More what would you do - a bit concerned about this childminder's care

[Thisworriesme]

Name changed for what will become obv reasons.

Last week I went to a mums and toddlers group. Got chatting to a really lovely, friendly c/m.

She explained which ones were her mindees and referred to one being asleep in the buggy "out there."

Out there was, in fact right by the front door to the street, which was unlocked. The front door is two sets of double doors from where we were sitting.

She didn't have a monitor, and I don't think she checked on the child in the hour I was there, but she may have done.

I'm not sure of the child's age - presume 3 or under.

Before anyone starts accusing me of being a daily mail reader I know child snatches are very rare - but would you be happy with this if this was your child?

I wouldn't like it.

BUt what would you do? I have been agonising about this and thought mn would be able to help!

I wouldn't like it, no.

Next time I would say as nicely as possible 'Why don't you bring little 'Johnny'/'Jilly' inside? That hallway isn't very secure.' Be straightforward.

Thanks, I don't actually intend to go back - the only people there were c/m's. All very nice, but I wanted to chat to mothers like me.

i would contact whoever runs the group and without giving names discuss it with them, maybe they need to look at there safety elements.

Because I would have been more worried that the child could have worked out how to undo straps and got out on to street that way.

No.

Agree with NooOOOoonki - I would imagine that the leaders of the group would not want this to happen, so I would talk to them & ask if they could remind everyone that children should be in the main hall at all times, even when sleeping.

I would be uncomfortable if my cm was doing this, i must say

Yes, I agree with noooooo(how many Os?)nki

I would also be concerned about the child escaping. Mrs Matties response is a good idea - simple, not accusing

sorry tis my halloween name (meant to be a bit scary !)

She wouldn't be able to hear if the child called out.

I'd think of this as being quite different to in my own house as
a) my house door can't be opened from the outside
b) my house is rarely full of a toddler group full of squealing children (even if it feels like it sometimes)

Was the child out of sight AND out of hearing range? Because AFAIK minded children must always be with seeing or hearing rangetely.

Definately raise it with group leaders

range not rangetely

Yes it was out of sight and hearing range.

You come in through the front door - this was where the buggy was left - then go through one set of double doors across a hallway and through another set of double doors (both closed).

I don't know who the group leader is - I think it might have been her.

Isn't this the kind of thing Ofsted deals with?

As a parent and a childminder I would be a quite peed off if I saw this.

Prehaps give Ofsted a ring for advice. You wouldn't have to give any names if you didn't want but they might be able to investigate??

To be honest, your comment about the hall being full of c/ms so your not going back is pretty nasty, most if not all c/ms are mums too who work with children so they can stay at home with their own - that doesnt make them any less worth talking to than mums who stay at home with just their own children!

But yes, would speak to hall owner and Ofsted about the lack of care shown by that particular cm.

Not nasty at all, nothing to do with them being c/m's - just the fact that they are all about 20 years older than me - I can't see we'd have anything in common.

Ah - I see why my comment looks nasty now - I meant I wanted to meet other young mothers like me.

Mmmm - don't know that you are going to swing it on ageist grounds either....

I couldn't give a shit, frankly, if you want to pick holes in me because I went to toddler group hoping to meet other young Mum's and don't intend to go back because the only people there were grandmothers.