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Original poster

Mindee sickness / absence - advice needed please

37 replies

Pinner35 · 20/10/2012 22:15

I currently look after a 10 month old girl. She started with me on Sept 3rd, three days per week, term time only as her mother is a teacher. All has been good so far.....

A couple of weeks ago, mindees grandmother passed away. She lived quite a distance from us, so I didn't have the mindee for that week. Last week, mindee was ill with D&V, so she wasn't with me for last week either. She's now fully recovered and I've had am email from her mother asking if I could have mindee for 4 days this week instead of 3. So, would you charge for the extra day, or would you suck it up since you've not had the mindee for a week?

WWYD?

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BlueChampagne · 20/10/2012 23:17

As a parent I would expect to be charged!

Original poster
Pinner35 · 20/10/2012 22:41

I know, its odd isn't it. I don't phone my gym and say I haven't been for a month, can I have the next month free please??

OP posts:
AThingInYourLife · 20/10/2012 22:37

People get weirdly aggrieved about having to pay for childcare they "didn't use".

The fact that they pay for that place to be available to them on an ongoing basis seems to elude them.

AThingInYourLife · 20/10/2012 22:34

Just write back and say that your terms are quite clear in her contract and you don't vary them.

frazzlerock · 20/10/2012 22:34

Mindee was off sick ffs. I can't understand why the mother would expect a free day. That's crazy. What a loon.

Original poster
Pinner35 · 20/10/2012 22:33

This is their PFB and they have no experience of CM's (plus I think they are feeling the pinch financially). Thanks for all your replies...I do feel reassured that I've done the right thing. Should I reply to her email?

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinner35 · 20/10/2012 22:30

Well exactly Frazzlerock. I would quite like to respond to her email, but I'm not sure what to say. I don't want to fall out with them...they're a lovely family but I don't want it hanging over us.

OP posts:
AThingInYourLife · 20/10/2012 22:29

Of course you charge.

Will she be "flexible" and still pay you if you are not available to work?

Don't feel guilty. This is your livelihood.

Ebb · 20/10/2012 22:28

You are a professional offering a service. Of course you should charge. It's not your fault she wasn't in. You were available. She sounds a cheeky mare!

frazzlerock · 20/10/2012 22:26

Why the hell wouldn't you charge?! Confused

Original poster
Pinner35 · 20/10/2012 22:24

Well, I did rearrange my day to accommodate her and I gently reminded them that it would be a chargeable day. I got a stroppy email back saying they thought I would be more flexible, etc etc. DH thinks I should def charge, but I do feel a little bit guilty.

OP posts:
HSMM · 20/10/2012 22:20

I would charge, but I'm mean like that. If you are nicer than me and do it as a freebie, make sure they know it is a one off.