To think childminder should still open in the snow

[OliviaLondon]

Am I being unreasonable to think this is shit? Childminder announced she was closing early today due to bad weather conditions - there’s a few cm of snow outside. She has told me she is only open for one child whose mum has to go to work. I work from home so have been informed that I can’t send my child in but the day is still paid for as usual. She doesn’t rely on other staff; there’s no risk travelling to get to / from her house as roads are safe / gritted. Why can’t she open? She says there’s no point opening as the other kids she has are all in the PM and as local schools are shut she doesn’t have these school kids tomo.

Totally up to her. It’s also totally up to you whether you continue to use her.

Why can’t she open?

Why don’t you ask her that? How can we possibly know her reasoning?

She is being ridiculous
And not being very business minded
Find a new one

I struggle to think on what basis she can charge you when she is choosing not to open.

It's a bit ridiculous considering she doesn't have to go anywhere! I'd be pissed off, too.

That's completely rubbish. Have you already paid for this day or she saying you will still have to pay when your bill is due?

If she chooses to close - then she is not providing the service - therefore I would not be paying her for that day!

Why is your work not as valid as the other mum?
And why is she charging you?

Georgie - I was wondering if there was some strange Health Safety reason I wasn’t aware of. I did ask her...She says there’s no point opening as the other kids she has are all in the PM and as local schools are shut she doesn’t have these school kids tomo.

It is ridiculous if she doesn't have to go anywhere, though does she have her own children home from school that would put her over her ratios? It doesn't sound like it from your OP though.

And how can she charge if she is not available for work? You can't charge for a service you don't provide! She is being very cheeky.

I don't see how she can justify making you pay? Hardly your problem if your child is the only one there. She doesn't provide the service, you don't have to pay...

I would not be paying in this circumstance. Fucking outrageous because you WFH and charging you too

I'd be tempted to phone her and say you will be needing her tomorrow and you will see her at normal time

Apparently it’s in the contract. We still pay if she can’t open due to circumstances beyond her control. I thought this would be something like a tree falling on her roof!

Baby has just settled with her and finding a good CM round here is hard! So I guess we are stuck with her for the time being.

My childminder isn’t doing the school run which is fair enough but still open . I wouldn’t be paying for it if she has chosen to shut .

My son is the only one at the childminders today as the five others chose not to go in.

Great duck - yup, we pay a month in advance. Only £70 a day tho! Ha!

She is completely out of order. She is basically saying she can't be bothered to look after your child as she isn't having others and would rather have a day off! Ask her if she is taking a day's holiday in view of the fact that she isn't having many children. If so then that is not closing due to circumstances beyond her control and you should not be paying.

It's not a circumstance beyond her control though surely? She's not been flooded or such like, she could still look after the children who aren't at school.

I’m a cm and you should defo not have to pay if she’s closing unless it specifically says otherwise in the contract (doubtful)

£70 a day! Crikey! I'm assuming you're in London?

If she is opening for one child then she isn't closing due to circumstances beyond her control. I would insist on either care or a refund.

Sounds ridiculous especially as she is "open" for one client but discriminating against you. She doesn't have to travel so the weather should not affect her service. Sounds like the lazy mare just fancies an easy day but with your money in her pocket.

The only things i can think of are (as pp said) she is over ratios because her own children are home. But I'm a bit hmmmm about that if she insists on being paid because effectively you're paying for her to look after her own children!!!

Secondly if there is an adverse weather clause in her terms and conditions which you previously agreed then it might just be tough. (Still unfair though. )

Most schools near me are closed. Some chose to close at 1pm today with very little notice, thankfully the parents collected they're little ones. I collected the preschoolers early after using my noggin and seeing that the weather will be getting much worse. Now I'm open tomorrow but will not be doing school runs should the schools be open due to health and safety of everyone so there will be some disgruntled parents but I simply cannot and will not put others in danger. My day tomorrow will consist of lots of shovelling at 6am ready for the first mindee to arrive followed by lots of mopping up and snow play.
If your minder wants to close that's her right but she shouldn't charge, I wouldn't I chose to close.

If she can take one child, she can take yours, I'd certainly refuse to pay!