To not pay this childminding bill

[Ellie6578]

My one year old goes to a childminder 4 days a week whilst I'm working since October last year, I've had no issues so far.

My dd visits her dad for 2 weeks every 6 weeks, so she doesn't go to the childminder during these times (he lives up north and I'm down south) however I understand that I still have to pay for her missed days in order to secure her place (her dad pays for these 2 weeks of missed time) and that's fine as my contract states I have to pay for 4 days a week even if my dd doesn't attend.

She came back this week after only 4 days of being with her dad unlike the normal 14 days. This was because her dad had to go to Germany for a few days for work and my little girl really would not settle with his mum.

I messaged my childminder and said my dd had come home early and would she be able to have her tomorrow as normal. My childminder stated she could not have her for another 4 days as she had taken in another child for childcare which took up my daughters space. Ok I thought, my mum took time off work to look after her.

I got the invoice yesterday and I've been charged for those 4 days even though I was told my daughter couldn't go in because she had filled her space! So if I paid for it, the Childminder's earning double for half the work. Aibu not to pay for those 4 days?!

I have to be honest I hate these childminders. They ought to have tons of certificates to back them up but they are money making scavengers

Ignorance is bliss I suppose!

Maybe read up on exactly what certificates we have to have and what training we have to do and what hoops we have to jump through before you show it though?

I'm an Ofsted registered child minder and wouldn't have charged op.
I get 5 weeks paid holiday as was recommended by Pacey (formerly NCMA). In over 25 years I've never had a parent query this. However, I don't charge if I'm unavailable outside of this holiday or if I'm sick. (You'll find most Cm's pretty healthy as a result!)
Minders I know go the extra mile to accommodate parents needs and if I can help then I will. We work long hours and I know I am valued by my parents because of how they treat me and how they choose to use my services for their growing families.
Some minders will say , my business my rules but in reality we are required to work in partnership with parents and I pride myself on having very good relationships with parents based on MUTUAL respect!

Well said Willow2017

Don't pay. Think about another minder. If someone steals, they cheat, if they cheat, they lie. She lied bc that spot was to reserve your space and she didnt reserve it. She inconvenienced you and gouged money by collecting double. She is a baf hat with cajones.

BAD hat. I can't believe i hit post!

So you've paid (will pay/been charged for) 4 days in order to hold the space for your dd, but cm has not held the space.

I wonder what world she lives in. It's not this one!

totolouise Mine is more than double than in the South!
So you are saying that if your childminder minds three children, he/she is getting 25 pounds per hour, 200 pounds per day (and I would assume that some parents actually have to leave their children for more hours), 1000 pounds per week and over 40 000 pounds per annum.

And, yes, I know that the CM would have expenses, but wouldn't they be a tax deduction?

Overall, a nice little earner.

Come back OP. What is the outcome?

My opinion is hunt for a new childminder. She shouldn't have charged you when unable to provide care due to her own actions. Like Skitty said, I wouldn't go in all guns blazing, but my goal would be not to pay for those days.

As a teacher, I paid half fees during holidays. If I ever needed care in the hols and my childminder could accommodate, I just topped up the fees with the other half per day but I understood that I was paying to ensure I had a space in term time. If I was paying full fees, I'd expect to be able to use that space when I needed it.

YANBU you paid for the space, it's yours to use or not use as required! If she filled it without informing you first she's stealing. I'm surprised she wasn't embarrassed to have been found out!

You are very entitled to a refund!

Not acceptable! You pay for her place when she doesn't attend. The childminder should be keeping her place open.

IClavdivs- 'nice little earner'? It's simply working. And hard work at that. Do you think because it's thought of as women's work it shouldn't be paid properly?

Hi,
Query it, she may take it off. Then pay her whatever the outcome.
It is unreasonable BUT don't lose a good childminder over it.

Maireadplastic - Obviously women caring for others children are just doing it for a bit of pin money and as it's not a 'proper job' they have no right to be 'nice little earners'

That said OP, YANBU. She was paid to hold the spot for you, not a retainer.

I am not trying to justify the cm actions. Just a thought. On the bank holiday morning, lol 😂 as a single parent the op is entitled to about 70 percent off her childcare which is paid weekly in to her account. I don't know for sure about this exact case of course, but this is how it is usually. So maybe for this reason cm is billing the OP? Still does not look right to me, but I had so many parents who would claim the money and then pocket them once I go on holidays ( as I am not asking to be paid when I am absent)

As a single parent she is entitled to 70% off her childcare - bollocks, she may be but that is due to earnings not being a single parent. As a single mother who pays for childcare and gets no tax credits or maintenance this assumption pisses me right off.

Gravitas

Ops financial situation is nothing at all to do with the cm.

OP may not get any help with childcare at all.
When I was nursing years ago I got £30 a month towards my childcare. Childcare was 10 times that amount. I was working for £20 a month after travel expenses and child care.

You have to be earning a very low income to get 70% off your childcare, it isn't just free money for single parents!

You're completely in the right. She can't double bill. Tell her you have paid for those days and you expect her to have your daughter

@gravitsap the working tax credits would not accept a change in circumstances for 1 week. It is about average earnings. If you rang up and said my childminders on holiday I need to hand back my WTC and CTC they would refuse. So before you go shooting your mouth off about your clients at least get your facts straight. I'd hate a childminder like you!

Even if your clients are earning little enough to get up to 70%, there is a cap on that - if childcare costs are more than £175 per week for one child then you still only get up to 70% of £175.

Gravit, single parents do not automatically get government money! As a single parent I got fuck all (I wouldn't have even got child benefit had the rules been introduced earlier). Its frustrating when people assume single mothers live off benefits.

Not sure this is legal.
You can take it to the Tax Credits office and they will give you an answer

I get zero tax credits. Don't get anything

Im not on benifits, work and a widow with 2 small children