Childminders and Dogs

[Nataliemargaret]

Iv been trying to find out the laws regarding childminders with dogs!!!

I have two sons that are currently being looked after by a childminder with two dogs an d half the time an additional which is her mothers.

Both my boys arent very good with animals and can be quiet heavy handed. This was explained before i decided to take the minder on. I was promised that the dogs would be kept away from the children, especially as one of the dogs is going blibd and can be grumpy!

There has now been several occasions when she has complained that the boys have been annoying the dogs, wont give them peace etc.

Today she handed me an incident form a s one of the dogs nipped my youngerst.

I am at a loss as what to do!!!!

Both my boys are going to be starting aftyer school care after summer hols, but i have to put up with this at moment.

Aaaaaarrrrghhh! really streessed!!!

Can you not find alternative arrangements rather than send them back. There is no way i'd let a child return to a childcare setting where a dog had bit them.

You could call Ofsted and ask if they need to be notified.

I would expect her to have a risk assessment regarding the dogs and her mindees showing how she minimises the risk of bites from the dogs

If she hasn't done one to show you (and I'll bet my hat that there isn't one) then I would say to her right that's it you are failing to keep my children safe and withdraw immediately

I'd take my ds out, too. But I understand it can be difficult to find alternate arrangements and then you'd probably have to pay her notice period (after reading some threads on here about that), so effectively, pay double for childcare for a month or however long notice period is...

Surely she should be keeping the dogs and children separated? I would call Ofsted and report that your child was bitten too.

I would be asking questions about how the dog was able to bite my child when I was assured they would be kept separately. I would also terminate the arrangement.

There's nothing to say childminders can't have dogs, but they have to make sure that any animals are safe to be around children. With the EYFS you would expect her to have a specific written risk assessment about pets and how she will ensure that the dogs are either kept away or have "their own space" to get to if children are pestering them or getting overexcited, as well as how she will ensure it is explained and emphasised that the children have to be gentle with them and mustn't go near the dogs' toys/food bowl/etc, mustn't tug or pull at ears or whatever else wouldn't go down too well with certain dogs coming from a "stranger" who isn't yet part of their family group.

I don't want to delve into the usual dogs vs children argument that tends to break out in some sections of mumsnet, but I think there are nips and then there are nips - and it makes quite a bit of difference if it was a "pushed to the limit by ear pulling" type warning snap or a full-on and less provoked bad tempered bite. Either way you would hope the Cm was supervising the children and dogs closely enough that she could have intervened before the provocation got that bad or was generally keeping the dogs away and shut in another room if they don't like children.

I would never leave my child in a setting where he had been bitten by a dog.

I would take him out immediately and not pay any notice.

While your sons are in her care she is responsible for their behaviour as well as their well-being. If they were bothering the dogs it was her responsibility to manage to situation not yours.

I would tell her that your sons are not to be in the same room or garden as the dogs when they are in her care. I would also consider making an official complaint to her - she will have to inform Ofsted herself then. I'm a childminder and I don't like to drop a colleague in it but it could be a lot worse next time.

Having dogs around children has great positive points but if you see a problem developing you have to act immediately and she didn't. That makes me worry about future children in her care.

Agree there is nipping as in a warning and there is biting

have you asked your dc what happened if 4/5+ yes you may get a vague version but were they annoying the dog?

Yes cm should have been watching and all dogs need their own space which they can retreat to and know they are safe (ie a cage/bed that children are NOT allowed to go on/near) and this doesn't sound the case

remind cm of the eyfs and dog safety issues

does she know that you are leaving in sept yet?

any developments?

i have a puppy at the moment, and my own daughter got bit as she was harassing the dog in the dogs own space, i saw the incdent yet she swears blind she didnt. KIDS! he is tiny the size of a pug.
its great for the children to learn about how he grows, and how his teeth also falls out like theirs do etc.

Mine would be out of there immediately and an OFSTED report filed as well.