Childminder is a smoker

[Myusername2015]

My 9 month old is about to start with a great childminder next week full time when I return to work. I didn’t notice any smell of smoke when I met her but last night she came round to babysit and had a strong smell of smoke. She also left her policies here to read and the smoking one says “she won’t smoke in the house and anywhere near children” 😕 now this is a really sensitive one for me anyway as my mum died from lung cancer but now I’m scared of the risks of passive smoking for my little one. Would you be concerned?

I would find an alternative. Yes nursery workers smoke too and it is a concern as well.

Also, regarding the contract, I would be honest with her and say you would never have signed the contract if you had seen the terms and conditions and had known that she smoked.

Thirdhand smoke is residual nicotine and other chemicals left on indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke. People are exposed to these chemicals by touching contaminated surfaces or breathing in the off-gassing from these surfaces. This residue is thought to react with common indoor pollutants to create a toxic mix including cancer causing compounds, posing a potential health hazard to nonsmokers — especially children.Thirdhand smoke clings to clothes, furniture, drapes, walls, bedding, carpets, dust, vehicles and other surfaces long after smoking has stopped. The residue from thirdhand smoke builds up on surfaces over time. To remove the residue, hard surfaces, fabrics and upholstery need to be regularly cleaned or laundered. Thirdhand smoke can't be eliminated by airing out rooms, opening windows, using fans or air conditioners, or confining smoking to only certain areas of a home.

Children and nonsmoking adults might be at risk of tobacco-related health problems when they inhale, swallow or touch substances containing thirdhand smoke. Infants and young children might have increased exposure to thirdhand smoke due to their tendency to mouth objects and touch affected surfaces.

Thirdhand smoke is a relatively new concept, and researchers are still studying its possible dangers. In the meantime, the only way to protect nonsmokers from thirdhand smoke is to create a smoke-free environment.

If you were otherwise happy before then personally I would give her a chance. Perhaps she only smokes in the evening and that's why she smelled so strongly on this occasion? If you ever smell smoke on your baby then that is a different story and I would withdraw from the contract, but otherwise the fact that she smokes wouldn't necessarily be a deal-breaker for me. If you've spent so long looking then you may not have much choice anyway.

My staff are not allowed to smoke in their nursery uniform and certainly not anywhere on the premises inside or out, not even within sight of the building
None of my staff smoke thankfully

Thirdhand smoke is a crock of shit relatively new concept, and -cranks researchers are still creating studying its possible dangers.

I removed my child from a situation like this because after popping in early one day to collect her husband was smoking in the kitchen.

A gp on a program the other day also told a Dad of a child with repetitive ear infections that even smoking outside could be damaging because it was still on your clothes.

I ruled out an otherwise nice childminder because her house smelled of smoke. I think it was actually another family member, but it just felt stuffy and horrible. I also tend to be quite negative if the kids see a stranger smoking and ask what it is, and wouldn’t necessarily want them to have a role model who smokes. It’s not just like any other vice as other posters have said - it damages people near by as well as the smoker.

Genuine question. How does someone smoking outside cause ear infections?

It would put me off to but I know most of the ladies at my kids' Nursery smoke as I've seen them at it behind the bike shed.
However I have never smelt smoke on them, think they are very good at disguising with gum or something.

As an ex smoker it would totally put me off.

My dds dad smoked. She stank when she came back from his. I could smell her coat in the back of the car. My best friend smokes. I rewrap the Christmas presents she sends as they smell.

I wouldn't leave my 9 month old with her. Did you sign the contract before you had seen these policies re smoking? If so I would ask to be released as you were unaware of the smoking and assumed that whilst she was working it wouldn't even be a question that needs answering.

Hang on, I didn’t realise it was in the policies and not the contrast. Did she give you the policies well in advance to allow you to read them before signing the contract? Or did she give them to you after you signed?

It wouldn't put me off if they were perfect in every other way. Nursery staff could smoke and you wouldn't necessarily know. The same goes for teachers once your child goes to school.

It would put me off. Frankly it was bad enough when a smoker friend help My youngest for 20 mins and when I got them back them smelled of smoke.

Donajimena apparently it is this, presumably enough inhalation from smoke on clothes:hair etc can do it:
“Inhaled smoke irritates the eustachian tube, which connects the back of the nose with the middle ear. This causes swelling and obstruction which interferes with pressure equalization in the middle ear, leading to pain, fluid and infection.”

Nope I would steer well clear. No one should be smoking around children. If she can’t give up for the job then she doesn’t have the children’s health in mind

Check out the eyfs guidelines. "Providers must not smoke in or on the premises when children are present or about to be present"
So if she is popping out for a fag when children are present, she is breaking the conditions of her registration.

Sorry to be pedantic "providers must not allow smoking" blah blah
So not just her but anyone else too.

I wouldn’t. Smoke on their clothes would be enough to give me the heebies.

No she showed me the policies on payment;settling in; behaviour etc when I signed the contract. She gave me the other ones including smoking in a folder to keep yesterday saying it wasn’t important just to make sure I had them for the record

I didn’t realise this. She hasn’t had an Ofsted visit yet (been going 18 months) so I suppose no one has spotted the policy doesn’t meet guidelines

She should've shown you the policies before you signed the contract, there should be a statement somewhere to say that you have seen the childminders policies. Either in the contract or on a separate permissions sheet.
(Ex childminder here but still in early years, happy to answer any questions you might have)

www.foundationyears.org.uk/eyfs-statutory-framework/

Link to the statutory framework Incase it's helpful.
Also they are mandatory, not just guidelines to be interpreted.

Just saw that she's made your living room smell of smoke....
Fuck that!!!

Seriously, just no

Sorry me again. And, if she was going off premises to smoke leaving the other with sole care it could possibly mean that they were then over ratios. (Unless they stick to one childminders allowance)

Good point. Thanks for all the advice...so unsure what to do!