Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Message from childminder

165 replies

discombobulaty · 24/11/2023 19:16

Aibu to think this is shit.

''Due to a change of circumstances I am no longer going to be working Friday pm. This unfortunately means that I need to give notice. Therefore My last day with xx will be 5th January.

Thank you''

So for context my child started with childminder 3 weeks ago, one afternoon a week, all seems to be going well, he's reluctant to go in but I get updates pretty quickly to say he's settled fine. CM newly registered and doesn't seem particularly busy.

AIBU to be fed up with this?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
ForegoneConfusion · 26/11/2023 17:44

SiennaMillar · 26/11/2023 12:30

Yes I agree, it shows she’s unreliable, and you can add that to a google review.

So you think the childminder should drop out of her college course, in order to keep looking after the OPs child for £18 an afternoon?

Tereseta · 26/11/2023 17:08

hookiewookie29 · 26/11/2023 14:48

I'm surprised she got away with that! We were told that if we were closed and not providing a service then we couldn't charge, it was actually illegal!

Show quote history

Seriously! My sister would not let any of us suggest it was wrong at the time. We all saw her dumping them a mile off!

hookiewookie29 · 26/11/2023 14:49

RogersOrganismicProcess · 24/11/2023 21:04

Shockingly low wage. I think most people would rather that day off than hanging around waiting for £18! £18 to care for the most precious little people in our lives. As a nation our priorities are messed up! This should be a valued profession!

This!!^^^

hookiewookie29 · 26/11/2023 14:48

Tereseta · 24/11/2023 20:26

That's nothing, my sisters childminder made her pay all through covid when she wasn't there, then as soon as she reopened told her there wasn't a place for my nephew

I'm surprised she got away with that! We were told that if we were closed and not providing a service then we couldn't charge, it was actually illegal!

ThickSkinnedSoWhat · 26/11/2023 14:47

discombobulaty · 26/11/2023 12:01

@Blondeshavemorefun yes I'm working Monday - Friday and I have other childcare for a Monday (grandparents)

All the nursery's were wanting a full day £58 or 2 half days £30 x 2. I can't afford that. I'll try some other childminders.

So you're working Monday to Friday, the grandparents are being used for all childcare except that one afternoon (poor grandparents) and yet you cannot afford £60 childcare a week despite working five days?

I think the childminder will now likely be celebrating. I cannot believe you had the audacity to be rude about six weeks notice, then stick your nose into her business expecting to know why she had to change her working hours.

hookiewookie29 · 26/11/2023 14:46

discombobulaty · 24/11/2023 19:36

From what I can see she only has my son that day and her own daughter so I just don't know. Obviously I'll have to accept it.

Maybe she's discovered how much childminding eats into family time and has decided to spend the time with her daughter.
Childminding is full on - I've done it for 24 years since my son was tiny, and had my daughter 5 years later.
There's no let up during the day- no lunch break, or tea break...no time to spend with your own children....they lose out a fair bit, believe me!

StarlightLime · 26/11/2023 13:42

PoachedEggSandwich · 26/11/2023 13:38

If I read a negative complaint, from a parent, who was given 6 weeks notice because the childminders college course day changed (I.e out of her control), I'd think the poster was a twat and it would have zero effect on my decision to use them.

Honestly. Should the childminder to sack off her college course because a parent like you and the OP might complain?

Show quote history

Ditto.
Thete are some mean minded twats around, but thankfully it's fairly easy to see their agenda before they cause too much mischief.

PoachedEggSandwich · 26/11/2023 13:38

SiennaMillar · 26/11/2023 12:30

Yes I agree, it shows she’s unreliable, and you can add that to a google review.

If I read a negative complaint, from a parent, who was given 6 weeks notice because the childminders college course day changed (I.e out of her control), I'd think the poster was a twat and it would have zero effect on my decision to use them.

Honestly. Should the childminder to sack off her college course because a parent like you and the OP might complain?

