Do you leave mindees in the car?

**crazyhazy** · 09-06-2010, 10:14 AM

I'm just wondering, this will never be an issue for me probably, since I live next door to the school and can't drive. But living here I see all the kids being dropped off and picked up and have noticed 2 of the other childminders regularly leave one or two kids in the car while they go in to drop off or pick up. This seems a bit odd to, I could sort of understand if it was pouring with rain but they seem to do it regardless of weather. Yesterday one got out the car with the 2 mindees she drops at preschool and left another about the same age, so about 3/4yr sitting in the car. We have to take them into preschool, change their shoes and then take them to their room so it takes a few mins not just a case of dropping them at the door, just seems odd to me and I wondered what everyone else done.

**wellybelly** · 09-06-2010, 10:17 AM

NEVER NEVER NEVER!

I know someone who got in trouble with ofsted for just that.

**snufflepuff** · 09-06-2010, 10:18 AM

I wouldnt do it, not even with my own son. I can see how it would be easier than getting them all out but its certainly not safe!
The only time it happens is when im putting them in the car- the car is on the driveway and the LOs are in the hallway, and i can obviously only carry one to the car at a time. But i am literally a few metres away. Same when im moving them out of the car and in to the house- i pop one on the floor in the hallway and go back for the next.

~Chelle~ · 09-06-2010, 10:24 AM

I wouldnt leave my own kids in the car, never mind anyone elses!

I would either confront them and tell them that they are not allowed to leave children unattended in the car or if you dont feel that you could approach them then I would report them to Ofsted.

Anything could happen to them, it doesnt bear thinking about

**brightstar** · 09-06-2010, 10:22 AM

I do

but it I arrive at the school 20 minutes before pick up so that I can park right opposite the gates. The only parking at the school is on the opposite side of the road and traffic is really bad at that time of day. I literally get out of the car as the children come out of school and I leave the two babies strapped in the car. I only go as far as the gate across the road so I can see the babies at all times. It is far safer than trying to get across the road with two lo's in my arms and a 4 yr old tagging along with all his bags etc. Mums are aware and are happy too. If I only have 1 baby I get her out. Its all about risk assesment really. I am only about 10 feet away from them at all times. And I have discussed this with my inspector too, and we went into what I would do if I had to go further etc. In that case I would go back for the babies. I have to take the car even though the school is just around the corner because I have another pick up 2 miles away.

~Chelle~ · 09-06-2010, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by CheekyMonkey

I do

but it I arrive at the school 20 minutes before pick up so that I can park right opposite the gates. The only parking at the school is on the opposite side of the road and traffic is really bad at that time of day. I literally get out of the car as the children come out of school and I leave the two babies strapped in the car. I only go as far as the gate across the road so I can see the babies at all times. It is far safer than trying to get across the road with two lo's in my arms and a 4 yr old tagging along with all his bags etc. Mums are aware and are happy too. If I only have 1 baby I get her out. Its all about risk assesment really. I have to take the car even though the school is just around the corner because I have another pick up 2 miles away.

If you get out of the car and get run over, how are people to know that you have children in your car??

I am sorry but I would get them out, put them into a double buggy. You said that you get to the school 20 minutes early so there is no excuse really is there??

You said that it is all about "risk assement" obviously you havent thought about the other risks involved. What if another car crashed into your car?? Doesnt bear thinking about does it?

**rickysmiths** · 09-06-2010, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by ~Chelle~

If you get out of the car and get run over, how are people to know that you have children in your car??

I am sorry but I would get them out, put them into a double buggy. You said that you get to the school 20 minutes early so there is no excuse really is there??

You said that it is all about "risk assement" obviously you havent thought about the other risks involved. What if another car crashed into your car?? Doesnt bear thinking about does it?

I agree with the above. It is an absolute NO NO. It might even invalidate your insurance if something happened and you were over the road.

I go to a Pre-School, in fact I am just about to go. I will park on the road opposite the entrance where I can see the car and with windows left open, hear the los. I never leave them in the car, I always get them out rain, shine or snow and take them with me. Several of us reported a local childminder who left children in the car at school pick up to Ofsted. Ofsted investigated and she doesn't do it any more.

**Ripeberry** · 09-06-2010, 10:39 AM

You should never leave a minded child in a car, even at a petrol forecourt as anyway you should not get petrol whilst minding and should get it the evening before if possible.
One parent at the school leaves her 2yr old in the car for ages (up to half an hour) but always takes her baby out.
The boy in the car gets up to alsorts as although he is strapped in, she gives him food and a can of red bull (no kidding), to keep him quiet and he does so enjoy, pushing bits of food down the window gap in the door and pouring the drink in as well

Well if you don't keep an eye on them, they will get into trouble.
It's in a large car park where everyone is squashed in, so no moving cars to hit, but even so.

