Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Flip

Original poster

question about car seat CM uses

24 replies

littlefrog · 30/04/2008 16:03

I just posted a similar in products, but maybe some of you know more about this.

CM came to collect DS in the car today (v unusual, she usually walks) and so I saw her car seat for the first time (I know, I should have asked to see it when we were signing the contract and stuff, but...). It's a sort of booster seat with sides, but it doesn't have its own straps - the car seat belt is the thing that's holding him in. It's also very evidently quite elderly.

Is it legal to use this kind of a car seat? DS is nearly 13m, and about 11kg. I thought seats for children this age had to have integral belts. I guess I'm wondering both about the general legality side (ie if I had one like this could I use it - not that I would), and the CM-specific legality side (she's looking after a child, can she use what may be out-dated safety equipment)?

And, while I'm about it, if I do have to/ decide I want to say to her that I'm bothered about him being in this kind of seat, how can I do so in a way that won't upset her? She's a wonderful CM...

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

KatyMac · 30/04/2008 16:07

By providing your own for her to use

It needs to have a 44 04 or 44 03 code on it - this is quite new so you can say you read something about it and does hers comply

BerkshireBella · 30/04/2008 16:15

Children under 3 must be in an appropriate car seat (not booster seat with normal seat belt until they are 4 yrs/15kgs), according to the THink! pamphlet by DirectGov. The only "unless" is if they are in the rear seat of a taxi.

I don't know how I'd approach the subject though, although if she is wonderful she will probably understand your fears.

Original poster

littlefrog · 30/04/2008 16:24

Oh really, Katymac, it's that simple? Is that special for childminders, or do all carseats now need to have those numbers on? I had a dig around online, and I couldn't find any clear guidance (what she has isn't strictly a booster seat, as it has sides and a back)

OP posts:

looneytune · 30/04/2008 16:37

Those seats shouldn't be used til child is 4 and a certain weight (can't remember weight off hand - pregnancy made me mush for brains!)

Definitely speak to her as this is your child's safety and an important enough issue!

Agree with Katy that best way of broaching it may be to mention you've read something and offer to provide a seat (although I personally provide proper safe car seats for all of my mindees, would be a pain to have to keep putting it in the car and taking it out)

looneytune · 30/04/2008 16:40

Got delayed as froze on me after I pressed post. Anyway, also agree about the childminder understanding your concerns. I personally would always prefer parents to approach me if they had concerns about ANYTHING

LIZS · 30/04/2008 16:41

Posted on your other thread . Some Stage 1 seats do legally use the adult belt only but they tend to be older styles and are less than ideal safetywise.

imananny · 30/04/2008 20:13

I know you dont want to upset your cm, but I cant beleive a cm or a nanny ( ie a trained experienced professional) would even contemplate using a seat like this with no straps for a 13mth old

I find this really irresponsible behaviour of her to risk a childs life by using the wrong type of car seat and you need to say something NOW!!

thebumcleaner · 30/04/2008 20:24

I found this on a ste

www.childcarseats.org.uk/types/index.htm

I would say that it is the wrong seat, and therefore she is breaking the law.

Before I had a range of seats I just used to ask the parents to borrow theirs.

LIZS · 30/04/2008 20:54

Hang on if it is similar to this one it is not illegal although dubious safetywise.

looneytune · 30/04/2008 21:10

I'm pretty sure that seat comes with a removeable harness. I have a fairly new one which had big age range from babies etc. but the harness is there for younger children and can be removed when turning it into a booster seat.

mumnanny1 · 30/04/2008 21:14

I know the child seat your talking about and they are totally unsuitable for a 13month old. I would have a word with her about this asap. She is putting you child in danger.

Saz73 · 01/05/2008 06:39

I'm a CM and make sure I have the correct seats with 3 point harnessess for all my under 5's. I do know of a cm in my area who does the same as your cm, the mindee CM cares for is about the same age and puts child in a similar seat with only a seat belt over the childs shoulder and it makes me so mad . I personally would provide your own seat or if you can approach her and have a chat about it and express your concerns.

shoshe · 01/05/2008 06:48

I have a 8 seater car, and at the last count had 14 car seats depending on the age and size of teh children I was taking out!

A child should always be in the age appropriate seat.

Daisysmiles · 01/05/2008 08:12

We have a Graco seat that sounds very similar to the one you are describing and it was fitted and sold to us by mothercare for an 18m old...(he is now almost 4 btw) the instructions clearly state that it is fine to use with the car seat belt from 18m... so maybe certain models are different.

