Re: Childminder charging for late pick ups

[TheRealMrsHannigan]

DC has been with the same childminder since she was a year old, so 2 and a half years now. In that time we have never been late picking her up, if there has been problems with trains etc, my sister has stepped in and picked her up instead.

DH usually picks up, contracted hours are until 6.30pm (Although he is usually back by 6.10pm), last night however, he was stuck in horrendous traffic jam, I left work as soon as I could, but it meant I was an hour late collecting DC. Childminder charged £10 as per contract terms.

However, what I do feel a bit put out about is the fact we have never been late before, ever. This is the only time I simply have not had anyone else close enough to pick up DC.

Childminder has, on a fair number of occasions, asked for DC to be picked up early ( 5pm or 6pm) so she can attend school plays for her own DC, or appointments etc. I have never deducted money as a result of this, as I assumed there was a bit of give and take and flexibility.

The AIBU is this: Given that I was charged for the one late pick up in two and a half years, would it be unreasonable to therefore, next time she asks for DC to be picked up early for whatever reason, deduct money from the next weeks payment at the £5 per half hour rate she charges for excess hours? Or am I being petty?

I admit I am feeling a little bit stung, as we have always got on so well.

No, you are not being petty.
Your childminder should have deducted the early pick up herself and not charged full fees.

But, what does your contract say regards to the childminder having flexibility in not providing the contracted care, and demand early pick ups?

I wouldn't like it, if you have accommodated her then it's not nice. Next time just reduce her pay when you pick up early at her request

I think it would be fair to ask for a deduction if she wants you to do an early pick up. Charges work both ways.

As long as you phoned to tell her that you would be late then YANBU. It should work both ways.

She should charge you if you're late.
You shouldn't be paying the full rate when she wants you to pick your child up early.

Well, I wouldn't tbh because I wouldn't want to risk a good relationship over something so petty. I think she is being a bit tight being because its the first time, but you were an hour late...in nurseries it can be £15 for every 15 minutes!

I would kind of suck it up... but then give her a really naff regifted Chirstmas present

Quintessential, there is no mention of flexibility. Just the standard stuff about hlidays and sickness, and late payment fees.

You would be being petty, if you let this fester and do not say how you feel, now.

You have a business contract with her, do not make assumptions because you think that you 'get on well with her'.

On the other hand, if you do get on well with her, why haven't you said something?

I think it is unreasonable of the childmilder to charge you the extra in view of the fact you don't get a discount when she requests you to pick up early. And I think £10 excess is a bit steep. However, a good childminder who your child is happy with is worth a lot. And if she is reasonable and reliable in every other way I might think about just ignoring this. I suppose you just have to balance the pros and cons. I still think the minder should not be charging the full amount if she requets you to pick the child up early.

Alldirections, oh yes I rang her as soon as I knew, and text her letting her know how far away I was etc durign the journey.

I'd be annoyed considering how accommodating you've been in the past. In future deduct any early pick ups made at her request.

If she asks you to collect your child early, for personal reasons (not if your child is ill or if you request an early pick up) then she should either refund the fee for those hours or rearrange to provide those hours at another time.

The late fee policy is reasonable though.

Sorry about all the typos. I don't think you can edit on this forum.

Birdsgotafly, I think it's because we get on so well, I felt awkward mentioning it? It is in the contract, so I wouldn't NOT pay her when she has asked for it, and I was late. I guess I thought we were on better terms than we are maybe?

Late fee fine, and if she is consistent and charges everyone from the first time, then it says to me that she's being fair. The early pick ups at her request though should, in the same way, not be charged. Personally, I've had a very flexible childminder and it ended up being woolly and eventually the flexibility was all me giving and we parted company so I prefer to know where I stand, as long as its both ways. That's whats not right here.

You should say something now. Its only fair that fees should be adjusted accordingly in favour of both parties. Tell her that you understand why the charge has been applied and it highlighted the fact that you have yet to adjust the fee you pay when she asks for an earlier collection. Tell her you feel a bit daft for presuming a one off would be tolerated and it serves you right for not checking when the issue had been raised earlier (again back to her requests for early pick ups).

LookatallthesefucksIgive (brilliant username btw!) I think that's probably the best approach thankyou!

I agree with Molehill. It's the lack of knowing where you stand and the lack of clarity here.

I would let it go and not say anything, but then the next time she asks you to collect early, simply say 'I'll deduct this hour from my bill at the end of the week' and do so. You might find if you do this, and it's not working in her favour, that she will suddenly stop issuing late charges

I used to be a childminder - in the circumstances you describe I probably wouldn't have charged the late fee (one of my parents was late a couple of times due to traffic/car breaking down and actually paid me extra even though I didnt want her to!). I only had the late collection fee clause in there to protect me from people taking the mick. However, equally if I needed to finish earlier for personal reasons I used to adjust the bill the next month accordingly - wouldn't have charged for not working.

I think approaching her is probably the wisest move. Or if you are (like me) a bit of a chicken when it comes to stuff like this pay the late collection fee but next time she asks for earlier finish make sure the bill is adjusted to reflect this. Flexibility should work both ways.

TheRealMrsHannigan thanks! Is your username a Friends themed one?

LookatallthesefucksIgive Yes! I love Mike! But most people have associated it with Annie

I used to be a CM and I wouldn't have charged you, given that in the past you have been amenable about picking up early.

As a parent, this would make me inclined not to accommodate her in the future. Next time she asks you to pick up early, say no and insist she sticks to the contracted times. Don't rearrange your lives and work commitments in order to suit her - if she misses out on something she wants to do, then tough shit. She shouldn't have been so petty and unfair here.

If you do decide to pick up early, because of something she wants to do, make clear that you will adjust your payments accordingly.

This is a business relationship - she is not doing you a favour by looking after your child, she gets paid. Remember that, when dealing with her in future, because I think she is taking the piss.

I would have expected the flexibility, and certainly did receive it. However fortunately for me my CM actually said that she would use that time for the occasional times I might be late by 10 or so minutes, so we always knew where we stood. And it was really nice to not have to start worrying when I was stuck on a train which wasn't moving!!!

Karma that's what stung a bit I guess, the fact that in the past I have always tried to be accommodating as I understand she is a parent too, not just a CM, and wants to do things with her own DC and attend events and so on, so I always tried to make sure I could accomodate those times.