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Original poster

Nannies - advice on mum insisting small 4 year old doesn't need a CARSEAT

86 replies

DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:34

Mum and dad boss are both insisting that there ds does not need a CARSEAT when I take him out in the car. He is tiny for his age (more 3 year old size) so I'm sure he needs a car seat preferably a high back booster.

In result of them not supplying one I've stopped doing any extra activities with him after school that involve a car journey - which they are not happy about

What can I do to ensure they provide a CARSEAT?

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wheredidiputit · 21/01/2013 10:38

here car seat law.

Child need to 135cm or 12years before they do not need a car seat.

I would refuse to take the child in a car unless they have a car seat.

Flisspaps · 21/01/2013 10:40

I would show them this and this

It's quite clear that the only time a child can travel without a car seat is in exceptional circumstances. Other than that, keep refusing to take him on any journeys requiring a car. As the driver, it is you who will be fined, not them!

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:41

I am refusing to as I know he needs one, they say he screams and has a tantrum when put in one.

Feel I should buy one so he doesn't miss out

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NaturalBaby · 21/01/2013 10:41

Government recommendations:"Children must use the correct car seat for their weight until they reach 135 centimetres tall or their 12th birthday, whichever is first."
The law on car seats: "It is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that the child is correctly restrained."

Why on earth do they not want their child in a car seat?!

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:43

I think they think he's invincible to crashes etc, I've followed them before and he is not belted in and jumping around the car!

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Flisspaps · 21/01/2013 10:44

Oh well, avoiding a tantrum is clearly far more important than ensuring your child's safety Hmm

NaturalBaby · 21/01/2013 10:45

Do they even put a seat belt on him?

They need to have words with a paramedic or police who have attended road traffic accidents where small children have been seriously injured to think about the consequences of their negligence.

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:46

Flisspaps It ridiculous! They recently took him on a 2 hour journey with out a CARSEAT - I know because it was one of the very very very rare occasions it was in my car!

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BrandyAlexander · 21/01/2013 10:47

Words fail me. It's the law!!

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:48

Natural baby - I don't think they belt him in as when I've had him the car he refuses to wear one and if u put it on him he takes it off

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BobbiFleckmann · 21/01/2013 10:49

am not a nanny / cm, however that is so nuts that it would probably make me want to leave the job because it demonstrates that they're utterly certifiable.

Pourquoimoi · 21/01/2013 10:50

If it stops you taking other children out I would tell them you can no longer take their dc unless they provide a car seat.

Tell them the law etc again and say you are unwilling to do anything illegal. They won't find another childminder willing to break the law as they may lose registration.

They can get a cheap car seat for less than the cost of a couple of days of childcare.

Some people really have NO sense! (Them, Not you!!)

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:50

I love my job and in every other way they are great employers. It's just the CARSEAT thing that annoys me

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Xmaspuddingsaga · 21/01/2013 10:50

Of course YANBU . Madness words fail me really.

Pourquoimoi · 21/01/2013 10:51

So they have got a caraway?, they just don't use it or give it to you to use?

Pourquoimoi · 21/01/2013 10:52

Autocorrect! I meant car seat!

yousankmybattleship · 21/01/2013 10:52

They are mentalists. You have to refuse to take him in your car without a car seat. Hopefully if you make it inconvenient for them they might do the right thing and buy a car seat. Some parents just don't deserve to have children.

nannynick · 21/01/2013 10:53

You as driver are responsible.
Is it your own car? Could you not buy a seat?

NaturalBaby · 21/01/2013 10:54

If you drive past a car in public and a child is not restrained with a seatbelt - i.e breaking the law, can you phone the police? I've wondered when driving past obviously unrestrained kids before. I'd be very tempted if I knew a family that was doing this on a regular basis.

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:55

They have a carseat which is currently sat in the garage gathering dust!

Yes I use my car, I could buy one but feel I shouldn't have to as they should supply one

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munchkinmaster · 21/01/2013 10:55

You explain to your employers that as part of your job you will teach wee boy to sit in a car seat. Pitch it as a favour. I bet you can even hire one to convince them. I bet you will get him sitting in it (might not do it for mum and dad though but that's hardly your problem).

yousankmybattleship · 21/01/2013 10:56

Can't you just take the carseat from the garage whenever you need it?

munchkinmaster · 21/01/2013 10:56

Ah cross post - get it out the garage!

GrassIsntGreener · 21/01/2013 10:57

Could you buy a car seat and file the receipt with them?

Original poster
DillyDallyDayDream · 21/01/2013 10:58

Ive done that but don't feel it's safe, on inspection it's cracked. I haven't checked recently if its there but no doubt it's not.

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