Just want to check that I'm doing the right thing..

[Therewere5inthebed]

I would really appreciate some advice from other childminders.. I currently care for a 25 month old girl who wears reusable nappies, she is in a size two which are far too small for her and despite 3 attempts at discussing the problem with parents this has not changed, apart from the discomfort to the child it's making my day very difficult as the nappies do not contain the poo, it comes flying out the sides despite me changing her as soon as she's pooed.

I had to change my clothing after the clear up operation yesterday as there was such a mess it went everywhere. The straw that broke the camels back I think as I explained what happened to her parent and then said unless they are willing to work with me on this it is a deal breaker..

I explained that it is my home as well as my place of work and that previously parents using reusables have swopped to disposables if they think their child is near to being potty trained and were not willing to buy the next size up for a relatively short usage time. Personally I think she is at least 6 months away from being ready for potty training.

What would you do?

Yes give notice as the parents refuse to acknowledge your pov despite repeated attempts to engage them in dialogue

Not fair on you and certainly not fair on the other children in your setting because of the time taken, daily, to deal with.

I'm not sure if I would give notice- purely because I'm not sure I would be in the financial position to do so. Although fully agree that it's our home aswell as buisness property, and it's not fair on you or other children to have to go through this.

I currently have a 18mnth old in washable nappies, and I despise them- mental note to never use on my own children. The child needs changing every hour, and other children always complain the mindee is smelly! It's really unpleasant, although not as bad as your experience!

I would, and often do, tell the parent, washable nappies aren't going to be suitable today because we are going out for the morning, going on the train, or to the farm, so I will put disposable nappies on. I can guarantee if they fall asleep in the buggy, the nappies will leak all over the seat. I'm not sure if this is a general quality of washable nappies, or if my parents have wrong size also...the don't seem too tight, but I'm pretty sure they are second hand nappies.

AMI88

I'm not in a stable enough financial position to give notice either really but have reached the end of my tether, I'm pretty sure that at the meeting I've arranged for tomorrow they will not be prepared to compromise and I will have no option but to give notice.

I've also had the same problems with re-usables that you mention, but it has either been because the nappies are too small or wraps not on properly. blooming parents I always put the child in question on a towel in the buggy as I got sick of needing to wash the buggy covers every few weeks.

I've had other children in the same type and they neither smell or leak, it's all down to how they're washed and if they fit. It would certainly make me think twice before taking on another child in them though.

5inthebed- it's a tough one, what would parents do if you brought a pack of disposables and refused to use washables?

Regardless of what the issue is, if your not on the same page as parents, it makes our job a million times harder. Definitely agree you needed to tell parent how important the nappy size is- this must happen to them when child isn't in your care?! X

I told them this morning that if we couldn't reach a compromise I would put her in disposables when she was with me and bill them for them, as parent couldn't see what was bothering me so much!

It does happen to them but they are not particularly hygiene conscious and it doesn't seem to bother them..she regularly arrives looking very grubby.

I do feel like they think they can take the Proverbial a bit tbh, late payments despite reminders etc, they seem to think it's a one way street.. They are very professional people and I struggle to comprehend it all sometimes..

I think there is probably only one way for it to go really, it's the little one I feel sorry for the most though, she's happy and settled here and doing really well developmentally but ultimately it will end in tears..

As a nanny I have turned down jobs that use real nappies

The past few experiences with them in past 3yrs have put me off

They leak. The child smells of a pissy tramp (sorry) and I gag when changing them

I would either pay for a pack of disposables and use on her or if parents won't buy larger size then seriously think about giving notice

Not fair on you your home or other mindees

Now I'll confess to being a reusable nappy fan but they've got to fit properly and you've got to wash them properly or they just don't do the job and that's no good for anyone. An older child is going to need boosters to prevent leakages and not microfiber.

So given that the parents seem not to care that their child's nappies aren't actually any good (and don't they notice at home?!) and probably won't change of their own accord you're left with buying disposables and charging them or letting their business go because you're right that you can't carry on as you are.

Thank you all for your replies, it's really helped me to clarify things in my head, I was beginning to doubt myself and think that it is all part of the job!

I'll ensure I'm firm with the parents tomorrow mentally armed with the knowledge that others would do the same if no other options can be found.

Have a usually cold and a on me..

I would be firm & say sorry no more reusables and either you provide disposables or I will provide them & add to your bill.

How'd it go? It's rubbish if they don't care enough about the effect it's having on you - maybe they're just bring dense and haven't heard it properly... Or maybe they're not being respectful towards you.