To be really pissed off at childminder friend?

[OopsDearyMe]

In Jan I organised for my DC to be looked after three days a week by a local childminders who is also a school run friend. All was ready to go, but she all of a sudden decided she was stopping childminding altogether and changing career. She apologised that she was unable after all to have mine.
Since then I have seen her still doing the childminding and in the last couple of weeks has now got more children than ever on her books !!!

I have been unable to find anyone else and am currently having to struggle to manage, she knows that.

Aibu to think she should of got back in contact with me, if she was carrying on, esp as she knows how hard I'm having it!

Just ask her.
There are loads of reasons she could have done this. You don't know who those children are- they might be short term only children, and so she has taken them on for a month or so and the contract will be ending the same time as she planned to start her new career. They could be friend's children, or adhoc care, that she is only looking after to bridge the gap between that and her new career. They could be children that she normally has who have recently changed their hours and so now accompany her on the school run.
I really don't understand why you're annoyed without even speaking to her first. It is entirely plausible that she is still quitting and didn't want you to go through the stress of settling your child only for her to give up. She could be waiting on a job offer etc, so still has to work until one comes up.
It could also be that she has changed her mind, and doesn't realise the situation you are in.
Or, she may just not want to look after your children.
YABU to be 'really pissed off' but not even have spoken to her.

She was unprofessional, she said she could take your child then dumped you in it at the last minute. She should have said no in the first place if she couldn't do it or didn't want to do it.

and can I just say, if I saved a space for every child of a friend who briefly mentions me looking after their children I'd be oversubscribed by about 200 children.

Either she decided she didn't want to work with you as a family and took the easy way out or she had a better offer.

Is it possible, for example, that the new children are term time only or only there for a shorter day than you required? Many cm don't like early starts and late finishes. There has to be some reason but frankly, does it really matter since you clearly aren't going to be using her.

It sucks but that's life. I second calling the council for a list of cm with vacancies. Also try putting up a notice at school and your local children's centres etc. And, of course, put the word out, especially amongst people who use cm as they probably like to have a family recommended to them.

I am thinking the same about her just not wanting to do it, but she CMs lots of people we both know, so doubt bits the friends thing, I wouldnt think its the kids as they are all very good generally and nor SPIRITED lol.
I don't know it is odd and not like her at all , shes a very honest and straight talker i am now wondering if its me or someone put her off the idea. Either that or the career change idea was unworkable and she's embarrassed about that.
At least I'm not the only one who'd be annoyed tho.

Maybe she doesn't like your kids?

I think she's embaressed. I would be pissed off too op. And I was a cm. it's not the way to get clients.

I'd think the best way to get clients is by being a great carer to the children you mind.

The business side is often secondary in the decision process.

I'd choose a slightly flaky but great carer for my dc above someone who stuck to an unworkable agreement just so as people didn't speak ill of them.