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?

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 ?

DD is going to a primary school with a dog. I had concerns so asked about it. It’s not there all the time, is kept in a specific place and specific groups of children are brought to see it for short periods at specific times. I can opt for her not to be one of those children (but haven’t decided either way on this yet - tbh it’s mostly for kids struggling with e.g. emotional regulation which doesn’t apply to her so it may be largely moot) in which case she would never have to encounter the dog at all.

That’s a completely different situation to a family pet that’s there all the time, whether roaming around or shut in another room in a normal size house.

Depends on the set up I did but he was kept away unless closely supervised for his sake as much as the children tbh he ignored the children

I guess it also depends on the school too as one local to me the dog is free to roam and is outside at break times with the children. In that scenario I feel sorry for the dog.

Our childminders had 2 dogs, lots of chickens 3 rabbits and a tortoise! All risk assessed with policies for handling etc.

It would depend on the childminder and the dog but it wouldn't be a massive deal to me. If you are wary of dogs it might be a positive thing to have your child spend time around a well-behaved dog, parents fears often get passed onto children and this would be one way to make sure that didn't happen.

@RedWingBoots
Agree that it's weird, I was shocked. I had heard there was a dog and was hesitant about the idea, but presumed it was kept in a room and let out for occasional supervised cuddles. I wouldn't have been thrilled about that either (again, I personally think it's unncessary) BUT could have got over it for the right pre-school. When we knocked on the door for the visit, owner and dog answered the door together with a vague "Oh, she's okay with dogs isn't she?" whilst glancing at DD. The owner indicated to a room just off the kitchen and airily explained that the dogs bed was in there and she spent a lot of time in there but liked to wander out and see what was going on occasionally. Dog mostly followed the owner around but was later pottering around in the massive garden with all of the children running about, and then sitting on the sofa with the children at story time. Utterly bizarre.

I'd have to:

• Meet the dog and be happy that it was very docile.
• Be satisfied it was kept separate from children at all times.
• Have read glowing reviews or had recommendations for the childminder from other parents.
• See a policy from the childminder showing they are aware of the potential danger and take it seriously.

I like dogs a lot but I would always be wary of them around children. As much as we want to believe that pets are part of the family etc., they're still animals and that comes with dangers even for the most loving and relaxed family dog.

@namechangetheworld

where the heck does the dog stay all day?

But all means bugger all as could be spooked or change with age - and all that “prep” you did would mean nothing

I’m pretty gung-ho with my children and relaxed

but a dog? In the vicinity of my very young child day in and day out… not. A. Chance

Risk assessed by who?!

No. And I own a very placid dog and I have a baby. I never leave them together, not even for a split second.

A “school dog”

never ever heard of such a thing
and no bloody way would I want it

Hey @famagusta
I have a toddler and a full on energetic dog, one of those breeds that are considered family dogs and would never attack anyone.
I’m still careful with leaving my dog and toddler, never alone in a room together.

I just think if you don’t trust a childminder to keep your child safe then why bother using them at all? My childminder had an English bull terrier when my kid first went to her. Not a breed I’m used to, and they look pretty intimidating. He was the softest dog you could imagine and she was 100% sensible with him not being left with the children. It’s actually fantastic for children to learn how to act around dogs safely, not approaching quickly or trying to touch a dog without asking the owner first.

Maybe don’t make assumptions in future eh.

Says the poster who called anyone saying no to dogs around their child as being all “paranoid” and “what’s wrong with you?”

So your CM actually had her English bill terroir around her charges?

If ofsted knew she would have had her license revoked immediately

I use a childminder who has a dog. She keeps the dog separate behind a baby gate nearly all of the time. She has had the dog since birth and it is from a litter her sister responsibly bred. He is a very small dog and she has let him interact with my son, closely supervised. They have taken him on walks together in the summer holidays, which he has enjoyed. He's a docile thing and will sit next to him on the sofa. I would be concerned if they were unattended together but they are not and since we don't have a dog I am happy he isn't afraid of them and knows how to treat them. However, my baby has recently started and obviously she does not have any contact with the dog, who is kept separate, because she is too young and unpredictable. I haven't got any concerns.

CMs can keep dogs but they must be kept entirely separate from the children

your CM was shit

It doesn’t sound like that stair gate is used “nearly all the time”!

This is entirely and wholly untrue. Please do not post factually incorrect messages.

Hahahahahahahaha! Wow. You don’t know anything about my childminder. Such a dick head response. Clearly enjoying being a troll today aren’t we!

@CandleSchtick you realise some schools even use them as therapy dogs etc now ??

Yes I do. They have a pat dog visit my dd's special school weekly. That's a completely different scenario. The dog is on a lead and with its owner every moment. My daughter gets as far away from the dog as she can. She obviously feels uncomfortable around it so she's not pushed to touch it.
There's no point explaining anything to her as she's non-verbal and has no idea
why it's there. She seems relieved when it's gone.
There is no point trying to "train her into knowing how to behave around dogs"
She will never have the intellect to understand what is being asked of her.

The only school dog I've ever heard of is one that belonged to the business manager of a local school who was tight af so didn't want to pay for a dog walker and took her pet into work instead.

Yes we do. Our childminder has a Cavapoo.

It is true.

Clear as day. Page 12. Fine for dogs but need to show how keep the dog away from children whilst CM is working

www.childcare.co.uk/download/pre-reg-advice-for-childminders