AIBU about childminder

[mammajulie]

AIBU about childminder?

last week for a message saying a few children in the setting had Hand Foot and Mouth and said if children were displaying symptoms then to keep them off until spots had scabbed over and they were feeling well enough to join in normal activities. Anyway a few days later she sent me some pictures of my son with a few spots, anyway I picked him up and he had a few. Has been absolutely fine in himself all week but has had 3 days off. Due back Monday all things well. Is this standard? I’m sure nhs says you don’t have to stay away from childcare etc.

Also I’ve since seen via social media she took 3 children to the zoo yesterday, saying they were unexpected quiet and took some children for a treat. Is this not a slap in the face for me when I’ve had to take 3 days off work and he’s not even ill?

it’s not exactly treating all children equally is it?

I am a childminder and I send home immediately if I suspect HFM. I ask parents to take to the doctors. If the doctor confirms then it is then they cannot return for 7 to 10 days. HFM is highly contagious and can make them very poorly. The NHS guidance is exactly that, a guidance. Little children can put things in their mouths so making it impossible to keep sterlising everything to keep it clean. If the childminder allowed them to attend she may get it herself and have to close thus you would lose your childcare until she was well. As a childminder we cannot just pull in a member of staff to cover if we are ill we have to close as we would be out of ratio. In regards to the zoo visit it may have pre planned, but not mentioned, to take whoever they had in on that day. If you don't pay then your childminder is well within her rights to terminate your contract. Childminders have to have stricter illness policies to safeguard everyone in the setting, both adults and children.