Unhappy parent, first time dealing with this.

I think you did the right thing getting rid, right or wrong, nobody should speak to
Someone like that. I charge all bank holidays but state very very clearly on contracts and in hand book that on no occasion do I work them

It's not petty - it's the fact that a nanny is employed by you, and a CM is self employed. Also a childminder has other children to consider, a nanny doesn't.

You get what you pay for in that respect.

Yes but susie did say she wanted to terminate the trial first.

I think some areas there must be a greater demand for childminders than here.

I am sure if susie didn't have a waiting list she would have let this go.

I am so glad I have changed to a nanny I loved my childminder but it was this sort of petty things that did her out of a job. It is so much easier now. I dreaded telling my childminder that I wanted to get a nanny because I knew she didn't have a replacement.

I think, eastnorth that your situation was entirely different. You wanted your normal contracted hours for the Bank Holiday, and your CM was unable to fulfill that contract as she had made plans with her family. She shouldn't have done that and you shouldn't have had to pay.

Susie was offering her contracted times, parent just didnt want them - therefore, she should pay.

baffled at why Mum didnt just enjoy the afternoon off

She wasn't just "a bit rude" though, was she?

She actually rang the other mindees parents to check up, then accused Susie of lying and being difficult in order to try and get a day out with her kids that she was paying for.

She refused utterly to accept any of the suggestions or compromises that Susie suggested and was downright nasty about the whole incident.

I can understand disappointment because the service she'd wanted wasn't available just as she pleased. I can even understand "a bit rude": I wouldn't terminate for that, although I would make it clear I wasn't impressed.

It's the rest of it that would make me adamant I couldn't possibly work with this woman.

I think Susie did the right thing and acted professionally throughout.

Yes agreed she was a bit nasty, I am just a bit soft but if you were an hour away it was quite inconvenient for her to pick up.

The point of a settling in period is to see if there is a good match though - if there isn't a good match then it's better to end it sooner rather than later.

I think it was a bit harsh to get rid of her over this especially as her child was lovely and settled.

After reading northeast post I can sort of see it both ways.

This happened to me when I used to have a childminder. Thing is I only needed a couple of hours care and my childminder was going out with her family so I could not use her.

She offered to take my dc but we had relatives comming so didn't want him gone all day.

It was a bank holiday and I always picked him up at twelve on a Monday anyway.

I think it may be better to close bank holidays all together and don't charge.

Didn't think it was worth falling out over but I was annoyed. No need for her rudeness but we all say things in the heat of the moment.

Well done OP, the parent sounds really arrogant and selfish. If she's like this so early on, she would only have got worse. You have nothing at all to feel bad about, she has behaved appallingly.

Good for you op! Sounds like you handled that really well!

IME it's always the parents who are the problem, never the mindee.

Maybe she'll think twice about how she speaks to people in the future though. How dare she be so bloody rude, like you're some sort of minion.

Good job you found out what she was like before a full contract was signed.
I have just had to give one of my families 4wks notice. This is the first time in 4yrs I have done this. I feel terrible but I have genuine reason.
Good luck with new mindee.

Well done for being straight with her and good to hear you've got another child in already.

Perhaps the mother will be more respectful of cms in future.

Sorry I forgot to add. But you are available for minding as you offered to take the child with you. So then she is the one who is being unreasonable. Don't change your plans.

If you told her about the day in advance then she is being unreasonable if she expects you to change your plans. On the other hand if a childminder is unavailabe for minding then I do not think the parents should be charged for that time. If a nursery is closed then surely you wouldn't pay.

Good for you! What cheek.

I was a minder and a nanny for a long time and only ever had lovely parents, thankfully! Can't believe some people.

Good for you. Silly lady. Hopefully the lovely child will settle elsewhere. :)

Well your gut instinct was correct, shame that the mindee was so lovely

I always think that I'd love to be a primary-school teacher as I'd love working with the children but I know I couldn't deal with the parents

Maybe this will give the mum food for thought. If she had attempted a compromise then she would still have childcare!

Well done for being strong, I completely agree with what you have done and I hope you had a lovely day out!

Good for you! Am impressed.