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hollyberry
15-03-2011, 05:24 PM
Sorry, wasn't really sure if this was the right place for this post but since it's to do with under 5s I thought I'd try here! I am looking at, hopefully, having 3 under 5s for full days as my core 'customers'. to this end I've been looking at what vehicles will suit. My premise is that I will need 3 high back booster seats for these children - I'm right about that aren't I?

Then the question is, which vehicle will accommodate that. My other half tells me there's only one vehicle (which is like a minibus really) that will actually provide three seats with enough width to accommodate them next to each other, and three proper cross-chest seat belts (not a lap belt in the middle).

I was looking at the Multipla thinking great, I can see that the middle rear seat can be pulled way forward so I think good stuff, three high back boosters will indeed fit. But then my other half tells me the middle seat is still a lap belt and that there is no way a high back booster will go in without wobbling around like mad. This car also has three seats at the front so I can pick up my daughter from school as well, plus a friend if she wants a sleepover.

so then I thought ok, let's just go for a 7 seater and was looking at maybe a Land Rover Discovery. But we seem to come back to the same issues - three of these seats won't fit side by side and the middle seat only has a lap belt.

Does anyone else have three under 5s who all require high back booster seats, what vehicles are you using, and if you do have a lap belt in your middle rear seat, does the seat actually fit securely?

Has anyone had their middle rear seat lap belt altered by a professional company, to a over the shoulder arrangement (is this even possible???!).

I'm getting dead confused and don't know which car to look at at all now!! :eek: :eek:

Susana0600
15-03-2011, 05:35 PM
When I was doing the ChiP course, I have been told that the chairs has to be fitted by specialist, like they do in Mamas and Papas and you will get certification for that, but I am not sure about boosters :( somedoy else soon will post something for you :)

snufflepuff
15-03-2011, 05:35 PM
Whatever you do, don't go out and buy a new car and three car seats! Until you actually have some mindees you don't know what you need. It will take time to get mindees- and full timers are very rare in many areas so to get three full time under 5's from the word go is probably almost unheard of.

There are lots of cars that can accommodate three car seats- some people carriers and some ordinary cars. I have a peugeot 807 so could potentially fit 5 full sized car seats in....but I currently only have one mindee so could manage with a tiny car (see, i'm proof that you shouldn't go out and buy a bigger car!)

MaffAnna
15-03-2011, 05:44 PM
Hi!

I agree with snufflepuff, don't buy it until you actually need it.

That said I have a zafira, which fits 3 car seats across the back (2x 9-18kg, and a high backed booster), and potentially two more in the rear seats.

Also I hve heard that the graco boosters are the narrowest on the market, but I can't remember where! So, check that before you take my word for it.
Good luck, whatever you decide.

jumpinjen
15-03-2011, 05:44 PM
high back boosters to me are those which are put into the car, the child sits in and then an adult strap is used to strap the child in. There are guidelines/restrictions as to ages/heights and weights for each seat so these need to be checked before you decide on what seat to use. Below suitability for these, they need to be the seats with a five point harness and strapped in by an adult belt. I believe you can get one type that has a fitting to secure it with a lap belt, and there are 'high back booster' types that are fitted with an adult belt and then have a five point harness for the child. So much variety and I have always fitted my own and followed manufacturers guidelines. Some are bulkier than others. I have had a ford mondeo until a couple of weeks ago and fitted three accross the back of that, one high back booster and two stage 2 carseats, they were wedged, but in..... like someone said, wait and see before you buy.... if you buy a 7-seater then you can spread them out in it, and put schoolies on boosters inbetween the bigger seats. jen x

Chatterbox Childcare
15-03-2011, 05:44 PM
Why not use the 2 seats from the back and 1 in the front?

mama2three
15-03-2011, 05:49 PM
i have 3 in my renault scenic , but I agree unless you are about to change the car anyway dont do it just to accomodate seats. I must admit i like the multipla though , its a bit quirky.

Sarahbelle
15-03-2011, 05:59 PM
Sorry, wasn't really sure if this was the right place for this post but since it's to do with under 5s I thought I'd try here! I am looking at, hopefully, having 3 under 5s for full days as my core 'customers'. to this end I've been looking at what vehicles will suit. My premise is that I will need 3 high back booster seats for these children - I'm right about that aren't I?

Then the question is, which vehicle will accommodate that. My other half tells me there's only one vehicle (which is like a minibus really) that will actually provide three seats with enough width to accommodate them next to each other, and three proper cross-chest seat belts (not a lap belt in the middle).

I was looking at the Multipla thinking great, I can see that the middle rear seat can be pulled way forward so I think good stuff, three high back boosters will indeed fit. But then my other half tells me the middle seat is still a lap belt and that there is no way a high back booster will go in without wobbling around like mad. This car also has three seats at the front so I can pick up my daughter from school as well, plus a friend if she wants a sleepover.

so then I thought ok, let's just go for a 7 seater and was looking at maybe a Land Rover Discovery. But we seem to come back to the same issues - three of these seats won't fit side by side and the middle seat only has a lap belt.

