Would this put you off a childminded? (Dog)

[newbieminder]

Would it put you off a childminder if they had a dog? My exact situation is that I have one dog, a king charles cavalier spaniel. He would be kept in the kitchen behind a stair gate when the mindees are in the front room (where they spend most of the time). When we are in the kitchen I wouldn't usually (with my own kids) think to shut him out as he is very chilled and just lies in his bed, comes over for an occasional stroke but I obviously could if this is what the parents want.

I have 2 kids myself and the dog is no trouble, he's a total softie but appreciate some parents might be put off? I'm hoping not all?

It wouldn’t put me off but I’d obviously want to meet the dog first and ask if he poos in the garden if the kids will be playing out there etc.

Yes, it would put me off. On a practical level, my DH is allergic to dogs so he wouldn't be able to go in the house and we'd have to change and shower DS whenever he came home. I would also worry constantly about something happening. It only takes a second for something to go wrong.

The fact that your mindees are confined to just the living room would put me off as much as you having a dog. Unless the living room is very large and leads out onto the garden?

My eldest is 4 and my youngest is 5 months

Dog isn't interested in the kids, he prefers to chill upstairs (where minded kids won't be allowed) or in his bed in the kitchen so won't be bothered by 1 or 2 extra.

do the dog or kids go in the garden? Also where does she keep the dog when food is being prepared?

They won't be confined to a living room, they'll have access to the kitchen but I was going to put a gate up so that parents can be reassured dog isn't freely wandering around. They'll have access to my entire downstairs, open plan kitchen/diner and a large lounge with doors leading out on the garden. We'll be out and about a lot as well.

It wouldn’t be an absolute no if you are otherwise perfect and there are no other options. But you certainly wouldn’t be my first choice.

It’s not just worry about them being attacked by the dog (especially if he’s chilled), but I wouldn’t want my kids to be around the doggy smell all day.

I have dogs so definitely not anti dogs, but would not want the dog in contact with my DC. I’d want to be assured they would be kept separate at all times.

Oh I see, I misread and though you were putting you’d kids in this childminders place with a dog. My questions are still what I’d be asking though

Would you have your two children with you when you have mindees,? As that would be a no for me. Been there done that and actually they had a stay in the front room thing also. I moved them asap - personally I would expect them to feel at home and not have to compete for attention with childminders own child.

Not too worried about a dog but my children are dog aware and know about dog behaviour.

Dog goes in garden and kids will too yes, will clear up any poo before I open for the day. My own kids have played out for 4 years alongside the dog and never had any issues with them standing in poo or anything.

I've never removed the dog from the kitchen to cook, it's an open plan kitchen diner and his bed is down the corner behind the dining table. But I can? Or I can move him into the utility when we're in the kitchen? I haven't opened yet, still in planning stages so I'm flexible. Worst case dog can be passed on to my parents to live with them but surely there are childminders out there with family pets?

Agreed, I wouldn’t be putting my kids in when you were there with your own very small ones, this would be what put me off.

A good friend of mine is a childminder of toddlers and babies and has two dogs. She is booked solidly and never has an open space for very long, so think there must be plenty of people for whom this is not an issue.

My eldest will be in school most of the time apart from holidays obviously and my youngest will be 12 months+ by the time I'm open.

Yes it would put me off.

I find it unhygienic for animals to be in a home. Fur that they lick on the furniture, etc etc.

I hate it when I go to friend’s houses and they pet their dogs or cats and go back to preparing food etc.

These aren’t ok in my opinion, it’s a business, you may miss some poo and I don’t to pay for my kids to take the risk. Dog in kitchen while preparing food in a business is 100% a no no, which is very obvious! Your standards for your children at home are not the same as standards for a business being paid to look after your children.

It would put me off, but my aunt has a dog, and is a very successful childminder.

I've got a small dog and been a childminder for 15 years. Most people that visit like the fact that thier children will be around animals and always say it's a positive thing.

There's only been 1 family in the last 4 years we have had him that have visibly recoiled when I mentioned the dog.

Be upfront about it from the off in your advertising/initial call and the people who really will mind can have the option to decide not to progress at an early stage.

Yes it would but also I am not sure it would be fair on the dog

Sorry OP, but I'd be on edge if my baby went to a childminder with a dog! Most owners would argue and say their dog is well behaved, but it doesn't take much for a dog to turn. Not all dogs, obviously, but it's not a risk I would take!

My dad had a dog, and when I came along afterwards, the dog would growl at my pram with me in it! No matter how good she was for my dad and how well behaved she was, she did NOT like me. Dad would have to keep a CONSTANT eye xx

Wouldn’t put me off but I used to childmind many years ago and had two big dogs. Things are very different now though.