Childminder query

[FurCoatNoNickers]

My two DC used to attend a childminder one afternoon a week after school. Schools in my area initially closed until the 18th Jan but now due to lockdown are now shut for the foreseeable future. One of my DC has an EHCP and had been attending school throughout and will hopefully continue to do so. The other DC has been home schooled and will continue to be.

I requested that my childminder continue to pick up my DC who has the EHCP and she declined to do so because she decided to only care for the children who do not attend school. So, she put us on half fees.

I've just given her a months notice as there is no point in paying for a service that we can't access and she has come back and said we will need to pay full fees for the notice period. I've never used a childminder before but does this sound correct? Just feels like she's squeezing what she can out of us whilst she still can. She made it clear in her email that she is going to charge us full fee because we have given her notice, it doesn't seem right that we still required her service ( for child with EHCP) and she declined to provide care for her. What does everyone think? I'm pissed off about paying full fee for nothing. I'd be grateful for other people's views.

No experience with this but that really doesn't sound right! If she's refusing to care for your child as planned then you shouldn't be paying her anything. I could understand if you just chose not to send your children that she would then expect payment as that would be your decision but she has decided not to have them

If you were choosing to not send your child in but she was offering to have them then yes, you would be liable to pay, and full pay is likely in the contract terms. However, as she is effectively closed to your child and is not offering the service, then you don't have to pay anything. I would check terms and any updated covid ones, but it's unlikely there is anything saying if I refuse to open to your child you have to pay (it's different if you are the one choosing not to send them).

she declined to do so because she decided to only care for the children who do not attend school it is unlikely to be her decision.

Cms have been told they can only offer the EYFS provision. So under the age of five. They cannot mind anyone outside of the EYFS framework.

But no, you shouldn't pay if she isn't providing her services.

I wouldn't be paying her anything. The half fee is a retainer to keep her service- normally you'd pay it if YOU didn't require the service. You do and she's refusing to do it because she can get more money elsewhere. If you won't be using her after this then tell her to shove it