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Original poster

potential CM's house smelling of cigarette smoke-deal-breaker?

84 replies

CatIsSleepy · 11/03/2011 13:40

my lovely childminder of the last 4 years has had to give me her notice this week for very sad personal reasons and I have to find a new CM for dd1 (nearly 5) and 2 (2 yrs) to start in 3 weeks.
It has thrown me into a bit of a panic. However the mum of one of dd1's classmates is a CM, and she has vacancies. I went to see her today and liked her a lot.
Only problem-her house smelt very smoky. She said her husband doesn't smoke when the children are around ie only in the evenings. FWIW it sounds like she would be doing activities out of teh house with dd2 most days so she wouldn't be in the house all the time. But i feel a bit uncomfortable about it. Dh, however is less bothered. I haven't had time to see anyone else yet or even get any names of more CMs to contact so she is the only person I have seen so far.

Would a smokey house be a deal-breaker for you? am very interested in other people's opinions on this.
Have to go and do a load of boring stuff now but I will be back
Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
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DamselInDisguise · 11/03/2011 13:45

A smokey house would definitely be a deal breaker for me. I find it very unpleasant and wouldn't want to subject my kids to it. And the lingering smell would probably pervade their clothes and hair. Yuck.

NickNacks · 11/03/2011 13:46

I am a CM myself and i have to say I wouldn't be keen.

Maybe see some others and then decide. If she turns out to be the only one you like then you could maybe compromise on that issue but i wouldn't be saying yes just yet.

ojmummy · 11/03/2011 13:46

It would be a deal breaker for me too.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 11/03/2011 13:50

Look for others.

If you find someone else that you prefer but doesn't have vacancies currently get on their waiting list and use this one as a short term solution (assuming there are no other solutions). It would be my ideal but unfortunately you've been put in a very tricky situation.

Don't know if yours does it, but our local council has a list of childminders on their website which was very useful when we were in a similar situation last year.

Good luck

nannyl · 11/03/2011 13:59

it would be a deal breaker for me

Booh · 11/03/2011 14:02

For me it would be a no.

I think the guidelines are that anyone who smokes and they wants to be around children (even their own kids!) should have a shower, wash their hair and change their clothes to stop any smoke being transferred!!!

Original poster
CatIsSleepy · 11/03/2011 14:10

yeah i do feel very uncomfortable about it

she was great in every other aspect

damn!!!

OP posts:
sleeplessinseatle · 11/03/2011 14:13

Dealbreaker for me.

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 11/03/2011 14:14

Me too,sorry

Beckyboo4 · 11/03/2011 14:17

Sorry a complete dealbreaker for me.

Original poster
CatIsSleepy · 11/03/2011 15:05

are there actual health risks associated with smoke residue in the home?

OP posts:
nervatious · 11/03/2011 16:05

Yes, health risks. If you can smell it there are lots of other poisons hanging around that you can't smell. Yukyukyuk

Cosmosis · 11/03/2011 16:39

yes, it was a dealbreaker for me.

KnitterNotTwitter · 11/03/2011 16:43

yes - total deal-breaker for me too

StarExpat · 11/03/2011 18:07

Yes dealbreaker. In addition to the numerous other reasons, it's just unpleasant. And, like you said, I wouldn't subject my DS to being around that all day... Having to nap in it... Nasty.

LisaD1 · 11/03/2011 19:04

Dealbreaker for me too. I have never smoked and hate it with a passion (both parents smoked heavily when we were children and our clothes/house always stank of the stuff).

DH smokes but only a couple a day (don't know why he bothers!) but has never smoked in the house, no matter what the weather is like he stands outside.

I could not be this protective of it in my home and then be ok with sending them somewhere that smelt of smoke.

rightnow · 11/03/2011 19:44

dealbraker

mranchovy · 11/03/2011 20:22

Dealbreaker for me too. Even people I know who smoke don't do it inside their own homes - none of their non-smoking friends would ever visit if they did.

mranchovy · 11/03/2011 20:22

Dealbreaker for me too. Even people I know who smoke don't do it inside their own homes - none of their non-smoking friends would ever visit if they did.

eastmidlandsnightnanny · 11/03/2011 21:12

personally I only looked at childminders who had non-smoking households and only visited non-smoking households as we are very careful not to have our baby around smoke.

One lady was keen to tell me she didnt have a dog anymore and I said I didnt even know she had had one as it wasnt something that bothered me if they have pets just the smoking thing

so I think it just depends on what you are happy with.

rainbowinthesky · 11/03/2011 21:14

Deal breaker for me too.

bringinghomethebacon · 11/03/2011 21:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YesPleaseDrChristian · 11/03/2011 21:31

Absolutely no way.

How would you feel bringing your LO home and cuddling them and smelling smoke. It will permeate her clothes and toxins will be present on every surface of the house.

trixymalixy · 11/03/2011 21:33

Absolute deal breaker for me.

Blondeshavemorefun · 12/03/2011 13:47

have to say a smoking cm or her dh who smokes would put me off

my dh smokes but does out of the house

im surprised ofsted doesnt say that all cm houses must be smoke free

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