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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

Nannies - do you put the children in the front?

23 replies

Nannyto2 · 18/08/2012 13:11

Basically what the title says!

I have to put the youngest in the front as my ridiculously short seatbelts in the back don't allow his carseat to be secure in the back.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

nannynick · 18/08/2012 14:00

No, not if I can help it. Sometimes you have no choice, in which case I would select the biggest child (ideally the most sensible child, as the door can not be childlocked and there are various buttons in their reach).

In your case, if you can't physically get their seat in the rear then you have no choice but to try the front seat. However you may want to look at getting a new seatbelt fitted, or a different car seat.

SheilaWheeler · 18/08/2012 14:02

If I really have to use the front seat I make sure the air bag is turned off. We bought a Citroen specifically for this purpose.

Original poster

Nannyto2 · 18/08/2012 14:05

I have no passenger airbag & new car is not finically able at the moment

OP posts:

SheilaWheeler · 18/08/2012 14:16

In that case, it sounds like you really have no choice other than to use the front seat.

Perhaps you could discuss it with the child's parents to make sure that they are okay with this? None of 'my parents' have ever queried me using the passenger seat, by the way.

Original poster

Nannyto2 · 18/08/2012 14:25

Mum boss was happy to but Dad boss wasnt

OP posts:

Machadaynu · 18/08/2012 14:38

You can get seatbelt extenders - essentially a clip and a buckle with a foot of seatbelt fabric in between. Taxi drivers have them for some of their larger passengers, but I don't see why you couldn't use one to help secure the car seat in the back - they're about a tenner I think.

nannynick · 18/08/2012 15:27

I would guess a new seatbelt could be £200 or so... guessing though. Have you asked your car dealer? If in London, could try asking SeatBelt Service who offer mobile fitting of replacement seatbelts. Dad boss may be happy to pay the cost?

Machadaynu · 18/08/2012 15:54

Or you could still just get an extender for a tenner ...

confusedpixie · 18/08/2012 17:03

I do, I have three kids in my car so one has always had to go at the front in her booster seat. I brought a new car in May and the parents were not happy with me having a car with an air bag, so I brought a vauxhall astra and had the passenger air bag taken out manually.

Blondeshavemorefun · 18/08/2012 21:55

no never, i have an air bag so cant but even in older cars i feel that children should be in the back

you need to either get a new seat belt/extender or a new car seat

janesun · 19/08/2012 20:04

No, I don't drive in my current role so unfamiliar with the regulations here however I follow what the road authorities say as in the unfortunate case of an accident, I would not like to be liable.

Strix · 20/08/2012 07:48

As a parent, I would not be happy with travel by car if it meant one of my children (especially youngest) had to ride in the front.

Original poster

Nannyto2 · 20/08/2012 17:28

Strix - I understand you comment but if it came down to badly fitting carseat or perfectly fitting in front seat. What would you choose?

OP posts:

Strix · 21/08/2012 13:05

I would expect you to put the safety of the child first and choose not to make the journey by car. Get on a bus? Walk? Don't go?

If I was providing the car, it would be properly equipped. If I was paying a nanny and she was proving the car, I would expect her to ensure it was properly equipped.

I'm a bit shocked that you think it's okay to put a small child in the front seat... Maybe I'm a freak about safety, but it is know as the "death seat" for a reason.

Dordeydoo · 21/08/2012 21:35

Strix - it's my car and I currently can't afford a new one although its top of the list.

Walking/bus is doable for some journeys but not all ie the baby clinic - would involve 3 bus changes and a 20 min walk on one journey

HolyOlympicNamechangeBatman · 22/08/2012 05:02

Basically it's the parents' problem. Their choices are;

Provide you with a car or provide your car with seatbelt extension/new seatbelt/different car seat.

Be ok with the child sitting in the front seat

Accept that you can't go to baby clinic/anywhere that it is not practical to go to on the bus/train/walking.

Strix · 22/08/2012 08:07

I think the seatbelt extension is the answer. New car seems a bit OTT.

But, whilst the children are in your care, surely ensuring their safety first and foremost is your responsibility.

If I discovered my childminder/au pair/nanny was putting my baby in the front seat I would have a chat and ask them to stop immediately. I would rather they missed a routine visit to baby clinic than my baby's safety was put at risk.

I'm not sure this is the parents' responsibility, assuming you are a live out nanny and are using your car in return for reasonable mileage (42p per mile or whatever it is now). I think it depends on what was discussed/agreed in interview and contract negotiation. If they didn't ask you if your car was suitable for transporting the baby, then you probably have reason to ask them to buy the seatbelt extender. But, if they asked you about transporting children in your car and you sad all was in order, then they could reasonably expect you to show up with a car that is equipped for the purpose.

I think safety comes before comfort, and I would sooner get on 3 buses and walk for 20 minutes than put my children's health and safety at risk. The fact that this is not your priority would worry me.

But, really, we are debating things that don't really need solving here because all you need is a seatbelt extender.

Dordeydoo · 22/08/2012 09:24

How am I not worried about the child's safety?? I've checked with my employer whose ok with the arrangement, as their is no airbag and his chair fits perfectly.

Strix · 22/08/2012 16:03

Thought you said dad boss wasn't happy?

Actually, am I confusing two different posters?

Strix · 22/08/2012 16:08

Even without an air ad the front passenger seat is the least safe seat in the car. Last place I'd put a baby. If the parents are okay with this, I guess you aren't breaking any rules. But I certainly would not be okay with this.

But then maybe I am a safety freak, as no one else really seems to be as shocked about this as I am.

(my kids travel on the bus)

Dordeydoo · 22/08/2012 16:58

No you not confusing 2 posters I name changed.

Dad boss wasn't overly keen but will allow it to happen

nannynick · 22/08/2012 21:43

I found having a toddler on a bus quite scary - we don't do it often. Steep steps, high seats, no seat belts, nothing to stop them wandering around (I held on to them tightly). Bus clipped a curb and leaned to the side quite a lot, bit unnerving - it stayed the right way up though I did wonder if it was going to tip over.

Blondeshavemorefun · 23/08/2012 08:39

Why don't you get a new seat belt / adjuster??

There is no need for children to go on the front - to me it's a safety issue and if we had an accident whether my fault or not I could never forgive myself if a child got hurt if in the front

And those who turn off airbags do you turn them back on every time you have an adult passenger in your car - if not then you are risking their life as well

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