Childminder pets

[Happychildlfs]

I am writing for some advice. I have a 21 month old who has been with their childminder since 9months. I was advised at the time that they would be getting a puppy which wasn’t an issue as I have dogs of my own.
Over the past year their dog has chewed teething toys, bottles, beakers, numerous dummies, nappy cream, snuffle babe cream and now their shoes.
I have looked on the internet for regulations regarding childminder and pets where I have not been able to find anything that is clear. I appreciate childminder’s have pets as I do, however my concern is their dog chewing my child’s items and me being left to replace them.
I had a disagreement with them last week as my child was putting their hands in the dogs mouth. I was advised by the childminder that my child doesn’t listen (at 21months old) and that if their dog bites my child they will not be responsible. To some degree I agree as a child putting their hands in a dogs mouth is not a good things however they are only 21 months and do not fully understand. If they feel their dog could bite my child surely it would be best for both the dog and the child that they are separated during the day. Being a dog owner I know you can never fully trust a dog and should my dog bite my child I will be held responsible so why does the childminder think they are not responsible?
The childminder and myself have spoken and come to an understanding that I would work with my child being around my dogs which should stop them putting hands in their dogs mouth. We agreed that never the child and dog should ever be left alone so that we are not put in this awkward position, which seems to be working. However since this conversation their dog has chewed another dummy and now a pair of shoes as these items are left lying sound their house. My child is teething and finds comfort in their dummy which I am apprehensive about giving them when with the childminder. The childminder does not inform me their dog has chewed my child’s dummies or shoes these are left for me to find when at home.
I feel very uneasy leaving my child and her property with the childminder as I don’t know what her dog will chew next. Other than this I do not have any issues with the childminder. What would you do in this situation?

Well if it's chewing your child's stuff it's not really being supervised properly so my child wouldn't be going there.

aren't childminders regulated by an authority, either council or ofsted? Find out which and check their regulations regarding pets. If they are flouting them then report otherwise they will keep putting other children in danger. But first go find another childminder or nursery ASAP. Don't put your child at risk any further.

Try to find someone else OP. This is ridiculous behaviour on the part of your childminder.

Google childminders and dogs. It brings up a pdf from ofsted stating dogs and children have to be separated when childminders is working. She's breaking ofsted rules and could be barred from working. What other rules is she breaking and putting children at risk of harm?? Report her and look for another childminder, use leave if you have to. Do you really want that puppy biting off your child's nose or ear tomorrow?

I wouldn’t stand for this at all.
A 21 month old has basic comprehension but shouldn’t be blamed for the behaviour of the dog!
Does she even care? They should be supervised at all times.

Damage to your property is out if order too. Kids shoes are expensive!

Find somewhere else asap

@Pixiedust1234
Have you got the link to this. I can't find anything and it's not something I've ever heard 9f despite 3 outstanding inspections with a dog

I used to be a childminder, mostly did day fostering for SS had dogs and cats. Never had chewing problems like this. If my children or animals were responsible for damage I would pay. A puppy would be crated with small children around.

I’ve worked with childminders as a subcontractor and some had (well behaved) dogs so I don’t think there is a blanket rule. However common sense tells me that unless/until trained they should be fully separated from the children and as a parent if the dog was bigger than my child I think that would be a show stopper for me.

Certainly I would expect cm to replace anything chewed

She is not a good CM if she doesn’t understand this is not on

I was advised by the childminder that my child doesn’t listen (at 21months old) and that if their dog bites my child they will not be responsible.

My child would not be going back after that statement.

Find another childminder.

I have a dog and childmind and apart from anything else if my dog chewed and damaged a child's property I would be mortified and apologise profusely. It certainly wouldn't happen again.

My dog was a chewer as a pup, as several barbies can testify, but I've never let him chew the kids stuff. If he ever did I would offer to replace

They also don't put thier hands in his mouth, not because they are old enough to understand but because I am scrupulously vigilant when the children are around the dog.

