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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to expect the childminder to have a cot?

34 replies

CalypsoFramboise · 18/06/2010 15:04

DD started at the childminder 2 weeks ago and I was quite suprised that she puts DD down to nap on her own bed with pillows either side.

DD is 8.5 months old and doesn't really roll about (at least for now) but I feel horribly anxious that she might pull a pillow over her face and suffocate - the childminder doesn't have a monitor and does have another 1yr old to look after too (who sleeps in his pushchair by his choice!).

She is an OFSTED registered childminder and DD seems to be getting on ok there (early days I know), but AIBU by asking her to provide a proper cot (he's a bit short on space...)?
Cheers

OP posts:
HecateQueenOfWitches · 18/06/2010 15:05

I don't think she should be doing that. Check with ofsted if that's allowed. If it's not, it's something they need to know about.

And you can insist that a different arrangement is made.

Or you can vote with your feet.

muddleduck · 18/06/2010 15:08

Do you have travel cot you could lend her?

I can understand that she may not want to have a cot there all the time, but I would also not be happy with this. At some point she will roll out off bed.

Is this a sign that she has quite different ideas about childcare to you? IME that is not a good thing.

HecateQueenOfWitches · 18/06/2010 15:09

Surely though, if she's registered, ofsted have certain rules? Need to see that there are the proper arrangements and facilities?

staranise · 18/06/2010 15:18

I would be unhappy with this - what happens when she starts to roll over?

You can get small travel cots if space is an issue.

Missus84 · 18/06/2010 15:21

Didn't you ask about sleeping arrangements before you started with her?

Lend her a foldaway travel cot and ask that your dd sleeps in that if you prefer.

Original poster
CalypsoFramboise · 18/06/2010 15:28

I did ask to see where the babies slept but she was having work done upstairs at the time and was a no-go area. Didn't actually occur to ask if she had a cot, I automatically assumed she would {sigh}

I like her though, as does DD, and she is so close by and affordable, I neither want to leave nor make things unpleasant...

I've already bought a MeToo highchair for DD as she's so teenytiny she was almost falling out of the highchair, but uncertain if I'm just depositing all my own stuff around hers and insisting she use it, is not on and I'm being overly precious .

OP posts:
Sassybeast · 18/06/2010 15:32

YANBU - I would have thought that a cot wouls be a minimum requirement - my sis is a CM and uses a travel cot. No way would I be happy with the arrangement at the minute and I would be sceptical about the building work stopping you from seeing upstairs.

Missus84 · 18/06/2010 15:33

If the sleeping arrangements matter to you, then you need to ask. It's not an unreasonable request and I'm sure the CM will accomodate you - but if you don't mention it then she won't know.

Annya · 18/06/2010 15:36

Of course she should have a cot! OK, your little one doesn't roll over now but she will one day. Unfortunately the first sign of her new skill will probably be a loud bump.

Altho I would have assumed and not double checked, too.

Scaredofthedark · 18/06/2010 15:41

Maybe she hasn't needed one up until now?

I think it depends on the children she already minds- if the other 1 year old is happy to sleep in a buggy, why would she have a cot?

I'm a childminder and don't have a lot of very young baby equipment as I don't mind babies. However, if I were to look after a baby who needed a cot, I would get one. Maybe she is in the process of getting one?

You mentioned she is already short on space, so a cit hasn't been a priority up until now.

At the end of the day, I would as her to invest in one. Part of your fees should be covering her expenditure on equipment.

jessiealbright · 18/06/2010 15:45

Could you suggest she gets a bedrail? Like any of these?

That way, your child will be safe, and there won't be a bulky cot.

jessiealbright · 18/06/2010 15:48

Actually, that link didn't work.

Here's a second try to an individual guard- here.

vinauchocolat · 18/06/2010 15:53

I don't think a bedrail is safe either. I have lindam bed rail up but still would never leave a baby unattended on the bed like that. NO way is that safe. She could fall out, suffocate, etc. I wouldn't leave my own DCs on a bed like that as I know how quickly they can fall out. I certainly wouldn't do it with someone else's, and certainly not at that age when they are so mobile. Tell her you are not happy and either give her a travel cot or, I'm afraid, find another childminder.

Chaotica · 18/06/2010 15:55

YANBU She should have a travel cot at least. I agree with the others.

Maybe lie say that your DD has started rolling to get around occasionally and see whether she says 'I'd better get a cot then.' If not, suggest she does!

chipmonkey · 18/06/2010 16:44

YANBU, seems very strange to me that someone would expect that it was OK to mind an eight month old without a cot.

And that arrangement is dangerous. She could easily fall on to the floor

I would insist that she get a cot, even if it's a travel cot.

Igglybuff · 18/06/2010 17:32

YANBU. If your little one starts rolling (you never know when it could happen), then the pillow thing is not safe (I would argue it isn't now).

My DS rolls around like anything in his cot which started happening once he could move.

If she's taking babies on then I'd expect her to have a cot.

Riddo · 18/06/2010 18:08

I'm a CM and I have a travel cot as I don't want it up all the time.

I wouldn't dream of putting any child on a normal bed like that - it's far too risky.

Most of my mindees sleep in their pushchairs and I have one that lies flat, perhaps that would be another option.

LisaD1 · 18/06/2010 18:17

I'm an ex CM and there's NO WAY she should be doing this. She must provide a travel cot or similar for your child and Oftsed INSIST that each child has it's own clean bedding, there's no way she should be putting a baby on/in her bed which I assume she sleeps in?

Try posting this on the CM board, you will get plenty of CM opinions there.

alipalie · 18/06/2010 18:26

oh my god sorry to be crude but this woman most likely has sex on her bed or if not may sleep naked etc. The list of reasons this is not good goes on. Would you want to sleep on her dirty sheets, I don't think so!!! This is most def not on. As LisaD1 says clean bedding is an absolute must for each child, Ofsted don't actually mention adult bedding-I wonder why?!

nannynick · 18/06/2010 18:32

A travel cot would be tax deductible for the childminder as it is a legitimate business expense. So makes sense for them to have one, so they can care for a baby.

pointydog · 18/06/2010 18:50

All three childminders I have had, have just used the buggies for the babies and toddlers to sleep in. My current one gets all the little ones to nap on teh sofa together. None of them had a cot. Two of the three have not had space for a cot.

pointydog · 18/06/2010 18:51

@ dirty sheets

Original poster
CalypsoFramboise · 18/06/2010 19:28

OK, I don't feel so neurotic about asking that she start using a cot - we have a pop-up travel bubble cot that could sit on her bed. It's like the Krypton Factor trying to get it back it the bed though
Don't have a pushchair, as I take her around in the sling.

She is single with grown-up children so I don't think that's an issue, but yes I would expect DD to be in her sleepsac and on a clean sheet. I'll raise it with her on Monday.

Ta!

OP posts:
FabIsGettingFit · 18/06/2010 19:29

YANBU

SO may dangers with putting a baby that small to bed like that. You need to tell her now it isn't acceptable.

porcamiseria · 18/06/2010 19:35

you are not being precious, she really should have one