**AliceK** · 09-06-2010, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Ripeberry

You should never leave a minded child in a car, even at a petrol forecourt as anyway you should not get petrol whilst minding and should get it the evening before if possible.
One parent at the school leaves her 2yr old in the car for ages (up to half an hour) but always takes her baby out.
The boy in the car gets up to alsorts as although he is strapped in, she gives him food and a can of red bull (no kidding), to keep him quiet and he does so enjoy, pushing bits of food down the window gap in the door and pouring the drink in as well

Well if you don't keep an eye on them, they will get into trouble.
It's in a large car park where everyone is squashed in, so no moving cars to hit, but even so.

This is one of my biggest fears. I have a probably irrational fear of leaving my own children in the car on a garage forecourt so I always go to the drive-thro if I need to get petrol during the week.
Regarding the original posters question I would NEVER NEVER leave ANY child in the car to go anywhere, I just would not take the risk, there's too much that can happen. A few years ago just down the road from me a car caught fire on someones drive. They had arrived at their friends house, gone inside for a minute leaving the kids in the car, the car caught fire.
Like I say my fears are probably irrational but I just wouldn't ever do it.

xxxxx

**brightstar** · 09-06-2010, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by ~Chelle~

If you get out of the car and get run over, how are people to know that you have children in your car??
My car is sign written and I have many friends at the school. I am just as likely to get run over with the lo's in my arms as i am on my own. And I'd rather it was just me injured!

I am sorry but I would get them out, put them into a double buggy. You said that you get to the school 20 minutes early so there is no excuse really is there??

You said that it is all about "risk assement" obviously you havent thought about the other risks involved. What if another car crashed into your car?? Doesnt bear thinking about does it?

There are cars parked in front of and behind mine ( i am never first there), so the risk is low. Unless you know the whole set up its unfair to criticise. I have thought about the risks and discussed them with my CSSIW inspector and the parents. My car is sign written and I have many friends at the school. I am just as likely to get run over with the lo's in my arms as i am on my own. And I'd rather it was just me injured!

**crazyhazy** · 09-06-2010, 10:45 AM

Cheeky monkey, I can see what you're saying and I tend to think since you can see them it's not so bad, obviously you've discussed it with the parents etc. You say you get there 20mins early, is this quite common too? I've noticed this here sometimes and find it odd, do parents not mind there children being in the car for longer than necessary?

Here the childminder in question parks outside my house (which is double yellows but that's another grumble lol), I think I might understand more if it was a baby who was sleeping but the child is at least 3, in a high back booster so not like a lot of trouble to get them out.

~Chelle~ · 09-06-2010, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by CheekyMonkey

There are cars parked in front of and behind mine ( i am never first there), so the risk is low. Unless you know the whole set up its unfair to criticise. I have thought about the risks and discussed them with my CSSIW inspector and the parents. My car is sign written and I have many friends at the school. I am just as likely to get run over with the lo's in my arms as i am on my own. And I'd rather it was just me injured!

Anything can happen, you have NO control over other cars, whether cars are parked in front of you or not. A car can crash in other vehicles which can then, in turn, crash into your car.

My friend had just gotten out of her car in a car park and put her daughter in her buggy. As she was walking away from her car another car crashed into it with such force that her car was sandwiched in between two cars and was written off. She has always said how lucky she feels that they were not in the car at the time as her daughters seat was crushed!

I would love to see you try and explain this to an Ofsted Inspector, they will tell you that there is NO excuse about leaving children in cars unattended!

aly · 09-06-2010, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by CheekyMonkey

There are cars parked in front of and behind mine ( i am never first there), so the risk is low. Unless you know the whole set up its unfair to criticise. I have thought about the risks and discussed them with my CSSIW inspector and the parents. My car is sign written and I have many friends at the school. I am just as likely to get run over with the lo's in my arms as i am on my own. And I'd rather it was just me injured!

This was a big NO-No with my CSSIW inspector...I haven't left mindees in car,I have left my kids if ive gone to pay for petrol.

As others have said there'stoomany risks etc and always being watched and just not worht the risk.

**4365** · 09-06-2010, 12:50 PM

I had a nightmare earlier this year with pre-school collections/drop-offs. The pre-school decided with a little push from OFSTED to not allow the car park to be used as the entrance to the building goes directly into it.