Does anyone else have three under 5s who all require high back booster seats, what vehicles are you using, and if you do have a lap belt in your middle rear seat, does the seat actually fit securely?

Has anyone had their middle rear seat lap belt altered by a professional company, to a over the shoulder arrangement (is this even possible???!).

I'm getting dead confused and don't know which car to look at at all now!! :eek: :eek:

I have a multipla and it is great - 6 seats all adult size, loads of storage and all seat belts are 3 point. No lap belts at all. Oh and you can turn the airbag off as well if you have children in the front.:thumbsup:

Monkey26
15-03-2011, 06:14 PM
Renault megan grand scenic:

+ air bag in front turns off
+ isofix points in front passenger seat and two door seats in middle row
+ 2 seats in boot that fold down into the boot when not in use
+ all seat belts are 3 point
+ high back boosters (skinny fit) with or without harness sit comfortably on seats in boot
+ can fit 3 britax forward facing (5 point harness) seats in the middle row
+ lots of underfloor storage for childminder bits and pieces, sun blinds, wipes, travel potties etc!
+ each seat in the middle row moves forwards and backwards individually, they also recline slightly so if an older child falls asleep they can also be reclined
+ whole middle row is removable, great if moving house or going to ikea HAHA!

- seats in boot are not really suitable for adults as lack of leg room
- with all 7 seats up the boot space shrinks considerably (but i have side maclaren side by side double buggy in there before)
- middle row, middle seat - the belt comes from the roof in the boot so have to 'train' children not to fiddle with it/pull it!

I love mine, and its a popular car down here in Devon - i know at least 4 other minders in our town with one, luckily we all have different colours haha! HTH xx

Jacko81
15-03-2011, 06:22 PM
I have a Toyota Corrola Verson, 7 seats. I can fit 3 car seats, all groups, along the back row. each seat is an individual seat that all have proper seat belts and each seat moves forwards and back individually. 2 seats in the boot which are easy to use and are spacious. Excellent car, defo reccomend it!!! We looked at loads of acrs before getting ours as i didnt want a 'bus' looky like and this just looks like a chunky car. i love it xxx

hollyberry
15-03-2011, 06:24 PM
Honest - all three year seats have a full cross-chest seat belt? You see, I thought they did. Why I listen to my other half I just don't know!!!!!

Jacko81
15-03-2011, 06:26 PM
yes every seat in my car including 2 seats in the boot have proper full size seat belts :)

hollyberry
15-03-2011, 06:27 PM
Is that a "Verso" that you mean? Couldn't see a Verson when I looked it up - but that could just be me!!

helengreen13
15-03-2011, 06:33 PM
I have a Peugeot 307 and have three high backed booster seats across the back of the car which fit nicely (had them fitted by Kiddicare). I then have two additional seats in the boot which I have fitted with 123 car seats (9months to 11 years so can accommodate all the children I mind). I find the car fanstatic and only complain is when I use all the additional seats in the boot not very much room.


Helen x

rickysmiths
15-03-2011, 06:34 PM
I have had Skoda Octavias for the last 10yrs. I have 2 Britax 0-4yr seats and a Narnia High back booster with a full harness in the middle (you can use the car seat for older children.) across the back all the seat belts are full seat belts not lap belts. I also have a seat in the front, the air bag turns off with a key in the front glove pocket. There are also Isofix points if you want to use them.

I pay £90 car tax now, I have the diesel model, I had one petrol one and when I changed it I went straight back to diesel!! I get 45-50mpg around town and 55-60 on a long motorway run. Insurance is reasonable and they are quite cheap to buy as well! The boot is so big that I can get my double McClaren, single, assort bags and a weeks shopping in easily. When we first went to buy a car we wanted an Estate and when we saw the boot of the 5 door we didn't bother with the Estate.

The other thing is that when we go out as a family there are 4 of us, all adult, my children are 18 and 16 and taller than me, it is comfortable without travelling in a large people carrier that we don't need.

Can't speak highly enough about them.

Rjowens101
15-03-2011, 06:36 PM
If you are looking for a new car anyway then yes a bigger car maybe better work wise. I have a galaxy which i love. It was cheap enough and parts are un expensive too. I have 2 x highback boosters in back, 2 x stage 1 seats in middle plus a booster for middle middle seat (as the kids put it) and another booster in front. I use all mine nearly all the time and if i had a minibus I'd make use of that for more after schools which I've had to offload to clubs ;)
Don't buy seats untill you need them, you may need stage 0, 1 or 2 for under 0 - 5's If I need to buy a new seat for a new mindee I usually ask the parent to surply the money as a deposit before the child starts.
Goodluck

tulip0803
15-03-2011, 07:35 PM
I have a Galaxy which is great as it has individual seats rather than bench. The newer ones have 3 3 point belts. Mine has the lapbelt in the middle but the Britax Prince 9m-4y can be fixed with the lap and does not shift at all when pulled hard. I can fit 3 9m-4y seats in my car with room to get my hands on the buckles.

