Page 16 | Childminder wants to close at 1pm for the rest of the week

SweatySpider321 · 2026-06-23T12:32:05+00:00

Woke to a text from my childminder, announcing due to the weather we need to try to collect our children at 1pm for the rest of the week -530pm is the usual finish time. I’m not even a week into a new job and my husband has no leave left (mainly due to covering her annual leave). It’s not in our contract and it’s funded hours we use with her

Striveforcompetence · 23/06/2026 14:12

My mum was a childminder. She bought a portable air conditioning unit as part of her business - so she could keep the rooms she used at a safe and comfortable temperature whilst still providing the service being paid for.

I’d be telling her no, she is being paid and she needs to manage this as it will be a hot summer.

Original poster

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 14:09

NewGoldFox · 23/06/2026 14:04

Go into work as normal then say child is sick?
Really tricky situation for you and I’d be looking for a more reliable minder as a priority.

Edited to say better if husband can do this or get dependents leave as mentioned above.

Edited

I wouldnt be happy to lie to my work place and husband will point blank refuse to lie

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StrictlyCoffee · 23/06/2026 14:07

“Sorry, we can’t”.

There you go

Marchingonby333 · 23/06/2026 14:07

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 13:47

The heat. It’s meant to be 32 tomorrow here

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She is having a bloody laugh at 32 degrees. She is also taking the piss unless she lives in a metal caravan.

PoppingRobin · 23/06/2026 14:06

jibjibb · 23/06/2026 13:50

Its a red weather warning so 'danger to life' so shes entitled to work how she sees fit.

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Really? She offers a home from home environment I’m guessing, so there’s logic in sending children home to be in their own homes? I can understand schools and businesses but it’s a bit of a joke. Bet if you told her you’d only pay her half a day she’d soon change her tune!

Original poster

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 14:05

mrsbowes · 23/06/2026 13:59

It's unlikely to be this hot all summer, is it?

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Not my area of specialty so lm not sure. But it’s only June so there may be some hot weeks or fortnights in July and August to come

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NewGoldFox · 23/06/2026 14:04

Go into work as normal then say child is sick?
Really tricky situation for you and I’d be looking for a more reliable minder as a priority.

Edited to say better if husband can do this or get dependents leave as mentioned above.

mrsbowes · 23/06/2026 14:04

Your husband should take dependent's leave since you're a week into a new job.

Original poster

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 14:04

mrsbowes · 23/06/2026 14:00

Be glad your child isn't at school, they are all closing full stop for the next 2 days where I am.

None of the schools are closing here. It’s going to be hot here but not very hot like in other places

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Original poster

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 14:03

Thehop · 23/06/2026 13:59

We've had to close nursery at 1pm but when I was a childminder we did a lot better because I could keep the children calm and cool more easily.

not much you can do really but show work the message and explain you need to finish early this week.

I won’t be showing work the message no. It’s the start of a new job, it’s not solely my responsibility, l will either have to not be paid or make up the time (lm not in a position to do them either). Plus l can’t ditch a lot of appointments at such short notice without a real reason -it’s hot isn’t a real reason

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mrsbowes · 23/06/2026 14:00

Be glad your child isn't at school, they are all closing full stop for the next 2 days where I am.

Thehop · 23/06/2026 13:59

We've had to close nursery at 1pm but when I was a childminder we did a lot better because I could keep the children calm and cool more easily.

not much you can do really but show work the message and explain you need to finish early this week.

mrsbowes · 23/06/2026 13:59

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 13:52

I literally said that 🤣. I said we could try but 1pm isn’t very realistic as we both have face to face appointments booked in for the rest of the week. She’s annoyed clearly by the response she sent -banging on about safety, risk assessments etc

If she does this all summer and it’s meant to be a hot summer, then what are we meant to say to work -we will pick things up properly at the end of September?!

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It's unlikely to be this hot all summer, is it?

Overthebow · 23/06/2026 13:59

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 13:47

The heat. It’s meant to be 32 tomorrow here

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32? Do not the high 35-38 we’re seeing in my area? No excuse to shut at 32, it’s not that unusual. It’s going to be 36+ where I am tomorrow and my DCs school and nursery aren’t shutting and after school activities still on.

