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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Childminders that have a big dog

16 replies

stevienicks · 01/04/2011 11:48

Hi there, I have often thought about doing childminding on a part-time basis and did attempt doing the course but gave up after a few weeks. I have since then had an addition to the family a big soppy labrador. We have had him since 12 weeks old and is now two. I will get to the point in a minute, do you think it would cause problems if I were to take up childminding at all?? To all the CM's out there, did you get much work, as where I live there are quite a few but all seem to be full up.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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fairimum · 01/04/2011 11:58

It wouldn't put me off using a CM with a dog, we have 3 ourselves - BUT I would want to see that they were able to have the dog kept seperate from the children (not needed all the time IMO) when go to the loo, if children playing with things dog might like etc (ie playdoh very toxic to dogs!). We live in a small terrace and use a play pen opened out to seperate our lounge/diner so the dogs are on one side and children the other.

Also could you section garden off with fencing so dog area and kiddie area (so def no dog poo on kiddie bit?)

I know some people would def avoid childminders with dogs but plenty of people wouldnt have a problem if clear you have considered safety/had risk assessments etc!

Original poster

stevienicks · 01/04/2011 12:09

Arr thank you fairimum, just looking at my options for when I have the bottle to give up my job, (I know its an insane thing to do in this climate) but have had enough and have gone into it in detail on another thread. I would never leave the dog on his own with my two DC's even though we have had him since a pup.

OP posts:

fairimum · 01/04/2011 12:15

def do-able - not sure why put terrace when we live in a semi though! durrr lol

Good luck :)

Bohica · 01/04/2011 12:21

I'm not a a fan of dogs so it would probably put me off. BUT if you were lovely & your house was clean & tidy & the garden & house had seperate areas for the dog then I would probably be able to forgive it!!!

Jude89 · 01/04/2011 12:50

When I was little our childminder had dogs (a great dane -Sasha, a doberman Cleo (I think) and a springer Spaniel Spotty) There are photos of me standing up under the great dane -so it must have been pretty big! And the doberman (?) used to go and greet my dad when he came to pick my dad up by putting his head between my dad's legs and snuggling as my dad was getting out the car (this was just after a high profile report on how Dobermans (dobermen?!) were "the worst dogs EVER!" but they were all lovely.)

Apparently the dogs would from time to time nosey about (particularly around food o'clock) and go sniff at my dinner and would get a biff on the nose and a "bad dog" from me aged about 18 months!

It was great as we couldn't have a dog then because my parents worked lots, so we got to spend time with dogs without my parents having to have one.
Obviously it depends on how well trained the dog is, I would be prepared to prove that it's an exceptionally well trained dog who is fine with children! And also that it is prepared to have children pulling on its tail and trying to ride it, as much as it is good for children to have good interaction with dogs, it might be nice for your dog to have somewhere to escape to as well!

pollywollyhadadollycalledmolly · 01/04/2011 13:23

I have two kittens and hasnt put anyone off.

The cats really arent around the children at all and their litter tray food bowls etc are all out of they way of the kids, becuase you wouldnt want a toddler playing with cat food etc

BeerTricksPotter · 01/04/2011 13:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HSMM · 01/04/2011 14:25

I am a CM. Some people would be put off, others would love it. You are not allowed to leave the dog unattended with the children at any time.

If you are thinking of giving up work to childmind, please be aware that the registration process can take a long time.

Lots of work where I am, but hardly any in the next town, so you need to research your area.

Good luck

Original poster

stevienicks · 01/04/2011 14:38

Brill thanks for all your comments. Food for thought.

OP posts:

tortilla · 01/04/2011 14:43

Personally I wouldn't want my child in a house where there are dogs. It's just not something I'm prepared to consider - don't like dogs, don't want them near my DCs (ok with them petting dogs in park, but do not want them near dogs for prolonged periods), and don't want them to be in a home where there are dog hairs, doggy smells etc. Even if dog is in a separate area, I wouldn't want my DCs being subjected to e.g. a barking dog all day, and obviously I wouldn't know if it was a barker or not. So I just wouldn't consider it. I know not everyone feels the same as me though, but you might lose some business because of it.

LittleHarrysMum · 01/04/2011 14:49

My childminder has a lovely lab and my DD loves him!

As a result my DD is not remotely scared of dogs and knows how to approach them and treat them with care and respect. She's 2 by the way (DD not dog!)

HaveToWearHeels · 01/04/2011 14:51

We have a dog, so I wouldn't bat an eyelid if childminder had a dog. My CM has a cat and CM said DD (18months) is so gentle with the cat, the cat will only go to her and not the other children. I put that down to us having a dog and I think it is important for children to learn how to behave around animals.

topsyturner · 01/04/2011 14:56

I am a childminder and I have a large dog (German Shepherd)
The parents of the mindees that I look after at present are fine with that .
Before we got our dog I made sure I spoke to the parents of mindees , my early years social worker , and my insurance provider . They were all happy with the measures I put in place .

If I get a vacancy (rare to be honest) I always make sure I tell any parents that we have a dog on the phone , before they even make an appointment to come and see me .
Some people don't like dogs at all , and thats fair enough . I got a dog knowing full well that it would limit my customer base . But there are parents out there who don't mind at all .

childminder90210 · 01/04/2011 21:34

I have a large Doberman dog and all my mindees love him, I keep him seperate from them in the kitchen with a stair gate but they all like to go up to it to talk to him. I always tell parents when they enquire I have him and most are happy for their children to come to my setting with the dog. It doesnt offend me if people are put off by the dog either as its personal choice.

chitchatingagain · 02/04/2011 11:41

If I had a choice between a CM with a dog and a CM without a dog I would go for the CM without a dog. My CM has a cat, a turtle and some other little animals (can't remember what!). I'm happy with that .... but a dog? No. Especially not a BIG dog. (Although having said that in my experience its the little dogs that have been the most aggressive...!!!). I suppose I might consider it if they had a very large garden and could fence off an adequate area for the dog so that the children's play area was out of bounds to the dog all the time, but it would still not be a preference for me.

Not really fair, I know, but then my priority is my DSs and not the CM.

CharlieCoCo · 03/04/2011 15:09

depends on the dog, lil yapping ankle biters that get under ur feet n yap all day no, big snuggly beast yes:)

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