My chilminder put my kids out in her garden because I was 10 mins late

[mimosa]

Am I over-reacting?
Due to circumstances beyond my control I was 10 mins late collecting my children today. When I arrived they were in their coats with their bags by their feet, sat in my childminders gargen (They are 3 and 5) She was with them. It was 6.10 and getting dark, and very cold.
I know I only pay her until 6, but this is the first time I have ever been late and every other day I collect them a good 15-20 mins early.
What would have happened if I had had an accident or been held up even longer - how long would she have kept them out there?
I need to know that if I am ever in that situation again, that my children are being looked after still.
I would happily pay her if I am late - but I really feel like she doesnt have the best interest of my children at heart.
I am new to this using a childminder lark - and I dont know if I am over-reacting. What should I do?

Also, my days are often 7-6.30 to be flexible to parents (I get paid a daily rate so not more for long hours) so 10 mins here and there make a big difference!

danethe4th - same here - it was a lovely sunny day and even by 6ish still warm (with fleece )and had to tell them at 6.10 pm we were going to get mb from the station

mimosa - did you call and say you were going to be 10mins late? if not then by the cm view, she prob thought you were 30mins late as normally pick up 20mins early iyswim

I honestly think this all depends on how the CM was, not about being in the garden with coats on. Honestly, it's much worse for them to be sat indoors with coats and shoes on as that is not appropriate clothing for indoors and they could get too hot. I personally don't allow shoes on in the house so if I did get them ready, we'd go outside - nothing wrong with this as they are in OUTDOOR clothing!

If she was huffy and stuff then I'd probably be annoyed but if she was polite and as she normally is, I'd think nothing of it. She could have been trying to be helpful, she could have been in a rush for some reason. I recently was outside with a mindee all ready for her mum, I don't normally need to do this but I had to go immediately to the Drs with my ds2 as the Dr was waiting for me to get there straight after I finished as it was a last min appointment. It's the only way I could get an appointment and I have every right to book something for a time that I should be able to make! I rarely do it but haven't much choice with the course times we have, I often have to leave very soon after closing and I don't get to have dinner until it finishes (usually gone 9). Am I not supposed to book any courses ever because someone might be late? .

If the CM was otherwise nice and it's just because they were outside then I'd think nothing of it. If she was off then I'd need to know how she was with you to decide what I think.

I think she could have waited inside with them and distracted them. This just brought it to their attention that you were late and it was hardly their fault.

Just curious how would you all react if it had been a nursery not a childminder? Honestly interested, as a nursery manager our parents would be less than impressed if this happened.

My cm wouldn't do this. Depends on your children I suppose, but unless there was an activity and it was all done under the radar, this would have made my dd anxious.

Think it depends on tone - could be ok, could be horrible for the kids. How was she with you when you turned up?

a nursery is work place and is not a home.

when a children finish her place of work becomes her and family home

therefore a nursery is still a safe place for a child
a home is not
her family mightwant to cook the family meal not in a un child friendly way

her family might to watch /play game that was not child friendly

they might be someone in house that is not
CRB check
so the safely thing to do is take kids outside

She may have been desperate to get somewhere...for example, yesterday I finished work at 6 and so had a parents evening booked in for 6.30. At 6 o clock I would have had the childrens coats on ready to go so that I too could be ready to go straight away...you dont know that she would always do this, it may have just been on this 1 occasion. If mindees were due to be picked up at 6 at the latest then at 6 I would put their hats and coats on, and actually I think I would go in the front arden with them...better than them sweating inside, I think youre being a bit precious really, you were late after all.

lol.. had exactly he same situation with a lovely parent on tuesday.. had booked an eyebrow wax.. yes total indulgance.. she called me that she would be late.. had to cancel my treatment.. but kept a smile on my face and text back. no worries..

this parent is usually on time and pays on the dot.. shit happens and I run a business.. thats life.. clients are money and I AM NOT A NURSERY SO DONT CLOSE ON THE DOT.. THATS MY SELLING POINT..

it does sometimes impact on my own kids but hey am a working mum just like my mindees mums they leqrn to accept it .... if it was happening all the time thats different and would charge or re negotiate conract...