Childminder & dogs

[Wittyname10]

Hi All,

First ever post and it's a moral dillema.

Theres a TLDR at the bottom btw!

We'd been using a childminder local to us since around April time, and until recently things had been going well. There were a couple of issues that niggled slightly but nothing that really concerned us as the kids were always happy at drop off and pick up.

The CM has a 1 year old working dog that needs lots of outside time, dedication and big walks. Until last week on drop off the dog had been kept out of the way, and as far as we were aware always kept out of the way unless they were doing some dedicated learning about dog behavior. However things change last week and the dog was now present, but on a lead at drop off time, straining and very excitable, jumping up and trying to lick the kids. It was very chaotic and made it impossible to exchange any information with the CM as I was more concerned about getting the kids settled and she was more concerned about training her dog.

I dropped my son off on his own last week, and the dog got very close to him but the CM pulled her away before she could touch him - he still got upset and I had to leave him there crying which obviously felt awful but I was rushing to work and she insisted I leave and he would settle just fine. I dismissed it as a one off and he wasn't feeling 100% at the time - in the end I had to go and collect him early anyway as he wasn't well enough to stay in her opinion. I thought the dog was there as a one off as it was just my son being dropped off.

Monday morning rolled around and I did drop off, the dog was there, jumping and straining at the lead, and I could barely persuade the kids to move out of the porch and through to the playroom as they were hesitant around the dog. They moved eventually and as they did the CM took the dog in to the playroom (we were not aware the dog was allowed in to the playroom), and I slowly persuaded the kids to follow - my daughter was fine but my son was very hesitant. The dog got right in his face, licked him, had a paw on his head and was most definitely not under control in any way. I had at that moment just been trying to raise my concerns about the dog being around at drop off and how exposed the kids were. Obviously this incident occurred and upset my son and I got angry and said this is unacceptable.

We have now pulled the kids out, as we are not happy with her response to our concerns (she said "you have a choice, you can leave if you want, this is how it is now") that she is basically using the children in her care to train her excitable puppy to be better around people. She also lied to my wife who went over to try and smooth things over with her.

So the dilema: other kids go there, CM claims she has the support of their parents with what she's doing, but we have now seen she is happy to lie to keep up her side of the story.

We are also neighbours which further complicates things.

Are we under any sort of obligation to report her? I'm terrified I'll look out my window one day and see an ambulance.

TL:DR what are the rules around dogs/domestic pets within a childcare setting? Are you obligated to report any concerns you have?

Thank you all for reading!

My childminder had a dog he was well behaved and then when he got older he was given a dog run now she has younger dogs she has a helper for the dogs

I dont like the sound of yours at all

The rule for childminders is that they have to keep children safe in their care.
If she hasn't got the dog under control then the children aren't safe.

I would report to Ofsted and tell them about the situation - that the dog is over excitable, straining on the lead, has licked and pawed your child and made him fearful and is not being kept separate from the children.

Ofsted will probably want to visit to inspect the childminder. I know a childminder who was given an inadequate grade because their dog put it's paws up on the kitchen counters during an inspection so Ofsted will take this seriously.

She will guess it is you that has reported her though.

I should say that their previous childminder had dogs, but I only became aware of this when my wife told me she did when discussing our current issues. They were kept outside in kennels while the kids were there unless going for a walk or to the park to play.

Thanks everyone for your input, it would seem there’s a general consensus that what’s happening is not at all good, from here and from speaking to others.

My childminder had a failed guide dog... it was obviously trained and always well behaved.
I have dogs and love dogs but I wouldn't put up with a dog around my DC as you describe. Best look for a different childminder. Just explain (if you feel the need) that DC is scared of the dog.

I am a childminder and I have a dog.
the rules are that the children have to be safe at all times (obviously) and they are never left alone with a dog.
My dog is crate trained and only interacts with the children when I can supervise fully.
I would not be happy with your situation

I was an ofsted registered outstanding childminder for ten years. I had two dogs, two cats, rabbits, Guinea pigs and horses - all at home. A lot of people chose me because of the interaction with animals BUT my animals were very calm, well trained and children were NEVER left unsupervised plus I had a huge amount of documented risk assessments in place

I would not be happy with such a ‘lively’ dog around the children either. If you felt appropriate you could report your concerns to ofsted

Def not a safe environment op and right to report

Can you speak to any of the other parents

Thank you all again for the further responses. Things have escalated now, and she has threatened us with legal action if we do not pay up the notice period. The contract states care must be made available and she is insisting she has made care available, but if we don’t feel the environment is safe for our children are we then in the wrong for not paying? I think this is my first ever AIBU!

No, she must make care availability that is safe and meets ofsted a requirements.

Put a complaint in writing to her.
She has 14 days, I think (she might have a complaints policy and a pet policy if she's not daft) ask for her insurance details also. They will have been displayed in the setting.

Write to the insurers, (Mortan Michell is one) and copy her in, asking if an untrained, lunging dog is covered by her insurance?

Agree care has to be safe and approved by ofsted

this dog isn’t safe

Thanks again for your input everyone, we’ve lodged a complaint with the Scottish care inspectorate today.