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Original poster

Help I really need advise..

29 replies

lottiesmummy · 09/04/2008 10:21

I am a registered childminder, I've recently (2 weeks ago) started with a new child, NCMA contracts all signed etc and on monday the little girls mum told me she's been told by her work that there is no more work for her from this wed (today) so she wont be bringing the child anymore from then, I put in the contract 4 weeks written notice paid etc as usual, as she wont have a wage from today she can't pay me four weeks notice ( we didnt have a settling in period as the child was very happy coming here so mum said not neccesary) I don't know what to do, she's a single mum and was going to get tax credits but obviously as she's not earning they wont be paying any...

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Original poster
lottiesmummy · 15/04/2008 12:44

Thank you xxx

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tinkplus1 · 14/04/2008 14:34

I won't give up childminding as I do enjoy it but I changed the way i run my business and i work more like a nursery. All my parents pay a month in advance and are charged 5 pound a day if the payment is late. I only accept cash or bank transfer which has to clear into my account before the 1st of the month. I will not accept a cheque under any circumstances as these are two easy to stop. If you used an ncma contract call the legal advice line they were very helpful and gave me a great deal of support. You are totally within your rights to be paid that money and you have bills to pay too I am sure people think we do this job for the fun of it. Good luck i hope you get your money

Original poster
lottiesmummy · 12/04/2008 16:37

It seems some think I'm not, I have a mortgage to pay and two children to feed and clothe, she agreed the contract as you say, she said she was paid by cheque by the agency and will get me the money this wednesday... I will never be doing this again as my husband has banned me from childminding as its the parents who take the P why should we suffer for this? as you also said a nursery would charge the months fee

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tinkplus1 · 11/04/2008 17:16

Parent should not have agreed a contract that states 4 weeks notice if she cannot afford to pay it. Regardless of the job.

I get so annoyed with people who do this.

I took a single mum to court and won 50% of my money. This may upset some people but it seems that some single parents don't want to be treated any differently until it comes to playing on it and then they play the single parent card.

Childminding is a business like a nursery and I am damn sure the nursery would charge. You have a legally binding contract and you are entitled to the money.

KellyKateneedsaholiday · 09/04/2008 16:17

tax credits told me this too about the cooling off period. I told them i didnt want the extra 4 weeks money cos contract would end on x date and i didnt need the 4 weeks money. Tax credits women said thats how it works now. I asked her if this would count as an overpayment and she said no. I looked through the tax credits website after she told me this and this did seem to be right.

Original poster
lottiesmummy · 09/04/2008 15:41

I've been told on bounty that "tax credits pay 4 weeks cooling off period so she will still have 4 weeks money" anyone heard this?

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KatyMac · 09/04/2008 15:24

Do make sure tax credits know she doesn't pay childcare to you

Original poster
lottiesmummy · 09/04/2008 13:51

I'm not going to just wait for her, im advertising like mad now. She said as soon as she has a job etc etc but if im offered other children she would understand if i took them on in the mean time x

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imananny · 09/04/2008 13:30

i dont think you can afford to wait for her, just incase she gets a job, plus even if she does get a job,she might not def use you if the hours dont suit

you will have to advertise and hopefully fill the space

im sure she feels just as bad as you do

Original poster
lottiesmummy · 09/04/2008 13:22

Me and my children have bonded well with her over the last weeks as theyve all been on holiday and all got pretty close, I hope she does get a job fast and we all get back to this, but I really need to sort something fast.

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crace · 09/04/2008 13:18

LM - I see what you mean - however you are really caught in a very awkward position. The fact remains she won't be able to pay you, and it's up to you whether you want to pursue a potential small claims.

It's not easy whatever you do, you will be losing.

I reckon just probably leave this one, and hope/pray something else comes along quickly.

Hang in there

crace · 09/04/2008 13:18

LM - I see what you mean - however you are really caught in a very awkward position. The fact remains she won't be able to pay you, and it's up to you whether you want to pursue a potential small claims.

It's not easy whatever you do, you will be losing.

I reckon just probably leave this one, and hope/pray something else comes along quickly.

Hang in there

Original poster
lottiesmummy · 09/04/2008 13:05
Hmm
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Squiffy · 09/04/2008 11:54

It's miserable but it's life, let it go and concentrate on filling the space. She will remember you for being resonable and she is probably in no position to afford to pay you anyway. Most contracts would have a clause covering reduced notice for the first month anyway, so you are in no worse a position than most other childminders in your situation. It is fortunate in a way that it haoppened now and not later on after you and the child had bonded.

Original poster
lottiesmummy · 09/04/2008 11:41

she was working through an agency. the dept is closing they told her.

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imananny · 09/04/2008 11:37

seems a little strange that her employers didnt give her any more notice then a few days

it does seem unfair that you are out of pocket, and esp if you turned down the other child.

hope you find another child soon to fill your vacancy xx

Original poster
lottiesmummy · 09/04/2008 11:33

I know its not her fault, I do feeel bad as she's nice and the little girl is lovely, I just have to be realistic and think of how I'm going to pay bills on no wages

thanks for the help x

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WallOfSilence · 09/04/2008 11:29

If you're going to find it difficult to fill the space, is there any way you could help her out? Tell her you will mind dd whilst she goes for interviews etc... if she gives you the c/minding job when she lands a job?

Then she would pay you the money when she is working?

Original poster
lottiesmummy · 09/04/2008 11:27

she says she's going to look for another job,but how long might that take? she can't afford to pay me anything while not working.. without a childminder she can't get a job and without a job she can't pay me

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WallOfSilence · 09/04/2008 11:23

Well, I guess they're there to protect you & the mum if notice was given, but seeing as the mum didn't have much notice & when she did she informed you, I don't think there is much else you can do.

Has the mum talked about looking for another job? Maybe she will pay you half fee until she gets another job?

Original poster
lottiesmummy · 09/04/2008 11:21

To answer WallOfSilence .. I turned another child down to do this so would have had someone else to mind.. they now have someone in place so a no go for me..

by the sound of it the NCMA contracts really arent worth much as if the parents dont have the money to pay the four weeks notice it makes the contract pointless really doesnt it

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sleepycat · 09/04/2008 11:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WallOfSilence · 09/04/2008 11:16

What would you have paid your mortgage with if you hadn't taken this child on 2 weeks ago?

imananny · 09/04/2008 11:13

im with lotties mum - she works as she has to, i really dont know a way round this - sorry (hug)

Original poster
lottiesmummy · 09/04/2008 11:00

The thing is I'm now left with no money to pay my mortgate, which is why most of us work isnt it? to pay the bills... she can go back on benefits I expect untill she finds work, I have nothing.. so unfair, sorry If you don't agree with me but my kids shouldnt have to suffer because of this

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