What should a setting look like?

[namechanged456]

Hi I hope someone can help. I met with a really nice Childminder and she offers everything we are looking for. However, her home looks a bit messy and smelled strongly of pets - like a damp dog smell. Even though I think she only has a cat. It was fine really but just piles of stuff piled on top of each other.
To be fair, I saw her at the end of the day so she had just finished with a whole day of kids. I'm not that tidy myself really but even by my own standards, it was quite bad.
Should I be concerned about this and over look this childminder based on her house? I don't think my dc would care tbh, she had toys and space (not massive) to play in.

Why not ask to go back for a second visit while she's working? this will give you an idea of how the working day feels and if you got her on a bad day/if it wasn't as bad as you thought etc. I'm always happy for a parent to come back when I,m working.

I would go back for a second visit (maybe in the morning) and see what you think while she has children with her. (It might explain some of the piles of stuff). Was the stuff piled dangerously or out of reach of the children?
I am quite organised and like everything to be tidy, but you wouldn’t guess that if you came round at the end of a busy day.

Also, there is a difference between clean mess (toys everywhere) and dirty mess (dirt and dust everywhere). Only you know if you are bothered about your children being in a ‘dirty mess’ type place.

How bad was the damp smell? Was it the kind of smell that would cling to your child’s clothes, so when you pick her up you can smell it on her? Would that bother you? It would me, so I would find someone else, but if you aren’t bothered and liked the minder, give her a chance.

Agree there is a difference of clean mess (toys) and dirty mess. I wouldn't be bothered by a clean mess but if her house is dirty I would not find that acceptable.