Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Am I being unreasonable ?

63 replies

ScotsBird · 21/02/2005 09:41

I am really not sure if I am being unreasonable or not ... on Friday past I bumped into my childminder in the park and she mentioned to me that on Wednesday of this week she had to go to dd1's parents' evening. Apparently she wants to see all of her teachers, and what with getting ready, picking up dd2 from school and getting a cab to dd1's school she wanted me to pick up dd at 2pm. As I run courses at work I am obviously unable to up and leave on days when I am teaching so I mentioned that I couldnt do it, but would see if dh could - he cannot. I phoned her this morning adn she says that she can get one of the other minders to take my dd for the afternoon, but that she will now be over her numbers so will not be insured.

I feel a bit annoyed that a) my childminder didnt let me know about this until 5 days before (at a chance meeting) and b) that she seemed annoyed when I told her that neither dh or I culd pick dd up as early as 2pm.

Am I being unreasonable ?? Please put my mind at rest !!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
ScotsBird · 21/02/2005 13:26

Thanks for replies, think I may have not explained properly ... My minder is going to her dd1's parents evening, not my dd's (mine is only 18mths old!)... sorry for being confusing!

OP posts:
HappyMumof2 · 21/02/2005 11:31

Message withdrawn

RTKangaMummy · 21/02/2005 11:21

I am a mum who is also a childminder

I am professional and try very hard to do a good job

but I am a mum first

Our school does give notice of parents evenings but the last ones dates were changed at short notice, which as it happens worked out more convienent for us.

What are the arrangements if the childminder children are off school with vomiting and diarahea?

Who is your emergancy cover provided by?

Do you have a friend or relative that will take your child?

HappyMumof2 · 21/02/2005 11:02

Message withdrawn

CrazyandConfused · 21/02/2005 10:35

just wanted to say sorry if i got the wrong end of the stick sorry

Uwila · 21/02/2005 10:33

Incidentally, I've just remembered that this same childminder one time needed to go to her kids parent teacher conference. And, the conference was scheduled for before the time I normally picked DD up. She just asked me if it was alright take DD along to the school with her. I of course said it was fine. And it actually meant I picked DD up 30 minutes later that night to allow them time to get back to the house.

Uwila · 21/02/2005 10:31

I would be a lot less calm than you are. That is totally unacceptable behaviour for a childminder. When I had a childminder, she would NEVER have done this. If ever she went on holiday (which of course she did on occassion), she would arrange another childminder, give me all of the relevant paperwork, and offer me an opportunity to meet him/her before the day. My childminder was wonderful, and I always trusted her to find a suitable place for DD when she was unavailable. It worked out fine. I would pay the substitute shildminder the same fee I paid the regular childminder.

You have a contract with thisperson to prefer set hours of care to your shildren. If she can fulfill her job, she should find someone who can... and someone who would be over their numbers is not a suitable replacement in my opinion.

JanH · 21/02/2005 10:00

From a quick reading I think Scotsbird means that the childminder has to go to her own dd's parents' evening, not Scotsbird's...?

MaryP0p1 · 21/02/2005 09:59

It depends how long she's known. If it was your childs parents evening what would you do? Sorry, this maybe against the general trend but as a parent first and then a nanny/childminder/ nursery nurse (depending on my hat)I would always put my own childrens needs first in this situation. If your child was sick what would you do?

As another thought, perhaps she is going because she has concerns about her children, do you really resent her taking time out to do this?

CrazyandConfused · 21/02/2005 09:50

As Vict17 said it's a parents evening, one of the parents should be there, why have kids if you can't make even that amount of time for them,though I do think she should have given you notice, do you not get told by the school when parents evening is? and do you not get given the chance to change the appointment?

Bonkerz · 21/02/2005 09:45

I dont think you are being unreasonable. As a childminder myself i always make sure i give plenty of notice if early finishes are required BUT something like a parents evening i would take my mindee children with me!!! I also tAKE THEM TO THE DENTIST AND DOCTORS TOO!!!

ks · 21/02/2005 09:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

vict17 · 21/02/2005 09:43

I'm confused. Why is your childminder going to your daughter's parents evening or have I read this wrong?!