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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

Are childminders allowed to take under 5s swimming to a friend's pool??

27 replies

gnocci · 30/04/2012 22:05

5 or 6 children all under 5 (two of them 18m old, one about 2 I think) going to a mate's private pool? With two adults? Is that even allowed?????

OP posts:

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HSMM · 30/04/2012 23:31

It's allowed but they will have to carry out a risk assessment. I took a 2 yr old and 4 yr old to a paddling pool and we left pronto because all the 4 yr old seemed to do was lie face down in the water (unintentionally).Most public pools only allow 2 children per adult.

nannynick · 30/04/2012 23:36

I would have thought that a risk assessment and maybe permission from parents may be useful for the childminder to have.

Lostinroseland · 01/05/2012 11:56

I wouldn't be happy at all with this

Original poster

gnocci · 01/05/2012 12:52

Glad you've said that Lost! Starting to think I was being pfb!!! My DS is 18m and potential childminder has mentioned she does this and has petrified me!! I don't think I can use her because of it... :s

OP posts:

LingDiLong · 01/05/2012 14:01

Ask to see a copy of the Risk Assessment - if she hasn't even done one then you are right to be petrified!

It could be that there will be other adults present and that the older children can either swim or keep themselves afloat well with armbands. It could even be that she's intending to keep all children in the shallow end where the majority can touch the floor.

I would certainly want to know a lot more before allowing my child to go and as a Childminder I would only consider that amount and range of children if the 3 or 4 oldest were going to be completely safe in the water while each adult held onto a toddler.

ragged · 01/05/2012 14:04

Our local public pool allows up to 3 under 8s with each paying adult.
When you ask "allowed", do you mean liability insurance?
There's nothing to stop a solo adult taking 6 under 5s into a private pool (or to the beach), I imagine.

FunnysInLaJardin · 01/05/2012 14:08

my CM used to take DS1 swimming and usually she had one or two other children with her. I had no problem with this, in fact it never occured to me that it was something to worry about

5madthings · 01/05/2012 14:19

6 children with 2 adults would be fine in a public swimming pool (depending on the pool rules, some vary and have lower numbers of kids per adult) as long as she has done a risk assesment etc i would say its fine :)

nannynick · 01/05/2012 17:30

But as it's not a public pool but is a private one, life guard arrangements may not be to your satisfaction.

Also many public pools have a toddler area, so lower water depth. As this is a private pool, you don't know what depth it is.

Probably best to contact her and tell her your reaction to it... whilst you like the idea of your DS going swimming (I expect) you do want some safety assurances and using a private pool does not fill you with confidence.

Seona1973 · 01/05/2012 17:39

Our local pool specifies 1 adult per child under 4 and 1 adult to 2 children between age 4 and 8 so I wouldn't be happy with the arrangement if there were no lifeguard and the water was deep.

reddaisy · 01/05/2012 17:49

I take my two DCs swimming by myself. Dd is three and DS is seven months and it is really hard work so I wouldn't be happy for a childminder to take my child on the ratios you mention because I know how difficult it is to juggle non swimmers.

KateShmate · 01/05/2012 17:55

Our old childminder often took our older 2 DD's swimming - it didn't bother me at all. She wouldn't have done it if she thought it was unsafe - and nor would your CM; she obviously feels that she can cope, otherwise wouldn't take them.

Maybe just tell her your worries before you decide not to use her any more..

stargirl1701 · 01/05/2012 17:59

Are any of the adults trained in life saving or life guarding? I would ask for current certification. I assume there isn't a life guard on duty as it is a private pool. I would not accept general first aid as an acceptable qualification.

wishiwasonholiday · 01/05/2012 18:05

Wish my friend had a pool we could go to! I take 3 under 8's swimmjng but my 7 year old is a good swimmer, don't think 3 under 4's would be easy but depends if other adults are there.

Stars22 · 01/05/2012 21:27

I think it really depends on how the children will be kept afloat. I take the 2 that i look after (they are 4) and have armbands, they keep afloat with armbands I could easily take another child with me and feel they were all being looked after safely.

eastnorth · 01/05/2012 21:30

If it was my child I would worry. Nice thing to do though.

Original poster

gnocci · 01/05/2012 22:18

Thanks for all the replies. I am totally torn. One half of me thinks Im sure it will be fine and as you say, a nice thing to do, and the other half of me thinks NO WAY am I entrusting someone else with my 18m old's life! It only takes a second of being distracted and she simply doesnt care about him as much as I do!!! I know, silly silly.

OP posts:

malovitt · 01/05/2012 22:40

I wouldn't be happy with this either & would not allow my child to go.

nannyl · 02/05/2012 08:51

slightly different, but as a nanny (who spent most of my life working in houses who had their own pools) I regularly took the DC swimming (2 children, just me)... and when friends came to play (with their nannys) then we wouldnt think twice of getting in the pool.

It was great fun.

(I am a very very confident swimmer, my charges all had swimming lessons by about 2, and could all swim a bit by 4 years old (or sooner))

and we had strict rules... the pools were fenced etc and no children were ever left in the pool area without an adult.... not even for a second... ever

nannyl · 02/05/2012 08:56

we have a local pool that allows 1 adult to 3 children...

i would meet a nanny friend there who had 3 charges and her own baby.... between us we would take in 6 children 5 and under.... aged 5, 5, 4, 3, 2, baby... (aged 5, 5 and 4 could swim "well", aged 3 could swim a bit, and aged 3 2 and baby had floatation aids.... all children were happy and condifent in the water!

this was allowed... and we were fine and satisfied the children were safe. (they were) this was to a public pool with lifeguards

anewyear · 02/05/2012 09:00

Hmm I have mixed feelings on this, Im a childminder, and to bo honest Im not sure Id be happy/confident, although Im a strong swimmer, taking very small Los swimming, private pool or not.
I did however last year take the siblings (6 & 9) I mind, with my 2 boys to a local pool that had floats that day, they are confident swimmers, and they all had great fun.

apotomak · 02/05/2012 09:24

Just don't give her permission to take your child swimming. Simples ;) The childminder must ask you in writing if it's ok to take your child swimming. Just explain to her that you really like her and would like your child to be in her care but you are not comfortable with taking her swimming. Just ask how often she goes (it may be once in a month thing) and ask her to arrange these visits when your child is not in her care. You don't even have to mention the safety issues you have just say that swimming is something you want to teach your child yourself.
I have two children of my own who are under 5 and one is 8. There is no way I would even entertain the thought of taking my own three swimming on my own let alone any other children who I look after. I think I could cope with maximum of 2 non swimmers.

HSMM · 02/05/2012 10:00

I don't think the Childminder has to ask (although I would), but you can specifically say you don't want your child to be taken swimming (if that's what you decide). However ... if this is something she does regularly with the other children she may prefer someone else to take the space.

Lostinroseland · 03/05/2012 10:49

Our pool specifies exactly what Seona1973 said - this is with a lifeguard present. Personally I think the risk is far too high if something went wrong

Lostinroseland · 03/05/2012 10:50

I say that as someone who did my lifesaving qualifications pre children

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