Childminders Club: Car Advice please

[HellyBelly]

Morning

Before Christmas we started advertising our car for sale so I could replace it with a people carrier as I can't even get 3 toddler cars seats in - it's a BIG car but still only has a lap belt in the middle and you can't use the front as there's an air bag that can't be disabled.

Well, with dh loosing his job and also the car that went with that, we are having trouble deciding what to do. Public transport is terrible where we live and could not be relied on for dh getting to work. We leave near town but are still classed as being in the sticks

Anyway, I think we're going to need to get 2 cheaper cars with the money rather than a people carrier like I wanted.

Are there many of you with 'normal' cars for your mindees etc? Unfortunately, if I end up with a standard size car then I'd have to walk to the local school for any school children I may pick up which restricts me to 1 school. Couldn't possibly walk to the other school I used to pick up from.

Anyway, just curious to know if you all have people carriers?! Also, do any of you know any cars out there that can fit 3 car seats in the back?

Thanks

ive got a seat alhambra 7 seater, but before that I had a renault laguna (s reg) not the new shape one and that had 3 proper seatbelts in the back. I used to use 2 big car seats and a booster cushion in the back of it and they fitted ok, there wasnt any extra room but the seats fitted properly and the boots big, I used to keep a pram and a double buggy and spare car seats in it.
when i was waiting to collect the alhambra I got courtesy cars from the garage and the citroen picasso wouldnt take 3 seats in the back cos they were too squashed and they gave me a c3 but thats tiny. Im trying to think what other minders about here use, but theyve all got people carriers and the ones with normal cars have older children. probably not been much help.
kizzypie

No, that's great help, just the sort of info I need! Thanks

If anyone else can help that would be great, I need as many option for 3 seats in the back as possible!!

No, that's great help, just the sort of info I need! Thanks

If anyone else can help that would be great, I need as many option for 3 seats in the back as possible!!

Hi
I've got a renault scenic and can fit 3 full size seats in the back.
Its high up off the ground and makes me feel safer somehow!
Bye

Are they quite new? Can't remember but need something that doesn't cost loads I like being high up too - used to it with me 4x4

I have to use a bus

I think Enid had a thread about 3 car seats in the back recently. And JanH did a link to a page on the Honest John website which gave a list of suitable cars. Might be worth seeing if you can find it?

kizziepie I am surprised about the Picasso. My friend used to have one and got 3 seats in the back.

hi i drive a grand scenic now but when i started minding drove a 3door 206!!that really was a squash but i could fit 2 forward facing car seats in 1 rear facing with the baby bag coats and the kiwi exoplorer in the boot(with the parcel shelf off)!! wouldn't recommend it though. could you look at a 2nd hand zafira? i think you could get one reasonable 2nd hand. hth and hope your husband gets a job soon. good luck x

maybe its just the shape of my car seats then, ignore what i said about the picasso. I let my son pick his own booster cushion and when I looked at it when i went out earlier it is a lot bigger than the other ones that i have.

It does depend on the size of the childs carseat, because when I first started childminding 12 yrs ago I had a 3dr metro and got my 3 seats fitted in the back. The shape and size of the newer seats are alot bigger.

Icemum - unfortunately the bus in no option where I live (wouldn't like it tbh but would consider if it was possible).

Thanks everyone else, will have a look into everything.

We are hoping to have £5000(ish) from the sale of the 4x4 so hopefully we should be able to get something each to suit us. Fingers crossed.