KateyCuckoo · 26/11/2023 13:21

SiennaMillar · 26/11/2023 12:30

Yes I agree, it shows she’s unreliable, and you can add that to a google review.

Don't be so nasty!

ManchesterLu · 26/11/2023 13:05

Things change, that's a brilliant amount of notice to give.

Blondeshavemorefun · 26/11/2023 12:59

And a good reason why she is stopping. A college course so she can better herself or might be stuff for childcare

I've just refreshed my knowledge and redid a course of allergies and reflux cmpa etx

Mischance · 26/11/2023 12:31

Not "unreliable" - that would be if she gave you a week's notice out of the blue. She has aspects of life other than her child-minding. Something has come up and she has helpfully let people know early.

SiennaMillar · 26/11/2023 12:30

Yes I agree, it shows she’s unreliable, and you can add that to a google review.

Blondeshavemorefun · 26/11/2023 12:28

Ah ok. Then lucky to have gp and no other childcare costs - to pay £18 a week childcare is amazing

Original poster
discombobulaty · 26/11/2023 12:01

@Blondeshavemorefun yes I'm working Monday - Friday and I have other childcare for a Monday (grandparents)

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 25/11/2023 21:57

@discombobulaty I assume you aren't working as dc is only in for 3/3.5hrs a week

So why can't you do the Monday she has offered if you don't want to change cm

Cosyblankets · 25/11/2023 13:40

discombobulaty · 24/11/2023 21:29

So I replied and said I was disappointed, she's said she won't expect any further payment if I decide to take my son out from now. The reason for the change is her college night has changed ( didn't know she was at college) so needs to finish at 3 on Fridays!

It isn't your business to know that she's in college.

GRex · 25/11/2023 11:17

It is nice when someone works around whatever you want, with no conflicting needs of their own, but on this occasion the childminder can't do that. I don't understand what you're annoyed about, as she's given plenty of notice, can you articulate what you think she did wrong please?

Lateliein · 25/11/2023 11:12

Literally none of your business what her life involves. She's given you notice, deal with it.

Blondeshavemorefun · 25/11/2023 10:46

He's prob reluctant to go in as once a week

Really needs to be least twice a week so gets used

TheRealLilyMunster · 25/11/2023 10:35

StarlightLime · 24/11/2023 21:13

Why? It's 3 hours per week, and he's only been going there for a couple of weeks. Hardly a life shattering change?

Show quote history

Also the OP says that her child is reluctant to go in, so I doubt he'll be bothered at all at the prospect of not going.

PlasticineKing · 25/11/2023 08:27

SecondUsername4me · 24/11/2023 21:47

If you only needed half a day a week I'm sure you'd work something out. It's not like the child was there 50 hours a week and she's been dropped.

Show quote history

Fair enough, hadn’t really tied it together that it was 3/4 hours a week.

Round here a new childminder would fill up in a matter of days, shame she’s not busier than it sounds from what OP has said.

NoraBattysCurlers · 25/11/2023 06:10

It's good to hear that the childminder goes to college.

Hopefully, it will lead not only to a job with better pay and conditions but also one where she is dealing with more reasonable people.

weirdoboelady · 25/11/2023 01:34

You say you didn't know she was at college, and this comes across over the internet as if you disapprove. Of course it may be my assumptions that are wrong. But if I am right, really it isn't any business of yours what she does when she is not working for you. Are you implying that she is younger than you thought? She certainly seems well put together and professional, to me, for giving you good notice.

On the other hand, you are asking AIBU? Yes, I think you are, but all credit to you for asking, and considering that your point of view might be wrong. (So might mine)

Snugglemonkey · 25/11/2023 01:14

discombobulaty · 24/11/2023 21:29

So I replied and said I was disappointed, she's said she won't expect any further payment if I decide to take my son out from now. The reason for the change is her college night has changed ( didn't know she was at college) so needs to finish at 3 on Fridays!

Sounds perfectly reasonable.

Swipe left for the next trending thread