If a mindee ruined your cot and it was unusable, what would you do?

Sorry to interrupt QE - but she really should be insured - if she is using NCMA contracts it actually says on them that she will provide adequat insurance - car household & public liability

it's totally her problem ( a pain - but her pain)

No you should not pay

If he pooed on the sofa would she expect you to buy a new sofa?
or if on the carpet a whole new carpet?

QE if you pay the grasping cow, not only will I lob the football at you, I will set the cat on you as well.

Ahhhhhhh happy days.

I hope you don't change your mind when you are faced witj her QE

Not read the whole thread but do you have a travel cot you could give her to use for your ds while he is there with the intention of having it back when he no longer needs it? I also think its cheeky asking you to replace it, i have had things ruined in the past and have never asked parents to replace them. I am a CM btw. Just be quite matter of fact about it when you discuss it with the cm and maybe phone her and go round without kids etc in the way!!! Good luck this stuff is never easy

Whilst reading this thread, my dd did a runny poo and leant on the wall and smeared it everywhere unknowingly How coincidental!

Don't pay for it btw

Its the cm's fault if "she has not insurance to cover the loss". Its her responsibity to ensure notify her insurers that she is a childminder and to ensure her policies adequately cover her possessions & equipment. She should be able to claim on her household insurance but I would think the excess would exceed the cost of a new cot - you can get a new one on Ebay for £15. Kiddicare.com are from only £29.97.

You could offer to loan her a cot for the sole use of your child, to be returned to you (either bring it back & forth each week - one parent is going to do this with me cos she wants her child to use her own cot or put in writing that its to be returned to you when your child leaves her care). Or, you might feel as its neither your fault nor hers, you might consider a compromise by offering to paying 1/2 - you can get a new cot on Ebay for £15 including p&p. Or get one second hand - check thrift sales like NCT \link{http://www.nct.org.uk/local/events} But I don't feel you have any obligation to pay her anything.

One of my minded children woke up & reached into her nappy to see what was there & brought out a handful - it was fortunate I was reading beside the cot so was able to intervene before she spread it everywhere. I wouldn't expect a cm to remain beside the cot tho - there may be other minded children who needed her attention or she may have been preparing dinner, nipped to the loo, answered the door or any number of things.

S**t happens - especially to those caring for children!

it's already been said but CM's have to accept wear & tear and unexpected damages, that is why they get a wear & tear allowance. Also buying a new travel cot (new or 2nd hand) would be an allowable business expense.

Can't believe she asked you, completely out of order!

many mindees

FFS!!! I'm a childminder and NO WAY should you buy a new one. If you do, you will have paid for something that many many will no doubt get to use! I believe she shoudl clean it and if she REALLY thinks it can't be cleaned then SHE is responsible for sorting a new one! Even if she wasn't covered by insurance, so what, it's her problem!!! She was in charge and as shoshable said, we get allowance for wear and tear as unfortunately, ours houses/equipment do get destroyed over time.

If I were you, I'd recommend she looks on Freecycle for a new one! Then it doesn't cost anything

DO NOT PAY!!!

thats exactly what i would say in my gutteral northern accent

I agree, you shouldn't pay for it.

Let's face it - "Kid in poo accident shocker" is hardly going to make the front pages. Stuff gets broken, stuff gets worn out, stuff gets messy, all part of her overheads. End of.

WOOHOOO!!
QE - thats just perfect, should convey the message very well!!

Does this mean you aren't going to replace it then

So will I.

Give you a cyber-slap, I mean.

Fecks me off no end when piss-takers get what they want by making others feel responsible.

is it a very expensive travel cot? for the sake of not causing a fuss i would probably buy her a cheapish one, take the other one off her hands, clean it up and sell it.

i still dont think its your responsibility though, i think she has a cheek.

This is how the conversation could go..

(her) "Oh it would cost me a fortune to replace it!"

(you) "Oh that's a shame, isn't it, still I'm sure it will clean up fine."

(her) "Well I think because it was your child that ruined my cot, you should pay for a new one!"

(you) "Oh dear, it's a shame we aren't seeing eye to eye about this. Do you want me to write a letter to the insurance company for you? I know how you must have a lot of paper work already."

(her) "So you're not going to pay for it? I think that's disgusting!"

(you) "I heard that pet mess remover is good at removing poo, also biological washing powder. I'm sure it won't stain if you scrub it."

I'm a cm and would never dream of asking for it to be replaces, we get a tax break of ten percent of everything we earn, for wear and tear, she can also buy a cot and take it off her expenses, i have just bought new cots and do so every few years, so she is taking the mickey.

I'm a CM and I wouldn't dream of asking this. I would see it as one of the not very nice parts of the job and get my marigolds on.

she is pushing her luck imo...give her a bottle of dettol

It is not your responsiblilty if she has to pay an excess on her insurance claims. You shouldn't pay her anything for it. Offer to clean it for her if it makes you feel better but in the end she's a childminder and this sort of thing is part and parcel of the job. Children in your care sometimes break things.