I would be concerned about the supervision to be honest more than anything.

So, if your childminder warned you that they planned on leaving sharp knives and pans of scalding water all over the floor, it would be your responsibility to teach your young toddler not to touch them while in her care?

He position on this is absolutely outrageous and I'm surprised you are even asking the question. I would be removing my child immediately and reporting to OFSTED.

When my dc were younger they went to a childminder who had a dog. She would separate the dog and children during they day. They'd all go out for walks, dog included but they'd never be in the same room, plus the dog was old and very quiet.

Yes you have to teach your dc to be safe around dogs, but your childminder is trying to absolve herself, should to awful happen, by placing any blame firmly on you. She is responsible to ensuring her dog is safe! If her dog is chewing and letting a child put hands in mouth that's a huge red flag to me. If her dog is chewing Your child's items 'she' needs to be replacing them also.

Personally I'd be looking for a new childminder

I would pull your child out immediately; it doesn’t sound safe at all! My childminder has dogs but they are never left in the room with the DC and if his things were damaged I’d expect her to be mortified and replace them

You need to report to Ofsted and council. Childminder should have zero contact between children and dogs.

I'd be furious and remove my child immediately. She is not responsible. I love dogs but if one was chewing my child's belongings I wouldn't be happy. That dog is an accident waiting to happen.

Report her to ofsted and move your child. That's appalling.

I don't think that sounds good at all and you are right OP to be concerned. My son's childminder has a dog but she is extremely careful has lots of safety precautions in place and there has never been any incidents

I was advised by the childminder that my child doesn’t listen (at 21months old) and that if their dog bites my child they will not be responsible.

That would have been the last time I sent my child there. Our childminder also got a puppy but she also had dog gates to ensure the dog was kept separate from the children and the children and the dog only interacted when she literally had hands on both. I wouldn't have thought it was acceptable to do anything else - it's dangerous for the children and also sounds pretty miserable for the dog if it's constantly being prodded in the mouth by a toddler.

I would remove my child immediately and ask the governing body to look into it.
The childminder stating they would not be responsible if your child got injured by their untrained animal because your wee toddler should know better? Oh hell no.

The childminder has replaced all the chewed items I assume?

She doesn't tell you about the chewed items because she is embarrassed she isn't doing her job properly or just doesn't care , either way it's unacceptable! Why should you spend money on shoes that were chewed by someone else's dog . I would look for another childminder /nursery ASAP

If this childminder couldn't stop her dog ruining my things after having had a chance to address the issue, I would have looked elsewhere and moved her!
And that's not even starting on the other points raised in the OP!

Find someone else ASAP

You should not leave your child there. It's not safe. She clearly is not supervising adequately if the dog is able to chew all his stuff and he is able to put hands in the dogs mouth.
Whilst he is there the childminder is responsible both for the dog and for your son. Quite clearly if the dog bites your son the childminder will be responsible but now that you know her attitude you have to remove him before something happens
Ask to see her risk assessment about the dog. She needs to have one to show what steps she is taking to keep things safe
I think Ofsted would take a dim view of her not having one or not sticking to it.
I did use 2 childminders with dogs but both had good practices in place to keep the dog and children separate unless heavily supervised

I can't find the pdf pp has mentioned, but even cursory searching suggests that ofsted should be informed and a risk assessment completed.

Your cm is obviously not keeping your child safe - if the dog has access to have dc's hand in it's mouth, and is chewing dummies and shoes. I'd expect cm to pay for any damage.

But I'd have withdrawn my dc at the first comment about her not being responsible if the dog bites the dc!

Oh my goodness this is awful. I wouldn't send my child back there and I would absolutely report her! So she's prioritising her dog over the care of children she's entrusted with. I have 2 dogs, I love them to bits but they would never come before a child or anyone for that matter. Please remove your dc and report her.