NDN, noise and childminding

[TheScreams]

NDN and I both have two DCs, one DD and one DS, similar ages. We understand there’s sometimes noise. I work full-time and WFH almost all the time, until recently she was a SAHM. DH’s both work full-time out of the house. NDN has just started working again as a childminder. I have no issue with what she does for a living or with her house, obviously.

But the noise is unbearable. I have never heard anything like it. There is constant screaming, shouting, screeching, thundering, crashing around… I can’t even understand how it’s possible. When I’m on a meeting, even with AirPods, people can hear it. I’ve been asked if I need to take a minute to check on my children so it’s making me look unprofessional.

I’ve mentioned it to her and not got a great reception: “you know what kids are like” and “it’s my job” type responses. What do I do? It’s all day every day (windows closed, not in a room with a shared wall). I never imagined childminding would be so loud. How do I resolve this amicably? Obviously we both need to do our jobs and we can’t just gag the kids.

This is not true.

But also, as a childminder, there is no need for the children to make so much noise constantly. I have some loud children but they are taught/trained not to be so noisy. Sometimes it gets a bit noisy at mine after school but never consistently so. I would have another word

I doubt she's registered. When my DS went to kindergarten there was some noise whilst they were in the play area but not constant screaming and shouting. As another poster said, his day had structure, routine and rules. He would sometimes repeat them at home "We are not allowed ...".

So, you think expecting to be able to take phone calls where the other side of the phone call doesn’t hear screaming from a different house is unreasonable but to run a business from your home where children are screaming so loudly they can be heard down the phone of their neighbours’ calls is completely fine?

Residential properties are not business premises. OP working from home isn’t impacting anyone else. NDN working from home is impacting other people.

Good points about the child minder also being a business interesting that neither activity needs a change of use via planning but both are effectively commercial uses. Difficult situation

Yes, in the meantime you need proper headphones.

Please stop assuming the childminder isn’t registered due to not finding her on the OFSTED website. My name and address isn’t listed there for safeguarding and privacy reasons, you would have to search for my report using my EY number.

You do not need planning permission to work as a childminder as you are effectively working from home, it does not come under running a business from your home.

that being said, the level of noise is unacceptable. I’m a childminder and I’m very conscious of any effects on my neighbours and mitigate as much as possible. The children are not allowed to run round shrieking. I make sure to get out everyday so they can race round and make noise in a large open area. I’m also very conscious about noise levels when we use the garden. By doing this I get on so well with the neighbours they recommend me to people who are looking for a childminder.

please don’t jump the gun and out a complaint into OFSTED. Have a very direct chat with your neighbour and say the level of noise is unacceptable and this needs to be dealt with immediately. Obviously, if the childminder isn’t willing to listen or change then you will need to take further steps.

When I’m on a meeting, even with AirPods, people can hear it. I’ve been asked if I need to take a minute to check on my children so it’s making me look unprofessional.

You've not got your settings correct. Both Teams and Hangouts (and Zoom I think) have 'background noise' filters which will remove 90+% of that noise. I have mine right up high and it won't even pick up my own laughter or coughing into the mike. I've worked in a room below someone sanding the floor and it's been absolutely fine. In fact the only time it doesn't work is when I am in the office and someone sitting next to me is also on a meeting - then it can recognise the spoken word.