Mindees and carseats

[shiningstar]

one of my mindees just turned up with a brand new car seat that is completly wrong for her! how do i tell the parents i dont want to use it without seeming like i am judging there parenting by choosing the wrong seat. the reason it was bought was because older siblings have the same seat. child weighs approx 26lb or 11.7 kg and is 2 and has a booster seat which the law states is for children 15kg and up (approx 4 years of age.
thanks

Say you can't us it yourself because of the legalities of being a childminder.

Just tell them straight - did you know tht car seat is for 4 years and above...?

Do you have to use it for her at all? You could mention how you wouldn't be covered on insurance if using incorrect seat...?

xpost with Soupdragon....

Law and common sense do not always work together. I care for a child who is a little under 15kgs, but who is too big to sit in the carseat in Group1 mode (multi point harness). Therefore it is in Group2 mode (held in with seatbelt).

Given the option between sitting in Group1 seat without the harness done up, and sitting in a Group2 seat with seatbelt holding child in... which would you choose?

With regard to your specific situation, if the child will fit in a Group1 seat, they should be in that seat, rather than Group2. Not sure about insurance coverage... insurers will always prefer the child to be in A Seat, rather than none.

I would ask them whjy she is in that seat..is there a particular reason. eg can't fit in other seat? Then explain that she is too small to be safe in the booster seat. That way at least you have informed thereof your concerns so they can't ever accuse you of not doing.

I dont know what I would do as I provide car seats for this reason, as I dont know how I would approach it, I am really funny about car seats and seat belts so thats why I provide my own, if you dont need to use it I would use one of my own and not use their one, if thats at all possible Good Luck