AIBU to think that childminder is being unreasonable/to report to ofsted?

[notenoughbottle]

My childminder gave me 4 weeks notice just before Christmas for my children - the reason being that they have had a better offer. Are they being unreasonable/are they allowed to do this? I know this is a bit of a childcare issue and I'm posting in AIBU but need the traffic for this as its really left me in the lurch as originally they were the last option anyway as childcare locally is very limited. I may now have to give up my reason for needing the childcare. I was going to have words with them after xmas anyway as there are a few things we were not happy with. The main thing being the two dogs they have jumping up in my toddlers face/biting us when we collect the children. There seems to be no control over the animals and the husband actively winds the dogs up. The toddler is taken to soft play most days and the older children seem to always be sat in front of a screen when we collect them. The original menus that we were shown seem to have been relegated in favour of hot dogs, pizza and pasta on rotation. They have taken on two groups of children who go to different schools and finish at exactly the same time every day. A few weeks after starting I was asked if my children could finish 15 mins early every day to enable the CM to get to the other school on time. Obviously I refused as it would have meant my children missing out on an hour of their education each week. Hence the CM is often a few mins late for my children instead. This is despite us having been the CM's first clients. We were also originally told verbally that the CM would only be taking on ours and one more as they have minimal childcare experience and wanted to get used to such a career change - on the first day we were told that they had taken on another two. I know these are within the legal numbers allowed but this was disappointing. Given all of this I now want the childcare to stop immediately. I do not need childcare up until the four week notice point anyway as I can work around this so I will be paying needlessly for it.

So what do I do? Is the CM being unreasonable to give me this reason? Am I being unreasonable to expect dogs to not bite me or my children? The second dog was bought six weeks after my children began. They have only been there for three months...

[PossumInAPearTree]

I would report them to ofsted for the dogs, late school pick ups, etc. I don't think they'll be bothered about the fact you've been given notice.

[MilkTwoSugarsThanks]

I'd pay the 4 weeks notice (which is probably in the contract), but not send my children if I didn't need to.

[BIgBagofJelly]

YANBU to report on account of the dog alone. I think you're right to stop childcare immediately but you may need to pay unless you can prove your children aren't being adequately cared for.

I think the childminder is BU to dump your kids for a better offer but not sure if you have any legal recourse.

[LagunaBubbles]

No the CM is not beinbg unreasonable if she has given you the 4 weeks notice (which I preseume is in the contract you signed?). Obviously it may then get around locally etc but it sounds like she has got someone lined up whol is worth more money, which is fair enough for her but unfortunately leaves you in the lurch. Sounds like you werent entirely happy anyway.

[KookSpook]

They are definately better off out of there, it sounds awful.

[Imnotaslimjim]

Not to sound weird but do you live in a town starting with S in the north-west?? It sounds very similar to a CM I used.

I would be looking for childcare elsewhere for all of the reasons you have stated though I know it is difficult when there isn't many about.

[IWantATardis]

The dog thing is worrying and something I'd consider reporting them over. It's also something that would have me looking for alternative childcare anyway.

The giving notice bit - do you have a written contract? What does that say about notice? They may well be contractually allowed to give notice at any time for any reason, frustrating as it is for you, unless the contract says otherwise.

[VeryBitchyRestingFace]

I don't see how she is being remotely unreasonable to give you 1 month's notice (unless you have 3 months stipulated in the contract).

However, why in the name of the wee man are you leaving your child with such a terrible minder? She sounds like a recipe for disaster (wrt the dogs).

[notenoughbottle]

I suppose its not that they are being unreasonable with the notice but more I feel it is a bit sly. It very likely means that I have to quite my degree, this was my last chance as it is a top up that needed to be completed within a ten year period. They are aware of this and although I know it is not their business or responsibility I suppose I feel a little like a house buyer would when they are gazumped by a better offer..

[OnMountains]

The main thing being the two dogs they have jumping up in my toddlers face/biting us when we collect the children

And you've left you children there ?

And not reported this previously ?

Let me just get this straight. You've left your children in a home with a dog that has bitten you?

No. Don't understand. Why would you not raise this before?

[spacefrog35]

I really hope you're exaggerating otherwise why on earth have you been sending your children there for the last 3 months. The dog bites & you sent your child back there

[notenoughbottle]

I'mnotaslimjim - no I don't although I imagine there are plenty of them around!

[DonkeyOaty]

Another one wondering why the care was acceptable enough RIGHT UP til the moment notice was given. Odd.

[OnMountains]

Donkey No, I am wondering why you would leave your children with a dog that's bitten you for six weeks (or more) though.

OP. Look for new childcare now - this wasn't suitable childcare for your children regardless and you should have been looking for a new one already.

[Trifleorbust]

It is a bit sly but she is perfectly within her rights - that is what the notice period is for.

[Costacoffeeplease]

So the dogs and the food and the tv was fine before? You're actually complaining that they've given you notice?

Bonkers

[notenoughbottle]

The dogs haven't 'attacked' us its more of a nip although my whole hand has been in said dog's mouth at times... No Donkey, care wasn't acceptable up until the moment notice was given. I just decided I wouldn't ruin CM's Christmas but bringing up complaint just before... CM is a very nice, friendly person but unfortunately the teething problems haven't really worn off. The fact that there is no other childcare locally for me to access left me with little choice but to kind of accept the smaller problems.

[VeryBitchyRestingFace]

I don't get what it is she's done that is "sly".

Fucking shite childminder - yes! Sly - not so much.

[notenoughbottle]

No Costacoffee, none of it was fine but when you are trying to access education as a mature student with absolutely no help other than what you can pay for it leaves you in a bit of a sticky situation.

[WankersHacksandThieves]

Do you hav any entitlement to a holiday period where you don't pay that you could use in the notice period?

I would report but for the reasons of poor care rather than from the notice point of view. It's not convenient for you but if it's within the contract terms then she isn't doing anything wrong from that point of view.

[OnMountains]

Your OP says dogs have bitten.

[drspouse]

If your children are at school, is there an after school club? Or a friend's parent you can swap (maybe weekend childcare, or the school run on days when you don't have to go in to uni till later)?

[FatalKittehCharms]

I'm so confused by this. You're not happy with their childcare and your children are at risk of being bitten on the face by their dogs but you're annoyed they have given you notice.

It sounds like you resent having to pay them for the next 4 weeks because you don't need the childcare.

If they're contractually allowed to terminate the agreement with 4 week's notice than YABU for calling them sly.

[WankersHacksandThieves]

I think the sly bit is that she has other children lined up that she can make more money from so hence giving OP notice.

[RatherBeRiding]

Well of course they are allowed to give you notice. It stinks, because you were obviously relying on them, but they are running a business and they seem more interested in a more profitable client than goodwill for an existing client.

The reason for giving you notice is probably neither here nor there so long as they are within the terms of their contract.

The dogs, the menus, the late school pick-ups are of far more concern and if you have any reason to report to Ofsted then I would go with those rather than the fact that they have given you proper notice.