This means parking in a lane (I have to drive as do most others as we come in from various villages) which is so narrow that you have to park close up to hedges and walls so have to get the children out on the "traffic" side in the road. There is not room to open your car door and have another car going by. Then walking about 150m in the road to the car park. Using a pushchair is almost impossible as if a car comes there is no where to go. Still as OFSTED do not allow the children to be left in cars unattended I was doing this twice a day even though I felt sure on my risk assessments this was more dangerous than leaving them. Now, happily, and with much lobbying from parents I am allowed to park on the drive into the car park and a member of staff walks my mindees to the car. The parents still have to struggle along. Since then there has been two near misses and one hit and slightly injured child in a pushchair!

So all in all I suppose we have to do what OFSTED says even when it is not the safest option but this would not have happened without the lack of joined up risk assessing. OFSTED did not (and still will not) allow use of the car park, so pre-school can't to protect there backs and in the end the children are not best served. I nearly stopped going to this pre-school because of the whole situation.

And yes I have contacted OFSTED as have a number of parents after the incidents but they want to keep children safe while in the care of providers even if this leads to them being less safe with carers/parents. Would I have report another childminder for leaving children in the car? I would have to be very sure that there were better options, which I think there would mostly be, but if not and they were doing the best by the children, perhaps having someone stand by the car as one of the nannies did then probably not.

Anni

**Curly Quavers** · 09-06-2010, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by CheekyMonkey

Unless you know the whole set up its unfair to criticise.

If your parents and inspector are happy then you are doing OK.

I think we ALL agree including Cheeky Monkey that it is not acceptable to leave children in a car when they are not in view.

**sweets** · 09-06-2010, 06:30 PM

when i used to do school runs then i did exactly the same as cheeky monkey. would get to school ridiculously early to get a certain space that was on a quiet road right opposite the back school gate. i would stay in the car till the very last min then cross over (small street not main road) and cross the older mindees over.

i could see the car and the children all the time and children were always left strapped in.

i think you could look too much into dangers! yes the car could have set on fire for no apparant reason but its highly unlikely, i have been driving for 24 years and never seen it happen.

i dont do school runs now but i live on a terraced street with no driveway so if i have 2 babies to unload then i take one in at once and leave them in the hall with the door open and the keys on me! while i go back for the other. its prob left no longer than cheeky monkey doing her school run. i will continue to do it as there is no other way!

there is no way i would leave a child in a car for more than a min or so and would never leave if i wasnt in sight of the car all the time. but i do think things have to be put into prospective.

**Curly Quavers** · 09-06-2010, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by CheekyMonkey

I do

but it I arrive at the school 20 minutes before pick up so that I can park right opposite the gates. The only parking at the school is on the opposite side of the road and traffic is really bad at that time of day. I literally get out of the car as the children come out of school and I leave the two babies strapped in the car. I only go as far as the gate across the road so I can see the babies at all times. It is far safer than trying to get across the road with two lo's in my arms and a 4 yr old tagging along with all his bags etc. Mums are aware and are happy too. If I only have 1 baby I get her out. Its all about risk assesment really. I am only about 10 feet away from them at all times. And I have discussed this with my inspector too, and we went into what I would do if I had to go further etc. In that case I would go back for the babies. I have to take the car even though the school is just around the corner because I have another pick up 2 miles away.

I agree with this I don't leave the kids in the car if I am anymore that 3 feet from it. Otherwise everybody comes.

If I see minders leaving children in the car on a regular basis I would perhaps for 1 week make notes and when they leave the kids and for how long for then report them.

**Blaze** · 09-06-2010, 10:54 AM

I wouldn't do it with my own or minded kid's - a locked car with security measures can be broken into, started & driven away in 10-30 seconds depending on which measures /make / model of car & it happens with kids in the back - far more than people realise. If the OP is in England than i would report to OFSTED. As far as anywhere else goes I am unsure of the rules - but as I said if it were me (regardless of the conuntry I lived I wouldn't for reasons previously stated).

**littlesprogs** · 09-06-2010, 11:00 AM

A while ago i read a story in a newspaper about a woman who left her baby in the car whilst she went to collect her daughter from the school.

She said she was only gone 5 minutes but when she returned her car was gone and obviously so was the baby.

The car was later found with the baby dead inside it was a roasting hot day and all the windows were shut when they found the car.

I would never leave a child in a car by themselves. Even when i get petrol if i cant pay at the pump i take my son out and take him with me to pay.

**margaret** · 09-06-2010, 11:11 AM

a big no no ,i wouldnt leave my dog in the car never mind a child regardless of whether you can get permission from parent,if you cant manage getting out of car in all weathers you shouldnt be looking after so many children or walking,this is something i have and would again report a childminder to ofsted and police for ,its a huge safety issue,i wouldnt like being locked in car and left.