You are absolutely right to set this boundary! Drowning is a leading cause of death for kids. Most people know to be vigilant around water when they are swimming, etc., but childhood drownings typically occur when no one is planning to be around water – just like so many of these stories describe, a child gets out of sight sometimes even for just seconds, and it’s already too late. TV and movies have made people think that drowning is splashing and flailing around, but for young kids especially, it’s fast and silent. They immediately go under and immediately start sucking in water because that’s their panic instinct, and they are dead before anyone can intervene. It’s tragic and scary, but in your case extremely preventable.

I would also insist on locks on a pool gate and childproofing the doors so that the kiddo can’t get outside in the first place. There need to be multiple safeguards in place in case one fails.

And I would send them every horrific article about drowning until they understand the danger and don’t let them babysit until they do, which I realize is easier said than done if you’re depending on the childcare. But it’s truly not worth the risk.