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Original poster

Childminder let me down by text!

36 replies

pippylongstockings · 27/11/2008 14:42

Hi

Just wanted some perspective on this. My kids have been off from their CM this week after getting pink eye there on Mon, they were due to go back tomorrow.

I have just got a text from my CM saying "Hi I'm gonna have to miss tomorrow as I'm away vistin my aunt in hospital she's unwell sorry to inconvience you. As usual on monday"

I am really cross.

Why could she not have rung me earlier to let me know ? Why couldn't she arrange to visit tomorrow once I pick the kids up - I could have pick them up early if she had asked. I know I don't know the full story but I have tried to ring and it just goes straight to a/p.

I feel like getting a nanny in for the day and billing my CM for the cost. I can't take any more time off work without serious eye-brow raising by my boss.

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dmo · 27/11/2008 18:56

The kids have been there for over a year and she was by far the best CM in the area out of the 5 I visited. My DH has never been overly happy with her as he feels she is too familar with the kids and us, and does too much with them - but to me those are her good points that they are part of her family.

what does this mean? what is too much?

popperdoodles · 27/11/2008 18:55

I don't think communicating by text is a problem. I quite often do with my parents and they text me also. Texts I can answer when I get a spare min, phone calls seem to always happen when I'm in the middle of something but I tend to go with whatever form of communication the parents want. I don't think your cm has handled this very well but there maybe a genuine reason for everything whilst you are right to be cross is it worth removing children? If no other concerns i would say give her benefit of the doubt.

TheOtherMaryPoppinsFleckles · 27/11/2008 17:34

I think if this was the first time you've been upset to give benefit of the doubt, as you rightly say you don't know the whole story, one would assume this aunt lives far away and also that it is probably serious.

Maybe she didn't get chance to call as at the hospital already, or maybe she was afraid of getting upset on the phone?

These things happen and with the best will in the world, sometimes we do have to cancel at short notice, you cannot plan for illness regardless of what contracts might say.

Blondeshavemorefun · 27/11/2008 16:53

she texted you as she knew she was wrong - texts can go astray - i would be tempted to turn up there with children and leave them there

assume you have a contract, and what does it say for time off/how much notice she has to give you

do i read it that your children caught pink eye from her/other charges?

i would be very pissed off with this

and yes i would say you are in your rights to bill her for a temp nanny

bozza · 27/11/2008 16:49

sounds very unprofessional to me.

mosschops30 · 27/11/2008 16:31

if youre CM is paid and contracted to have your kids tomorrow then I would say something. My CM would never plan to do personal stuff when she was supposed to have ds regardless of whether he'd been sick, she shouldve rung and asked you.

overweightnoverdrawn · 27/11/2008 16:28

It was better for her to text as she knew you would be annoyed by your voice .she knew she was wrong .
My DH has never been overly happy with her as he feels she is too familar with the kids and us, and does too much with them . What planet is he on .

thenewme · 27/11/2008 16:12

A year is a long time. There could have been much better childminders registered now.

babylovesmilk · 27/11/2008 15:49

I would'nt have an issue with texting as a means of communicating. But, can't she visit her aunt in her own time?

Original poster
pippylongstockings · 27/11/2008 15:03

Hmmm - that's kind of how I feel but I don't want to cut of my nose to spite my face.

The kids have been there for over a year and she was by far the best CM in the area out of the 5 I visited. My DH has never been overly happy with her as he feels she is too familar with the kids and us, and does too much with them - but to me those are her good points that they are part of her family.

I have texted her back to say sorry to hear of her problems and I will try and sort something out but that is very difficult and can she call me.

OP posts:
thenewme · 27/11/2008 14:48

My feeling ie she has texted you as she knows she is in the wrong.

I would be looking for alternative child care, not so much that she has cancelled a day but that she didn't have the good grace to phone you.

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