ThatJadeLion · 23/06/2026 13:57

What a joke. She needs to provide the service she's contracted to do. As for the schools, also what a joke. I think it should be optional on those days but most parents have to work!!! Often these days to just survive and be able to feed their kids. I don't work , I don't get paid. I'm sure my mortgage company would be sympathetic at the end of the month if I don't have the funds.. not.

PrettyLittleRose · 23/06/2026 13:56

I'd be looking for a new childminder. She sounds incompetent and useless.

How daft that anyone would think it's even remotely OK to drop everything, let people down, and sit in the garden all afternoon 'with a bottle of wine!'. Most people can't just stop work and do this. 🙄And who the F drinks alcohol in this heat?!

Why can she not take the children into the garden?

Original poster

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 13:56

topcat2014 · 23/06/2026 13:53

Then we wonder why productivity is going down the toilet in the UK

I know right. It’s meant to be a hot summer but life still goes on. My ICU nurse friend is still going to work

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Mylifeisprettyshitrightnow · 23/06/2026 13:55

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 13:52

I literally said that 🤣. I said we could try but 1pm isn’t very realistic as we both have face to face appointments booked in for the rest of the week. She’s annoyed clearly by the response she sent -banging on about safety, risk assessments etc

If she does this all summer and it’s meant to be a hot summer, then what are we meant to say to work -we will pick things up properly at the end of September?!

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I'd also look for another childminder to be honest, if you think she's going to cop out over summer too.

Original poster

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 13:54

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 23/06/2026 13:40

Is there a particular problem with her house in the heat? Struggling with why her house is a less suitable place for the kids than at home as they can equally nap there.

I can’t remember who deals with funding for funded hours as my kids are older but is she planning to inform them that she’s not providing the service?

Not that l can see. Her house is similar to our house and no big issues

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Mylifeisprettyshitrightnow · 23/06/2026 13:54

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 13:52

I literally said that 🤣. I said we could try but 1pm isn’t very realistic as we both have face to face appointments booked in for the rest of the week. She’s annoyed clearly by the response she sent -banging on about safety, risk assessments etc

If she does this all summer and it’s meant to be a hot summer, then what are we meant to say to work -we will pick things up properly at the end of September?!

Show quote history

Ask her why she can't just get paddling pool and water play out in the shade, or keep the kids inside with a fan on and cold drinks? That's what everyone else will do. Otherwise it's not "safe" for them to be at home either, surely.

topcat2014 · 23/06/2026 13:53

Then we wonder why productivity is going down the toilet in the UK

Original poster

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 13:53

jibjibb · 23/06/2026 13:41

I think thats fair enough for the childminders/ Both my kids schools are shut wed & thur and she may not have air con in her house.

No schools here are closed or meant to be closing

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Original poster

SweatySpider321 · 23/06/2026 13:52

NuffSaidSam · 23/06/2026 13:44

If she's asked to 'try' and pick your DC up at 1pm, just tell her that you have tried and you can't because of work commitments!

It's absolutely ridiculous imo. I'm a nanny and I wouldn't dream of telling the parents I'll be knocking off at 1pm today as it's hot!! Some things have to continue even in extreme heat and one of those things is looking after children! What does she think you're going to do at home?! Pop them in the fridge until the heatwave is over?

I literally said that 🤣. I said we could try but 1pm isn’t very realistic as we both have face to face appointments booked in for the rest of the week. She’s annoyed clearly by the response she sent -banging on about safety, risk assessments etc

If she does this all summer and it’s meant to be a hot summer, then what are we meant to say to work -we will pick things up properly at the end of September?!

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Mylifeisprettyshitrightnow · 23/06/2026 13:51

Oh that's just utterly ridiculous. She's being unreasonable.

MakeItToTheMoon · 23/06/2026 13:51

Our childminder remains open. They’ve just made the garden safe from direct sun and lots of water play/ paddling pools. Unless there is a reason they cannot manage the children safely then it’s not really fair to ask parents to collect children earlier.