A lady came to visit with her baby. She had been back at work a few months and was concerned about her childminder, and looking to find a replacement. I felt we got on well and I really empathised with her, and felt it was completely understandable that in the end she decided to choose a nanny share instead of another childminder.
She told me her childminder helped run a playgroup whilst minding three under 5s, and that her baby had escaped crawling out the door and been rescued as the childminder was busy doing other things. She had been told about this by a friend who witnessed it. When she asked the childminder if it was true, the childminder had got angry and defensive. The childminder then became unhappy as the mum wanted to reduce her hours at work. The mum felt their relationship had broken down. On the day she came to me the baby had three large scratches on his face which she said the childminder just said she didn't know how they happened.
I had my suspicions who the childminder was - someone I know by sight only. Our paths never cross usually. Anyhow today she appeared at a playgroup I frequent along with another lady who to my surprise was looking after this baby and another child. They then proceeded to have a moan about his mum for at least half an hour - generally bad- mouthing her and putting her down. It seemed they were friends and that the childminder was very bitter about this woman.
Anyhow I feel bad that she may not know her new nanny is friends with her old childminder. And that although the baby was not neglected these childcarers both seemed to have an attitude that they knew best and that parents are too fussy and safety concerned. I know it is none of my business but I feel quite angry at their attitude and the fact that they give other childminders a bad name. I have had some parents who are as right pain but I don't share it out loud in a public place.
Also is it OK to help run a playgroup whilst minding?