Feel trouble coming on

Counting_Pennies_2

I can see that you are concerned your peace in your garden will be shattered during the times the children will be there. A lot of children do have a tendancy to become noisy. I have two of my own, but other peoples children can annoy the life out of me. My old house had a bored child who would pelt things into our garden and hang off the fence watching us all the time we were in the garden.

However, as you say you are out during the majority of this time.

Instead I would look on the upsides. The noise will happen while you are out. There are only two children during the time you are there, and they have always been there, so unlikely to cause you any more bother than before.

As she works from home, you are likely to have an eager eye watching out for your property when you are out, so added security.

Cars coming and going will be swift. They are unlikely to park for long, they will be wanting to drop their kids off or collect them quickly. So be mindful it will just be brief.

If you have got on ok before there is no reason not to in the future

ukjoel

There's loads you can do.

2 registered helpers - this means she is running a business.
This is a bigger business than just taking on 4 kids a day or whatever the maximum legal numbers are.

Chase the council, landlords, and everyone else yourself.
Ask them where the cars used to drop these kids off will be parked (without blocking the cul de sac).

Ask the landlords for a larger fence (say you are considering opening a dog care centre for retired pit bulls who can jump a 3 ft fence. Ask them if there insurance covers damage to your garden or flowerbeds from damage caused in the course of a business?

Where will her two employees park?

A lot of landlords still say NO to children or dogs so opening a childcare centre will be interesting.

Personally wouldn't worry me (and we have one across the road but if you want to slow it down there is loads you can do.

Spendless

I wouldn't like a 3ft 6 fence separating my back garden from my neighbours full stop, nothing to do with childminding -which I personally wouldn't find an issue unless parking became a problem. Since you are all private rented, if it does become a problem, then you must be in a better position to move than others who own or don't want to give up an assured tenancy?

swingaloo

WOW, wasn't expecting that really. Im certainly no snob!
Im thinking in terms of sitting in the garden with a book during the nice days and having 8+ children screaming and shouting less than 3 yards away with nothing but a 3foot picket fence for privacy.

As for being out most of the time, I don't agree with OH. I work shifts and my days off and hours of work differ every week.

koalamummy

Just because her business is based there does not mean that the children and staff will be there all of the time especially during holidays. Many childminders take their charges out for activities in the summer often with other local childminders and their charges. Indeed if your area is well provided for in terms of leisure facilities then you may find that they are out more often than they are in.

Desperado99

I'm surprised she doesnt need a more private garden (ie: a higher fence) for security for the children. I would actually be asking her and her landlord (as they've approved it) for a taller fence to give you a little more privacy. Have you mentioned it to your landlord?

It wouldn't impress me, but then I'm home in the daytime.

Brighton_belle

Swigaloo - I was very supprised by suggestions of snobbery - couldn't fathom that at all? What's 'snobbish' about anxiety over excessive noise?
Seems legit to me to be concerned about future noise. My home is my peaceful sanctuary so the idea of 8 little children next door outside in the garden would have me worried, even if in time those worries proved foundless.

SavingPennies_2

I don't think your post sounds snobby at all, your concerns sound perfectly valid and I'm sure some of the posters on here would feel differently if it was their neighbour. I would not be happy at all.

meritaten

Sorry, but if she has two registered helpers then it isn't a childminders - its a nursery.
Is the council really aware of all the facts? she may have not mentioned a couple of things (helpers) and exactly how many children she is taking on - cos those kids she takes and drops off at school will probably be there all day during school holidays. it sounds to me very unlikely she has been given permission for all this!
you also haven't been given chance to register your concerns about this - all those children being dropped off/picked up in a cul de sac CAN cause major problems (talking from experience here). not just from the noise - but parents parking and blocking access/egress from your property.
I would ring the person who licences childminders (the council switchboard will know and put you through) and ASK!
I would be concerned too. this many children in one house is far too many even with additional helpers.

angelsmomma

How big is the house. I would be very surprised if Ofsted passed her for so many children as they need to have a certain amount of square footage per child. I also had to have a seperate area for my dog and an enclosed area at the back for outdoor use.