dog?

[clairesy1]

Hi i am thinking about becoming a childminder but not sure where i stand as i have a dog. I know you can mind with a dog and i am confident with him being with children as he has grown up with my daughter who is now 2 and he is a big softy where children are concerned, but he gets very excited an d lively when around other adults. does anyone know of any rules about this and anyone got any experience of minding with a dog, how do parents feel etc. Also worried what would happen during ofsted inspection incase he goes nutty when inspector visits. any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

[Pauline]

Hi and welcome to the forum

I've heard that parents have mixed reactions to minders with dogs, some are very keen for their children to get to know dogs and get used to them but I've also heard some minders say that once a parent hears they have a dog they don't hear from them again.

You must have up to date vaccination records to show Ofsted and also keep worming and flea treatment records. Just simple notes of when they were last treated would do.

Would it be possible to keep him in another room when Ofsted came to visit so that he didn't immediately jump up them? They might be worried that he would do this to new children and parents, so by showing that you have thought ahead and planned for his excitement would look good for Ofsted.

Hopefully someone who actually owns a dog and has had Ofsted inspections will be along soon to help you more - I'm a cat person, but really it's very much the same, I keep him away from the children as I don't trust him not to scratch if they are rough with him. One good thing with a cat is that you can lock the cat flap and only let them in when you are able to watch where they are going. Not so easy with a dog I suppose.

Hope that helps a little.

[shirlwith3]

I have a friend who is a childminder she has 2 big dogs, she is minding 2yr old twins the dogs are ok with children but she has found that the twins are rough with the dogs so she puts the dogs upstairs, they can sit on the stairs and watch but can't get battered the the children.
Shirl

[angeldelight]

Hello and welcome

I have been a childminder for years and had a great many children and I have almost nearly always had a dog

I have a black lab now and she is about 3 years old, still very very playful and very very soft and docile

I am scared of dogs myself so I always try to put myself in some one else's shoes , so I always lock the dog away on parents first visit. I explain that I have a dog and that she gets to playful with new people

When a child starts with me I always introduce them a little at a time

During my childminding hours my dog is kept away from the children at all times and never ever left alone with the children despite her being soft.

When we are in the garden the dog does come out with us but always goes and lies well away from the children
Children like to chase dogs and when they are very young can torment them so it is always best to have eyes in the back of your head

Make sure you never allow your dog to use your garden for the toilet and make sure that feeding dishes are kept out of the way of the children

I have never had any problems with parents in the past I have had one parent who was weary because they were scared of dogs and now their child actually adores my dog so the parent thinks it was a great thing for her so she is not scared like "mom"

When ofsted come out to inspect let them know you have it all under control ( rather than them tell you what to do etc ) and you will be fine

Hope this helps

Angel
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