CM with dogs?

[Butterpie]

We are considering sending DD1 to a childminder for one day a week, and have found one who we are going to meet next week, but she has two dogs (sound like big ones) as well as cats. She was at pains to tell me they are kept separate from the mindees, but would you be put off? What would you want to know before leaving your child in a house with dogs?

I had a dog as a child, she was lovely, but the dog we got after her was a nightmare (probably our fault if I'm honest) and if the dogs are like that, DD1 would be scared, not to mention the obvious risks of dogs and children.

But then again, I love the idea of DD1 playing in a loud and boisterous house full of children and animals, as our house is quite quiet I suppose. We are only looking at childminders to give her a regular time away from me and DD2, to give her time to stretch her wings a bit, so dogs could add to that difference from home.

But then you hear such awful stories...

I wouldn't have a childminder with a dog or cats, so yes, it would put me off.

she should have a pet policy that lets you know where the pets are kept and also that their vaccines/flea and worm treatments are all up to date. also do the children have any contact with the pets i.e helping to groom, helping to feed or play with them (some CMs do this as part of teaching mindees how to care for animals, lots of children without pets can benefit form it)

Would depend on the age of the child. I probably would be put off if looking for a place for a younger child, but not for an older one (maybe aged 5+). Personally, for a younger child I'd want a dog-free, cat-free house (but would be less bothered by cats).

as a childminder myself i would not send my child into a home with 2 large dogs that i didnt personaly know, yes the minder if she's good will have policys and procedures regarding the animals, but at the end of the day you only have her word as to there temprement and behaviour and i personaly wouldn't risk it.

DD1 is 3, sorry I didn't say.

Hmm, so mn thinks no. I'll have a look for somewhere else then...

i wouldn't dismiss her on that basis if it was me looking for a CM, OP. i would want to visit the hosue and see her pet policy and see references. but it definitey wouldn't put me off.

i recently got a puppy at all the kiddies request and parents are all for it, althoughi have boiught a small breed, he is 6 months old and only 7 inches tall to his shoulder :D

It wouldn't necessarily put me off, if the CM was sensible, the dogs well behaved, and she kept them and the children separated and the garden clean.

I have a dog, rabbits, chicken, ducks, fish and a guinea pig. In 7 years of minding everyone has absolutely loved it, it has been a major positive for all. Admittedly all come from dog owning families, although the only one who doesn't have any pets, her parents always say, "its great you have pets so we don't have to".

We are now proud parents to 11 chicks, the kids were there the day they started hatching and it has caused lots of excitement. (although we desperately now need to sell them before they all turn into cockerels .

Don't just pass her by, get references from other parents, see how she works, she might be brilliant with your LO.

I was concerned when DD2 started with her childminder at 5 months, as her CM also has 2 dogs, but there were so many other positives that I thought I would go with it and see what happened! TBH, it's never been an issue (DD2 is now 3.5, and goes there 3+ days a week) - the dogs are always separate from the kids unless they are on a walk etc, and DD2 is very relaxed with dogs because of it.

Like Bramshott I was really reticent about sending our little boy to a childminder with a dog, but it has worked out really well. He loves the dog and has talked a lot about him from being very young. It's a big part of going there for him.

I would want to be very sure that the dog is safe though.

A provision with pets can be very educational to children. If the provider is handling it all in a very sensible way - separate mess/pet area, policy etc.

Children learn to care for and respect other living things. Dogs (and cats etc) can teach children the fun of owning an animal as well as the responsibility.

My mindees adore my dogs - the 3yr old was petrified of dogs when she came to me. Now she won't leave them alone and when she sees a dog she just wants to love and pet them, we are now just learning that we MUST ask owners permission before touching a dog etc.
The children love helping walk them, throw a ball, groom them, they have even been to the vets with me and the dogs. Brilliant experiences for all of us.

That said, my dogs are used to being round children, I have strict rules - no pulling on the dogs, jumping on etc.

My sons minder has 2 hamsters, 1 gerbil, 2 guinea pigs and she occasinally dog-minds her friends pooch.

My colleagues have snakes and lizards. They are great to look at and although i can't stand the things it would not put me off sending my son(s) there if i needed another minder. Both these instances that I describe with other minders are because I know and understand how the children are expected to behave around these living creatures, how the providers care for the animals and the risk assessments they have in place.