Feel trouble coming on

Goldiegirl

Why not wait and see what happens when she starts the childminding - it may not be as instrusive as you fear.

However, if it does turn out to be intrusive, raise your concerns with her then.

fluffnutter

I'd probably struggle with this too. As much as I love kids, I think I love peace and quiet more

You say she's had these plans approved by the council and landlord. Could you get in touch with both and ask whether impact on the neighbours was considered?

claire16c

meritaten wrote: »

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.

Child minders can have assistant child minders so I suspect thats what these helpers are.

If Ofsted/council have approved it I dont think you should get in a panic until it starts and see if it really does cause any problems as it may not at all. And you might not be able to do much anyway.

However - cant you just ask your landlord to put up a proper fence in your back garden? Why is it so short?

Dreaming_always

I don't think childminding is just completely letting them scream and run around in the garden 24/7. Most childminders have procedures in place so that it's a learning environment, they will most likely be out doing things, park soft play, painting.

If I was you I would just see how it goes and then if you do run into any problems just have a quiet word

Errata

OP - you're not a snob, and it all sounds most peculiar. Do speak to the council, what you've been told or heard today may not be accurate.

Mrs_Imp

A house on my road did something similar a few years ago. They didn't even warn the neighbours what they were going to do. It's caused quite a bit of bad feeling. In summer the children can be very noisy in the garden. Some of the parents are rubbish at parking, so I've been blocked in several times (one woman parked about an inch from my bumper and didn't say a word to me even though I was in my car at the time!), and the pavement is regularly obstructed so I can't get past with my pram. I've spoken to the lady who runs the childcare about it. She was lovely and said that she'd remind parents to park considerately. Even so, there is somewhat of an awkward atmosphere around. So I can understand your concerns OP. I sincerely hope that they are unfounded. Maybe you could ask them to pay for a new, more private, fence to be put up.

swingaloo

I don't think Im being snobby nor do I think Im over reacting now Ive thought a bit more.

Im not some anti child type, quite the opposite. Even though mine are adults her 2 children (2 and 8) are often at my house. I babysit and help the eldest with her homework. I love kids.

however the thought of there being a garden full through summer is daunting. Our houses are a semi and our back doors 8 foot apart. They are such tiny gardens and there is no privacy at all but that's not been a problem.
She has said that she will be able to have up to 12 children if some of them are after school care only. Shes talking 6.30am to 7pm.

Plus there is the noise to consider when they are inside, they are newish houses but not particularly well soundproofed. We can hear when her little one is crying. They only have 2 downstairs rooms (a lounge and a kitchen) so there will be up to 8 toddlers in a room 16foot by 13foot.

I don't want to pour cold water on her plans as she is so exited. Guess I will have to grin and bear it!

marisco_2

swingaloo wrote: »

Other half thinks Im being a bit off as 'we will be at work a lot of the time' but I see problems.

I can understand you having reservations about this. However I think your OH makes a good point. From the worries you raised through your post, I got the impression you were retired and would be at home all day. If you are out to work most of the time then you wont be disturbed that much. Weekends will still be free to relax in your garden.

See how things go for a bit. If the early morning drop offs disturb you, then raise this with your neighbour and ask that the parents and children are quiet and respectful to sleeping neighbours. I am sure she would want to work with you rather than against you whilst running a business from home.

As a childminder your neighbour shouldn't leave the children to be over noisy and left to run wild in the garden. Their play should be structured so they are learning from it.

fluffnutter

I know that I used to find it quite exhausting when my neighbour looked after her three little nephews, making four little boys when you add her own in. They'd continually have their noses pressed up against my sitting room window screaming 'BALL!' at me (so that I'd go and retrieve their football from my garden). Plus I live in a terrace and four small boys running around is VERY noisy.

It got easier as I got to know them because the more you like people the less their noise bothers you. This would usually be my advice about neighbour noise - get to know (and hopefully like) your neighbours and it will be far less of a problem.

However, this isn't simply a case of whomever you live next door to; this is someone's business and it's unrealistic to expect you'd be able to develop a friendly relationship with all these kids. Time to find out what considerations have been given to everyone else living in the road, I think. And if none's been given, why not?

asharon

Get a camera and take pictures of everything you see. Any time they make a noise in the garden take a snap and make lots of notes.

You could even try scaring them into being quiet by wearing a mac with a hood whilst you do it.

Or hope that it wont be as bad as you fear and just see how it goes. Besides they are likely to be quieter than if they lived next door.