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?

You wont know if a nursery worker smokes either so just moving isn't a simple answer. I would ask to speak to her and say that you noticed that she smoked and could she explain how she reduces the risk of not just smoking indoors (they are not allowed to smoke on the premises even out of hours) but the effects of residual smoke on clothing, for example she may wear a uniform which would make her the same risk as a nursery staff member who smoked.

“You wont know if a nursery worker smokes either ”

Then there’s no problem as that person is taking precautions, changing clothes, and doesn’t smoke on her breaks. This person didn’t do that and she could tell she smoke.

This would be a no brainer for me. Smoking is a deal breaker. Find alternative childcare.

I would find a different child minder. Total deal breaker. My mum also died of lung cancer.

I’d also find someone else.

Aside from the residual smell issue, I'd also be concerned about her having fag breaks during working hours. There's not many smokers that could go 10/12 hours in the day without even a few quick puffs and I'd be worried she'll be nipping out during nap times or whilst dc is playing etc which is definitely against ofsted rules & just doesn't seem right for a childminder

It would be a definite no from me.

I'm an ex-smoker and wouldn't consider a childminder who smoked. I don't want smoking to be normalised to my DS. I worked too fucking hard to quit and still have to work hard at it when I'm struggling with my mental health to let someone else make him think it's ok. It's a horrible addiction.

ShiftyMcGifty - the woman came in the evening to babysit so presumably not making normal steps she has to make as working in the day as a childminder. In the same way a nursery employee doing babysitting would come in non work uniform and may have smoked on the way. The op has said the cm setting did not smell it was when the cm came to baby sit.

Mymadworld Sun 04-Mar-18 18:42:10

Mymadworld
"Aside from the residual smell issue, I'd also be concerned about her having fag breaks during working hours. There's not many smokers that could go 10/12 hours in the day without even a few quick puffs and I'd be worried she'll be nipping out during nap times or whilst dc is playing etc which is definitely against ofsted rules & just doesn't seem right for a childminder sad"

The o[p has said that the cm works with assistants so the children would be supervised depending on ratio....In the same way nursery staff manage with or without fag breaks. Why assume because she is a smoker - or has been around a smoker she is a law breaker?

Absolutely a deal breaker for me too. No way would I have my child in smoker's home.

As a non smoker there have been times I've stank of smoke because I've visited homes of smokers, my husband also a non smoker has done the same after visiting friends and its smelt the house out- could it be worth asking?

I smoke and have raised 3 dc, friends and family know I smoke and I babysit for lots of people.
I don't smoke within half an hour of seeing to the kids and always outside.
I wash my hands and if necessary change my clothing, but I have a tendency to smoke away from my clothes, not down my nose and straight onto clothes, like some people do.
There is a nursery near me and the childcarers smoke outside before going in, on their breaks, dinner etc.
I'm sure they wash their hands before going in, but maybe their jackets smell on top of their uniforms.