I would say that high backed boosters are not always the best thing for childminders. As a parent I would not be happy with my 1 year old child being in a high backed booster particularly if it was the type with just the 3 point belt accross the chest. My own DD was in a high back with 5 point harness until she was 4. She is 7 now and still in high backed booster although she would desperately like to be in just a booster. I want all the children in my care to be as safe as possible. I would never put a child under 3/4 in a high back with just the 3 point across I always use a 5 point harness as it is safer for them. Depending on the size of the child I leave them in the 9m-4y as long as possible.

Mrs Book
15-03-2011, 08:59 PM
Renault megan grand scenic:

+ air bag in front turns off
+ isofix points in front passenger seat and two door seats in middle row
+ 2 seats in boot that fold down into the boot when not in use
+ all seat belts are 3 point
+ high back boosters (skinny fit) with or without harness sit comfortably on seats in boot
+ can fit 3 britax forward facing (5 point harness) seats in the middle row
+ lots of underfloor storage for childminder bits and pieces, sun blinds, wipes, travel potties etc!
+ each seat in the middle row moves forwards and backwards individually, they also recline slightly so if an older child falls asleep they can also be reclined
+ whole middle row is removable, great if moving house or going to ikea HAHA!

- seats in boot are not really suitable for adults as lack of leg room
- with all 7 seats up the boot space shrinks considerably (but i have side maclaren side by side double buggy in there before)
- middle row, middle seat - the belt comes from the roof in the boot so have to 'train' children not to fiddle with it/pull it!

I love mine, and its a popular car down here in Devon - i know at least 4 other minders in our town with one, luckily we all have different colours haha! HTH xx


I've just had one of these cars lol. I've taken the middle seat out so that kids can climb in the boot without have to pullseats forward. Also like fact that I can reach seatbelts in back from the boot. At the moment I have one high back seat and the rest are booster seats and they all seem to be ok, but think I may need to get them checked proberly. Only problem is the seats may be ok, but will be told I need new seats when I don't lol lol.

Didn't know that seats recline, but might not on mine, I have dimoneque model.

Jacko81
16-03-2011, 07:07 AM
Is that a "Verso" that you mean? Couldn't see a Verson when I looked it up - but that could just be me!!

Ha! yes a verso. My typing skills are crap haha

Helen79
16-03-2011, 08:32 AM
I've got a citroen xsara picasso and can fit 3 booster seats across the back with full seat belts. I have to have a car seat in the front sometimes aswell.
I use the britax evolva seats that have 5 point harnesses which can be taken off to be used as a booster seat so they can be used for 9months - 12 years.

candy cat
16-03-2011, 09:46 AM
I have a smax with 3 britax big carseats .....i do slightly stagger one in middle.

hollyberry
16-03-2011, 09:54 AM
That's been really useful information.

I guess that I will be best to go for a seven seater as I am going to need to have several after schools if I can get them as a lot of people are telling me it will take ages and ages to get three full time under 5s - so i'll need that carrying capacity.

Then, should I end up with three younger ones who need all to be in high back booster seats I can have 2 in the back seats, one in the passenger seat up front (with the airbag turned off) and any older kids in the middle rear seat or in seats 6 and 7 right in back.

AnnieM
16-03-2011, 10:32 AM
Please be aware that the high backed booster seats are only meant for children over the age of 4 years or 15kgs, if you are intending using them with children under this age, which I assume you are, make sure you get the ones with the 5 point harness which will take children from 9 months or 9kgs. :thumbsup:

I have a galaxy and use a silver cross rearward facing in the middle row for my grandson, I have also had a maxi cosi priori xp in the middle and a nania booster with harness which can be removed if needed. I also have two more graco high backed boosters and 2 normal booster cushions so can pretty much accomodate any age range of children. I have purchased these over the years though as and when needed, don't buy them until you need to use them as they take up a lot of storage space when not being used. :panic: I try not to use the front seat as my airbag cannot be turned off, but if I do have to use it, I always sit the biggest child there on a booster and push the seat back as far as I can. :thumbsup:

MaryMary
16-03-2011, 10:39 AM
How old are the cars you have been looking at? I thought (could be wrong though) that they don't make cars with lap belts anymore, and haven't done for a number of years.

I would recommend buying seats as & when you need them. I have a variety ranging from a rear facing seat to boosters, and choose which seats to use depending on which children I am carrying.

I have a Grand Scenic and I love its versatility :D It is even fitted with an extra mirror that I can check on kids in the middle row! :thumbsup:

Jacko81
16-03-2011, 12:44 PM
Yes DEFO WAIT until you really need it. I became registered at end sept 10 and only from Aprill 11 will i have 3 every day. I have had 2 school aged children from when i registered.
I managed really well in my 3 door seat ibiza :laughing: (nightmare looking back now like) but i am so pleased i didnt but my Verso too soon.
Good luck and let me know how things go
J xxx:thumbsup: