Childminding and pets

[tabby]

Hi I'm new here , though I have been reading posts for a while. I've got my first pre registration course thing at the end of this month, very excited!

But on the orders of my fiance I wanted to ask how many people here have pets and how this affects your childminding? Do any of the parents get put off by having dogs or cats?

I currently have three kittens, and when we move into our new bigger house in February I will be adding a labrador puppy to my collection aswell as a few guinea pig especially for the mindees.

I don't have any children of my own at the moment, so I just wanted to hear from other childminders with pets .

Thanks in advance

Tabby

[vik3000]

I have dogs and I think they provide a valuable learning for children.

I demonstrated sufficiently to OFSTED that I keep the dogs under control and that children are never left alone with them, food and pet related bits are stored safety, hygiene issues (washing hands, cleaning up mess etc), children can't access the water bowls (drowing issues and hygiene) and all the bumpf....

Within my policies I state that I have dogs and that children are taught to respect the animals and care for their welfare. I reassure parents that children are never left alone (although my dogs are 100% child friendly it is a risk I would NEVER take), children and parents are introduced to the mutts. etc etc.

We have loads of fun walking the dogs (not sure who gets more tired out - me, the dogs chasing the ball or the kids chasing the dog chasing the ball lol), the children love petting the animals and taking care of them too.

Can't see a problem so long as you are aware of the issues surrounding them and can show that you behave as such.

[lisaurry]

Hi Tabby,

Same as Vik3000 really - make sure you have all policies / procedures in place.

I have not had any problems with parents coming to visit the first time, and having a dog in the house. One parent did say that her daughter was frightened of dogs - but I turned this into a positive aspect, by telling her it would help get her daughter over that fear, as our dog very gentle and that its not good for children to be frightened of pets - she did agree!

Children learn so much I think from pets - getting involved in their care and enjoying them.

Good luck!
Lisa x

[miffy]

Hi tabby and welcome to the forum

You've already got some great advice about pets

I love labradors so please post a photo of your puppy when you get him/her

Miffy

[banana]

Hi Tabby.

I have a cat and as long as you show Ofsted how you plan to take care of them and keep the children safe from any disease/infection/fleas then generally its not a problem.

I suppose as long as you have the room for all those animals and the children then there is no issue.

Parents like the fact that I have a pet and all of my mindees love our cat, especially the 1 year olds I look after, the cant get enough of him! I've only had one problem with the cat and that was having a parent some to visit who was allergic.... so obviously not an ideal environment for her.

x

[tabby]

Hi thanks to everyone who replied, and Miffy of course I'll post a pic when I get her x

[emler]

Hi Tabby

I have a cat too and the kids absolutely love her! As everyone has already said, as long as you have your policies and procedures in place there shouldn't be any problem

Emler x

[angeldelight]

Hi Tabby

Welcome to the forum

Good luck with your pre reg

I have a labrador and she is great with the kids

There are a few old posts here if you want to read them the same rules apply for a dog or a cat

I have a policy for my pets and a permission form from parents saying that children can help with feeding etc under supervision

childminding.proboards102.com/index.cgi?board=starting&action=display&thread=1184874236

childminding.proboards102.com/index.cgi?board=allcmchat&action=display&thread=1181717473

If you read through those you will get the general idea

Let us know how your pre reg goes

Angel xx

[kelly76x]

i dont have any pets myself but i shouldent see it being a prob like the others have said have policies ect. all i would say i before i became a childminder i used one and she had a dog and 2 cats the dog wasent a problem at all and the kids loved him but the cats drove me mad as she kept my pram in the kitchen i was fed up with it comng home covered in cat hairs my older children said she let the cats sleep in it i had to have a quiet word with her which i hated doing as she was a m8, also my son got scratched by one not badly but her words were i told him not to touch him ... he wont do it again hence i have become a childminder myself and looking after my own children.

[tabby]

thanks very much, I have already started my policies ( I'm raring to go lol) and I included a pet policy, but I'll do some permission slips to like angel said on another post. Thanks very much. It's even persauded my fiance to let me have a puppy!
Obviously I was going to get one anyway... he just didnt know that!
x

[teacake2]

Hi, one thing I do is, when prospective parents telephone me I tell them at the initial contact that I have cats and gerbils as pets and they can decide if they still wish to visit. I find it helps wasting theirs and my time, if they have an issue with it.

Hope that helps as well as all the usual very good advice given by the other members

Teacake2