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How to deal with childminder claiming children are sick

83 replies

BernardButlersBra · 19/11/2025 17:47

Started with a childminder a while back, children have not done a full month in this time as she keeps on messaging asking for us to pick them up as they are "ill". This isn't their first childcare provider and are toddlers now, so it isn't the "we've just started going to childcare and we catch everything going" phase. Plus we have a clear understanding of whether they are sick or not e.g. today it was because they were coughing and another child had an upset stomach the other day.

Husband and l have used up all of our emergency leave and annual leave, yesterday she decided she wasn't having them back for the rest of the week. So we have had to take unpaid leave. Currently tempted to take them to the doctors but obviously that is a waste of NHS resources as they are fine or turn out with a thermometer every time we get summoned.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BernardButlersBra · 19/11/2025 18:12

NuffSaidSam · 19/11/2025 18:10

Sorry... she asked you to pick your child up early because another child had an upset stomach?!

Yep. We were polite and resisted the urge to say “and that’s my problem how?!”

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 19/11/2025 18:10

BernardButlersBra · 19/11/2025 18:06

It’s not my child who had the upset stomach -it was a totally different child.

Sorry... she asked you to pick your child up early because another child had an upset stomach?!

Nickyknackered · 19/11/2025 18:10

BernardButlersBra · 19/11/2025 18:07

@Ibizaonmymind plus assuming they were ill, then how does she know they would be ill the rest of the week?!

Certain illnesses require children to stay at home for X number of days after.

Cantseetreesforthewood · 19/11/2025 18:09

If you think the kids are well, your childminder is taking the piss, and you need a new one.

If the kids are actually ill, you will just have to keep juggling the leave.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 19/11/2025 18:09

Did they have a fever?

BernardButlersBra · 19/11/2025 18:07

@Ibizaonmymind plus assuming they were ill, then how does she know they would be ill the rest of the week?!

OP posts:
BernardButlersBra · 19/11/2025 18:06

Ibizaonmymind · 19/11/2025 18:03

If the child had an upset stomach that seems fair enough. Did the other child have a cough or other symptoms.

It sounds like they actually were unwell and not just your childminder claiming this but you haven’t given much detail.

They can’t be responsible for you not having enough leave to cover sickness but if you genuinely feel they’re being inflexible or fobbing you off then you can challenge that or try and move them.

It’s not my child who had the upset stomach -it was a totally different child.

OP posts:
Ibizaonmymind · 19/11/2025 18:03

If the child had an upset stomach that seems fair enough. Did the other child have a cough or other symptoms.

It sounds like they actually were unwell and not just your childminder claiming this but you haven’t given much detail.

They can’t be responsible for you not having enough leave to cover sickness but if you genuinely feel they’re being inflexible or fobbing you off then you can challenge that or try and move them.

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