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

[CalypsoFramboise]

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

She can't have had her first inspection as they would have come down on her like a ton of bricks.

They would expect a travel cot unless she told them she had one but doesn't actually use it.

You need to say she must sleep in a cot. Personally the pop up thing on a bed doesn't sound good either as it could roll off but it would be fine on a towel on the floor????

YANBU

Def mention this to the CM next time you see her. It would be very important to me.

Hope you're not too tired today. (hugs)

IMO this needs to stop immediately. Your child is about to become mobile and needs to be sleeping in a cot or similar.

Also children should not habitually be having their naps in buggies, or cuddled together on sofas, as it is supposed to be bad for their backs and general quality of sleep.

If a CM's house is too small to house the appropriate facilities, then he/she should not be a CM.

Fwiw re sleeping in buggies, when I trained as a cm (though changed my mind and went back to work) the trainer said it was a good idea if mindees would sleep in prams/buggies downstairs as easier in the event of fire.

Just to reiterate, it is an OFSTED requirement for childminders to use a travel cot at least, with individual bedding for each baby.

I have three cots for my minded children in three different rooms.

I am very anti babies sleeping in car seats, pushchairs etc, babies need to be flat, in a cot or proper pram.

My sister says that lots of babies have respiratory problems these days don't quote me but she will give me the research if I ask her )and it is because they are hunched up in car seats all day long, from car to pushchair frame

YANBU. Chidminders have to have a cot for babies to sleep in.

I would be VERY VERY unhappy if a cm was leaving my baby sleeping on an adult bed. Especially with no bed rail and no monitor. It's just ridiculous, and I wouldn't do it myself with my own children.

Say something ASAP. At the very least your DD should sleep in a pushchair - but preferably a cot.

Need to sort this out NOW IMO!

Thanks for all your responses - have now given the childminder the travel cot and she says she is totally fine to use it. I hope that she does use it...

FYI: I emailed Ofsted regarding this issue and they said -

"The Early Years Foundation Stage register guidance states under statutory guidance to which providers should have regard that:

·Each child should have their own bed linen, flannel, and hairbrush if they are used (these may be provided by parents or providers). Sleeping children should be frequently checked.

·Where children are staying overnight, they should each have a suitable bed or cot and clean bedding."

From this it seems that only their own linen is required, and cots only mandatory if staying overnight. Monitors aren't required, only frequent checking.