Childminder car seats

[Sugaredlemons]

So I have been looking at childminders/nursery options. There is this free site and a well known local childminder took a second hand seat that had already been gifted at least once before through the same site. Didnt even ask any questions She has no kids that age so it must be for her childminding business. This has really put me off using CMs. To me this is a basic safety issue and no childminder should be using 3rd hand seats? Is it worth raising this with ofsted as a concern?

How do you know she was not getting for one of her parents, family members or a friend Who are on hard times? I often comment on people’s selling posts if I know a friend is looking for something similar and then get in touch with my friend if they have not seen it.

The group rules are you can only ask for yourself and your household. Admins are very strict on it.

Well admins would never know...

But anyway. Maybe you could just kindly let the seller know that they should dispose of the seats instead? Not everything has to be a complaint or lawsuit.

I personally always buy new car seats.

There's no law about using second hand car seats though?

I dont get why the suspected action of one would put you off all, has the news today put you off nurseries?
When you meet a cm you ask about things like car seats, you ask about if coats will be removed, you get a feeling and build trust.
How is any selling site going to enforce a you cant pass it on or resell rule? Do they come and inspect it being used.

I got a second hand baby seat once for the children to use with their dolls. In my car I've bought them all from new.

If you decide to use a CM just ask her whether she bought her seats new.

"This has really put me off using CMs."

Really? Even the ones with new car seats? Or the ones that don’t even own a car?

"To me this is a basic safety issue and no childminder should be using 3rd hand seats."

So, is it perfectly ok for a parent to do, to not a childminder?

"Is it worth raising with Ofsted as a concern?"

Apart from the fact that it is perfectly legal and doesn’t breach any regulations.... would you report a mum to social services who used a pre-owned car seat? There must be enough of them to keep you busy on the phone for a while. Or is it just childminders in particular that you’ve got it in for?

no childminder should be using 3rd hand seats

In an ideal world no adult should be paid less than minimum wage, yet most childminders are. Car seats are expensive if you have to buy three or four. There's no law to say second hand car seats can't be used so surely it's a better option than no car seat as long as it's been sensibly checked over?

Please DO report to Ofsted and let us know what they say OP. I'm genuinely interested to see what they have to say about this.

Why is it a safety concern?

What about second hand prams?

@Drogosnextwife.
It's a safety concern becouse you dont know if it's been in an accident. Car seats need to be replaced after an accident. You also need to check the replace by marking on the seat as they deteriorate with age. Obviously using a seat you know has not been in an accident and is within date is fine

Childminder here. I have bought all car seats from new (decent rear facing seats), however we do not know if the childminder was even asking for it for her car or someone else’s. Surely, todays news about the nursery assaults is much more concerning and should put you off all nurseries. Every nursery and childminder does things different. Go visit them, ask plenty of questions then make an informed decision about what is best for your child. Personally, I’d chose a childminder every single time. Good luck with your search

Personally, I’d chose a childminder every single time.

@Liverpoolgirl52 I have a 5 month old DD.. need to be thinking of who will look after her and in what setting in the next few months when I return to work..
I'm genuinely interested in why you would go with a childminder every single time ., need ideas for my DD. Thank you

OP, provide your own car seat if it concerns you (I understand why it does).

Surely, todays news about the nursery assaults is much more concerning and should put you off all nurseries.

I’d like to understand the logic behind this statement.

I can’t imagine this sort of thing happening at DD’s nursery as staff are never completely alone with a child. Nappy changes are done in bathrooms with open doors and other staff walking through the corridor so the opportunity to be alone with a child is almost zero.

Please can we avoid scaring already-concerned parents.

I’d like to understand the logic behind this statement.

You have to follow the thread properly and see it in context. She’s pointing out the ridiculousness of dismissing all childminders because of the (perceived) actions of one!

The childminders in my area ask the parents to supply carseats, otherwise they don’t do pick ups / drop offs.

Sorry yes, I wasn’t saying all nurseries were bad and things like that happen in them all. I was simply stating that if seeing one childminder buy a second hand seat puts Op off from all childminders then surely the news would put her off all nurseries also.

Personally, I’d pick a good childminder every time because I feel the care is more personal, the children can make secure attachments and the care is more tailored them. Also, we go on outings to the farm, fruit picking, toddler groups, soft play, library, cafes or wherever the children want to go or do. Recently a couple of the children mentioned they’d never been on a bus and asked if we could go on one, so we took a bus to the library. As well as the activities personally tailored to the development of the children present, whereas this is harder for a nursery due to the amount of children. We also follow the same EYFS as a nursery and are inspected by Ofsted too. We also tend to have the children from babies right up until secondary school. The children and their families really do become a part of our family. I’m not saying nurseries are bad, I think they do have their place. Some parents prefer them, whereas some parents prefer nurseries. I would definitely recommend viewing the local childminders and nurseries, read their policies and get a feel for each one. You’ll know what feels right for your child and you

It's very nieve to say it couldn't happen or I cant imagine it happening....these parents didn't imagine it happening, this nursery had policies in place they have to. Keep your mind open to possibilities then put the risk into perspective nothing is 100%.
With regard to a car seat if anyone felt concerned and wanted to be sure they could provide one

Yep
...report to Ofsted....
They actually won't give a monkeys.....

Surely you would provide the car seat for the childminder? You wouldn’t expect them to buy one for your child and keep replacing it as they grew? What if they’d just bought a new seat and then you left? I know second (or third) hand isn’t great, but maybe she was buying it as a “just in case of emergencies” option, in which case it’s surely better than nothing.

I provide all car seats, I need to make sure they fit my car and I can’t be bothered to keep taking them in and out of the car. I don’t buy a new one each time though. Most dc I care for are in stage one seats.

Hi op, how do you even know that the childminder isn't a friend of the person getting rid of the car seat? If she knows them, she should surely trust that they would say if the seat had been involved in an accident?

If the admins are so strict on you only getting things for your household why are they so lax about second and third hand car seats?
I know which one I would rather they were bothered about.

As others said it may be for a friend

Unless you supply your own car seat to cm
You will not know 100% if been in an accident /their history

I think most childminders will be thrilled not to have to deal with you tbh so you might be doing some of us a favour😊