The Search Continues.

I've had quite a lazy day today and just pottered around the house, still fighting with the washing! I'm down to 2 loads left now so will soon be back on top of it again. Daughter cooked some fresh pasta ravioli which was very nice. She went to see another childminder this afternoon who I don't think she was impressed with, as the lady only had one baby there who she left alone while she showed daughter the garden!

This evening I went with her to see another childminder who collects children from their home as she lives in quite a rural location. The lady was lovely and the house was huge and very clean and tidy with lots of toys. The price was very cheap too. However, the childminder didn't have any stair gates just a low piece of board across the bottom of the staircase. Ava was straight over that no problem! The home had glass doors, a large glass vase of flowers in a low grate, no stair gates anywhere, a terraced garden with stone built raised flower beds, 2 dogs in a cage in the hallway, no door jams on any of the doors, and the childminder has the toddlers in the kitchen when she cooks! Although this was a lovely home with lots of space I would be very worried if my child went there as I see it as very unsafe for toddlers!  Also I have a niece who (years ago) was badly scalded with a cup of tea, needing skin grafts to her arm and chest so perhaps I am a bit overcautious idk. I don't think daughter will be using this childminder for the same reasons as she is very safety conscious  with Ava. To be honest Ava is very active and quite clever so would need good safety strategies in place and good supervision. A quieter child would perhaps be OK. I think she is seeing a few more tomorrow.

I must admit I was quite surprised at the lack of care at the above childminder's home. I can not understand why she is not at least putting stair gates up or door jams on the doors, and film over the glass door panes.  And as they are regulated by Ofsted why are they not picking up on this? Maybe the children are not as free as they seem to run from room to room and doors are closed when she is working.

All the best x