Daisy

Original poster

littlefrog · 01/05/2008 08:35

Thanks so much, everyone, that's really helpful. I feel sure that when she bought it (probably quite a while ago) it was legal, and what everyone used then - it's just that things move on.
But it's clear that everyone thinks it isn't appropriate any longer, and that's what I feel as well.
I will talk to her, and suggest that we buy a seat for her to use for him. I hope that sounds sensible!

OP posts:

imananny · 01/05/2008 09:33

I feel sure that when she bought it (probably quite a while ago) it was legal, and what everyone used then

when on earth did she buy her seat frog?

I have been a nanny for 17 years and have NEVER used a car seat you are describing to put a child in it who is one year old!!

The seat must be ancient!!

You really must talk to her today - it only takes one little accident in her car, whether her fault or not,and your child could be seriously injured or die!!

Sorry to be so blunt, but I really cant believe a professional would risk a childs life like this

your cm may be wonderful,but i would personally wonder what else she might be doing that could be dangerous.

I am sure if I put one of my charges in a seat like that, I would be sacked on the spot for neligence!!

A friend has this in her contract for instant dismissal!!

Original poster

littlefrog · 01/05/2008 16:31

imananny, I take your point; however I wasn't instantly horrified simply because some friends have an extremely similar seat which they bought a couple of years back as a 1 yr + seat - they don't have a car, and it was the lightest one available, so possible to take on trains. But anyway, I think it's time for a car seat chat...

OP posts:

childminder90210 · 01/05/2008 23:22

The seat you are talking about has a lock off just above the shoulder which makes it perfectly safe for 13month child, I am a childminder and provide all my own seats but also have to store these seats when not in use and the lighter they are the easier they are to store. I would say of you are particularly worried about the seat she uses, then either leave yours for her to use, providing it fits her car safely, or offer to buy one for your child to use whilst in her care, which again will involve going to somewhere to get one fitted by an expert. I am sure she wouldnt deliberately use a car seat that was unsuitable or unsafe.

Original poster

littlefrog · 02/05/2008 09:12

childminder 90210 that's good to hear, and I agree absolutely, she wouldn't do something she believed was unsafe. But since I worry, I should get her a super-light more modern seat to use for him (she has loads of her own kids, so it needs to be something that can go in and out of the car REALLY easily!)
Thanks everyone.

OP posts:

southernbelle77 · 02/05/2008 09:35

I have a lightweight seat that can be used for groups 1-3. It's like a high back booster but has a 5 point harness too which can then be taken out when no longer needed. The back also comes off to make it a normal booster seat when the child gets older still.

imananny · 02/05/2008 10:26

Am I the only one on here who thinks it is weird and very UNSAFE to use a car seat with no 5 point harness for a 1yr old and just a seatbelt holding them in?

Sure there is a legal law saying children under a certain age/weight must be in a 5 point harness?

JumbleJack · 10/05/2008 10:32

There's a very simple answer here - You are not happy with your child being in that seat, therefore you have every right to speak to your CM about it and should do so. A good CM will care only for the safety of the child, and will either get a new seat (tax deductable) or accept your offer to supply one. If she is using a seat that is not suitable for the size and age of a child it would cause problems with her insurance should (God forbid) anything happen. I'm actually gobsmacked at the idea of using this type of seat for such a small child.

The bottom line here is that the child's safety should be paramount, and if she is upset by your addressing the situation, she is not such a wonderful CM!

JumbleJack · 10/05/2008 10:37

On the other side of the coin, I recently found myself persuading a mindee's mum not to put her (very small) 4 year old onto a booster seat, because I really felt that it was wrong. I put it as tactfully as I could, and pointed out the possible dangers, and in the end she took my point and didn't do it.

nannynick · 10/05/2008 12:33

imananny - I don't think the rules are that specific. It is more likely to be that you have to use the "correct type of restraint".
Types of Car Seats - it's done on weight. A 1 year old would usually be in a Group 0+ or a Group 1. Group 1 can be used until the child outgrows it.

Trouble I find is that with Group 1 seats, the child may outgrow it BEFORE they are heavy enough for Group 2. I find that children tend to outgrow the crotch strap part - it digs into them so much that it causes significant pain.
If they outgrow the 5-point harness, but not the seat itself... what do you do? It's not as though you can make the crotch strap longer (already on maximum length).
Have any of you found this to be an issue? How did you overcome it?

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread