Advice on anaphylactic shocks. CM not child!

[mumdone]

Hi, my amazing childminder is now regularly having anaphylactic shocks. They are getting more severe. Only happen at the wkend when they’re less careful but the last one they were airlifted to hospital. I’m getting worried for the safety of my child. She is always with another person in case it happens when children are in her care and usually she has 5-15 min trigger warning. When she’s off she generally organised another minder but this isn’t a long term plan.
Wwyd? Am I overthinking it?

She's always with another person. I guess you have your answer there. What do single mums with anaphylaxis do?

Good point.
What about insurance? Or for to work certificate? Would this affect either of those?

Although a single mother doesn’t have a choice. We pay a childminder to look after our children, hopefully in the best possible care.

I'd move my child to a different care provider

If she is always with another person why are you worried about safety?

If it bothers you so much then find a new CM.

If she is always working with another person, then safety wise I think your child will be in.

I would have reservations about using a CM who was so cavalier with her health. Why is she less careful at the weekend? Is she drinking excessively and losing judgement? Does this impact Monday mornings? I would be wondering about her judgement on other things if she takes such risks with her health.

My CM carries an epi pen for anaphylaxis. She's never used it while I've known her, weekend or working, because she is vigilant about her health.

What is she allergic to?

The other person will be looking after her rather than the children though, when this happens. And what happens to them if she needs to be taken to hospital?

I wouldn’t be happy with this. A single mother with allergies is not the same thing as a child minder. Presumably a single mother will make sure that she doesn’t come into contact with anything that could trigger her. If the childminder is experiencing such severe reactions due to carelessness, then she’s almost deliberately putting other people’s children at risk. Who is this person who’s always with her? Are they a registered childminder seeing as they have to look after the children when she goes into shock?

No she doesn’t drink.
It’s an airborne allergy.
She is hypertensive at the moment.
She is less careful the weekend as she goes out, pops into a garden centres or a college to view with her older children, and there something will trigger her reaction.
I’m worried in case sometimes she may not be with someone else. On the one occasion she goes somewhere without someone, pops to a shop and something triggers a reaction and she goes into shock before a trusted person can get to her. Leaving my child strapped to a pushchair.
I’m worried as I’m a mother.
Just wanted to get others perspective in case I am being overly cautious. I do tend to over think things!

Yes she is mostly with another childminder who would have to look after her and the children.

I definitely see why you're worried. To be honest, I think I would look into alternative childcare arrangements.

Sadly if the anaphylactic episodes are increasing in frequency and severity there is likely to be a permanent end in the not to distant future.

In your position I'd find a new CM or a nursery.

I would definitely find another CM. Poor woman it sounds terrifying.

I would politely be looking at other options. I feel for the CM but this isnt a one off allergy that is well managed and must be quite terrifying for the children to witness to. Also the other person that is always there, are they also suitably trained, qualified, vetted and insured as that would add to my concern

How awful for your childminder and how distressing for you as a parent to be constantly worried due to the increase in these episodes. Obviously your childminders health comes first and my opinion is that her allergies are dangerous to herself and potentially to others regardless of if she has another minder / responsible adult to hand, this could put the other childminder over numbers and will be a strain on the other adult to not only look after all the children but also the poor childminder herself. I would wonder what Ofsted's take would be on this situation and if she has notified them of the seriousness of her allergies.

Poor bugger, that must be terrifying for her. Especially if she doesn't know what the actual cause is. My husband has that kind of allergy and carries epi pens and it's one of the most frightening things to experience. Right at the top scary.

Tbh I would change provider, if she doesn't know what her triggers are she should concentrate on finding out what it is before working again. Easier said than done I know.

I can fully understand your concerns for your child, whilst also being worried for the childminder. I wonder if she has notified Ofsted of her change of health. I know they are concerned about the impact the health issues have on the care & education of the children.