to the arrangements for where the dog is kept etc but so many of stories where children been sadly attacked seem to involve other family members or individuals supervising (or failing to supervise) dogs properly. Wouldn’t be able to trust that others’ responsible for taking them to random vet visits or taking them out would follow the rules and not inadvertently slip up, forget to lock the gate, let them off without realising kids in the garden type thing. Also wldn’t be comfortable with dogs plural for obvious reasons. Sound like a dog hater - am not! prob just too paranoid!

That is a really sensible and balanced post.

I always say..... No one ever left a kid with a dog that they knew was dangerous

although the 10 year old boy mauled to death this year by his parents pit bull called “the beast” would say otherwise

“Must say I'm quite amazed by some of the replies and curious whether those with a firm no would also not send their child to a school if they have a school dog ?”

I was a flat no but am very chilled about the reading dog who comes to my daughter’s school. The dog has undergone temperament assessments, has breaks, is incredibly well trained and children have the option of not interacting. That is a completely different situation to an unpredictable toddler being cared for in a home with a dog where there could be multiple distractions.

There may be no obligation but surely it's common courtesy?

No chance.

Yes, I do and I'm not a dog person.

there's no obligation to tell minded families you're going to get a dog or any pet, it's the childminders home at the end of the day

No IT'S NOT "your home" - it's a place where you run a business.

Any nursery "forgetting" to mention to parents they keep dogs on site would find itself on very thin legal ice, any accidents happening or not.

You better pray you never have to test that in courts ...

Never

ZOMBIE

@DaSilvaP why would you revive this old thread? Not quite enough dog hating on MN today?

Nurseries & childminders are two different things.

of course it's the childminders home. Do you think they live elsewhere?

You should take up jogging!

I used to childmind and had a dog. Dog had a crate in the kitchen and a gate across kitchen door.I also had a gated section in the garden so the dog was never in same area as the kids.

I had a written policy for the dog and a full risk assessment. I am a qualified teacher so knew how to ensure it was done safely.

My parents loved the fact I had a dog as the kids got the all the joys of dog ownership with non of the responsibility! it was very positively connected in in my OFSTED inspection too. I was given an an outstanding so I’m 100% confident it was not an issue. I was always full with a waiting list.

I wouldn’t personally use a childminder who had a dog at home. Any dog , even well trained dogs are an additional risk to an environment that is supposed to be as safe as humanly possible when looking after other peoples children. Whether rightly or wrongly, it would make me question how responsible the childminder was. I understand that a lot of child minders risk assess but it is an added responsibility when you are promoting yourself as a safe person whose primary focus is on the children in your care.

I think if my childminder got a puppy now, depending on the breed, I’d probably keep my child there for a while but would be thinking of other arrangements when the dog became bigger.

Gosh I feel sorry for your dog, how cruel

I agree. I would think a childminder isn't that serious/ it's not a priority if they had a dog. More that it's just a sideline to make some extra money, would completely put me off

Oh for gods sake! The dog didn’t live in tbe crate and was out of the kitchen with us during the day. The point was I had an adequate steps in place to know the children and dog didn’t mix without me being present.

The children loved tbe dog and she was amazing with them.

I only worked term time 8.30-5 and the dog had completely free reign of the house outside those times.

I really do wish people would think outside the box before coming back with stupid and ignorant comments like yours.

you sound pleasant

Newsflash- most people work for the money, even childminders! We wouldn't do it for free just because we love working with children.

I've been a for 14 years, we have a 2 Yr old dog who is amazing with the children. Of course I am safety conscious and he isn't left alone with them etc, but families choose a cm for the homely experience and having a dog can be part of that.

I'm also ofsted outstanding and constantly have a waiting list so many parents agree, despite the scaremongering on mumsnet.

No.