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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Is this rude or am I being oversensitive after a long week in work.

39 replies

navyeyelasH · 04/02/2011 18:36

warning - sorry long

I have a website, it clearly states my hourly rather and that I operate on a session basis (8am-1pm/1pm-6pm/8am-6pm), lunch is at 11.30-12ish and dinner 4ish.

Had an enquiry last night from someone saying they had seen my website and wanted childcare for 2 days from 9am-4.30pm.

I replied saying we had the vacancy needed from April and that "We run our childminding business slightly differently to others in that we operate sessions; so you would be billed from 8am-6pm, you can drop off as late at 9.15 am and collect as early as 4.45pm."

Got this reply.

"The reason I want to put my son with a childminder is because I am fed up of paying a daily rate at nursery rather that hourly. I am trying to cut down my costs. I would not be happy to pay you for a full day if my son is not with you for a full day.

If you can not take an hourly rate then I will look elsewhere."

The whole tone just sounds really awful to me, am I being over-sensitive?! I think it's the last part that really rankles me! If I let every child do a random set of 7.5 hours each day I'd lose £18,000 a year! Really hate the dogs body mindset some parents have about childminders.

Wine time I think!!

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AnnieLobeseder · 04/02/2011 18:59

We have a wine emoticon?!?!?! How did I miss this!!

WineWineWine

Loverly!

You're not being oversensitive, btw. Hardly a good tone to start off a childminding relationship! Tell her to indeed look elsewhere!

mnistooaddictive · 04/02/2011 18:56

Yanbu a friend told me she was putting her daughter with a childminder 9am-3.30pm. When I pointed out she may have to pay the full daily rate she was amazed but the cm is loosing the option of a different child for a full day so it seems fair enough to me.

Original poster
navyeyelasH · 04/02/2011 18:52

I relied just saying that we only do sessions due to the problem of fitting other children into the "left over" hours - good luck with the search etc and even gave the number of FIS.

The point is mute now anyway as the space is filled. I completely see their point of view by the way, in their position I would want to pay hourly too.

We do have 18 children on roll who more or less all do 8am-5/6pm anyway so the session system does work where I live.

OP posts:
YesNameChange · 04/02/2011 18:47

I think it's really easy to read 'tone' into text. If you read it not assigning a tone it's very matter of fact.

Cherryonthetop · 04/02/2011 18:47

Yes, its brisk but not rude. Crack open the wine and tell them to Fuck off but not in those words obviously.Grin

nannynick · 04/02/2011 18:46

Bit over sensitive. They at least sent you something back. So they know your position and you know their position. They are not compatible so that's that.

Reply back with a sweet and simple reply. "Sorry I provide childcare sessions, not per-hour billing. If that is not suitable for you, then I wish you every success with your hunt for a childminder."
Something like that.

MerylStrop · 04/02/2011 18:45

I'd say it's factual rather than rude. I expect it is probably just that the parents are skint and only need part-time hours. I don't really blame them for not wanting to pay for 2 1/2 hours childcare per day they don't need.

ojmummy · 04/02/2011 18:44

As a parent who uses a CM I have to say I would feel same as parent, I just would have put it less harshly! What you offer will suit some parents, but not all. I wanted a CM so I could pay for hours needed rather than a day rate. Also parent wants care until 4.30 but you say collection can be from 4.45pm - she may well want to collect straight after work and so having to kill those 15mins may be a pain. I wouldnt take it personally as I say, I am sure what you offer suits some parents.

Original poster
navyeyelasH · 04/02/2011 18:44

I am going to let them look elsewhere, mainly on the basis of the tone of the email and I'm a big judgeypants!

I'd certainly expect a reply along the lines of "oh no what I shame, I was really hoping to pay hourly as am trying to cut my childcare bill. Is there any room for negotiation?" and wouldn't find that rude at all.

It's definitely the last part of it, so dismissive!

[drinks wine and calms down pronto!]

OP posts:
ConnorTraceptive · 04/02/2011 18:43

I can see both sides and totally understand why you operate the way you do. I understand why she wants flexibility and to cut costs. Her reasons are fine but her tone is snippy she should have just said "thanks but looking to pay an hourly rate" and left it at that.

I would probably just not respond now.

Ripeberry · 04/02/2011 18:43

I do an hourly rate as the only work around here is bits and pieces here and there.
If I was a parent I would rather pay hourly as well...sorry.

BeerTricksPotter · 04/02/2011 18:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

unfitmother · 04/02/2011 18:37

Let them look eleswhere.

TheVisitor · 04/02/2011 18:37

I think you're being a teensy bit oversensitive. I can see both sides, really.

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