Childminder and smoking, should I be worried?

[mackchar]

DD (20 months) often comes home from the childminders smelling of cigarette smoke. We've questioned this and cm has confirmed that some members of her family do smoke but never in the house or while the kids are there. Can this be true? Even if it is, I'm alarmed that enough residue is getting on DD's hair and clothes that they smell. How dangerous is third hand smoke and would you pull your child out of this setting? Really worried she's being exposed to harmful chemicals that could have long term health implications. Or am I over reacting?

Not acceptable. Find a new child minder.

I wouldn't be happy with this. At very least it means your DD is having very close physical contact with another member of the Childminders family and I'm not sure I'd be happy with that.

I'd start looking for alternative provision.

I wouldn't be happy with this. I would look for alternative childcare.

My child wouldn't be going there.

I’d pull my child out immediately, sorry.

If they come home smelling of it you're not getting the whole truth. Personally I'd have my child out of there sharpish as I don't like people who are economical with the truth, and I detest smoking and the risks that go with it.
Developing lungs don't need that. In

Absolutely get her out if there. That is unacceptable.my sister is a smoker and has my son overnight sometimes when I am working. He never smells of smoke

If they come home smelling of it you're not getting the whole truth

This.

No, if it's a non smoking house (inside) AND smokers don't smoke when she's there - she'd not be coming home smelling of smoke.

It's rank, I'd pull her out and report the CM to whoever you report them to (Ofsted/Estyn).

Thanks everyone, I will start looking for alternatives, although I'm now lying awake with anxiety thinking about how much harm I've exposed her to. She's been going to this cm for a few months. I feel like such a bad parent for not taking this seriously!

Childminders are not allowed to have smoking on the premises

Don't castigate yourself, hindsight is all well and good, just act now and her health risk increase is miniscule. In life we are exposed to many pollutants which are bad for us. Some we can't avoid and just have to live with like air pollution from traffic fumes etc. Some we have a choice about like cigarette smoke. At least with this one you get to make the choice.

I would also find a new childminder and I would probably have a word with the current CM to let her know you suspect some family members have been smoking in the house or near the children because you child is coming home smelling of it.

i wouldn’t be happy with this at all!!

yes, childminders are allowed to smoke in their own time, as is their family. But NEVER when they have minded children in their setting, nor should their family members. This is against the rules of Ofsted and any Ofsted inspector will have made this clear to the childminder.
Under no circumstances is this allowed or should be tolerated.

I’d pull my child out immediately.

sorry you are in this situation OP!

Childminder here. Exposing minded children to smoke is entirely unacceptable. The fact you can smell it on your child suggests they are in close, prolonged proximity. Does your childminder have a 'smoking' policy?

baby will be fine but I would look for a new childminder or nursery

Absolutely not.