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Original poster

Paying Notice After Safeguarding Issues

33 replies

amyvictoria · 11/01/2020 19:23

Hello,

I have recently taken my 11 month old son out of a childminders immediately after noticing signs of some safeguarding issues. However she is still charging me 4 weeks notice. I was wondering if I still had to pay this?

My son was collected from his childminders with dirty hands and face, he had a dirty nappy with poo in it that had caused him to have a nappy rash (very unusual for him to get rashes) and he also had a small wall hook with a metal part on it in his mouth, which she failed to noticed and I noticed it myself on pick up. She didn’t apologise on confronting her about his dirty nappy, didn’t offer to change him or give me the option to change him there either. She also laughed off the fact he had a choking hazard in his mouth.

Along with these safeguarding issues I have arrived at her property several times on the agreed time and she hadn’t been there with no communication to state her whereabouts. I had politely spoken to her about this, however it continued.

I have had advice from other childcare that if I am pulling my child out of childcare immediately for safeguarding issues I don’t have to pay the 4 weeks notice. Please could anyone give me any further advice on what to do?

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Original poster
amyvictoria · 11/01/2020 19:55

Thank you for the replies, she is ofsted registered. I understand childminders need to make a living and I would always follow a contract and never deprive anyone of rightful pay. I understand some may see this as an opportunity but I have truly been left feeling very upset with the circumstances. I have had to find alternate childcare for my son and I’m a single parent. If I didn’t have these concerns I would follow the 4 weeks notice and keep him in the current childcare until the final date not risk paying two lots of childcare when funding is difficult anyway.

For those who have said this is normal, children should not be left in a dirty nappy to the extend it gives a rash. My son has never had a rash previous to this and it saddens me. I understand they may not always be noticeable but by the smells he produces at the moment they really are haha! Especially through the teething period. It also doesn’t take a minute to give his hands and face a clean, especially before pick up. If this was from messy play I wouldn’t question it, however this was muck.

Thanks again!

OP posts:
ElluesPichulobu · 11/01/2020 19:49

are you sure you know what "safeguarding" means?

the hook thing is a mild concern yes but isn't a big enough deal to trigger this get-out- clause.

the thing about not having to pay notice if you are removing due to safeguarding is basically if something happens which means that as soon as the authorities find out about it, the place will be shut down. then you don't have to pay notice because obviously the childminder wouldn't be in a position of having an unpaid vacancy that you are contractually obliged to fill.

a childminder would not be shut down and banned from operating due to a toddler finding a bit of metal. so nope.

QueenOfTheFae · 11/01/2020 19:44

I wouldn't pay - as she has breached her contract with you to take care of your child

I would also report her to whatever body is relevant

Wildorchidz · 11/01/2020 19:35

Did you report the issues to whoever she is registered with?

TeenPlusTwenties · 11/01/2020 19:34

The issue I suppose with not paying is that then everyone would 'find' a safeguarding issue to get out of paying notice.

Thetellyisjelly · 11/01/2020 19:30

I wouldn’t pay no way !
But mumsnet is childminder heavy...
So the responses may be quite one sided.

Soontobe60 · 11/01/2020 19:28

If you have safeguarding concerns you need to report it. The only thing that would concern me is the object in his mouth. Everything else is just part and parcel of being a child!
You need to pay up.

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 11/01/2020 19:27

Oersonally I would just pay and walk away. Do you need the hassle?

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