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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think childminder should still open in the snow

125 replies

OliviaLondon · 01/03/2018 17:28

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.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 01/03/2018 17:47

There is no way in the world I would pay £70 when she has chosen to close. There is no way she can justify that. Find a new cm pdq, baby will adapt.

vandrew4 · 01/03/2018 17:47

Makes no sense to me. I'm a CM and the weather here is horrific. We're very high up and have 5 foot snow drifts and gale force winds but as I'm just staying inside all day I'm still open. My policy is if you can get to me why wouldn't I have you?
Would of course be different if I was meant to be collecting any children as I can't get down our lane!
did only have one little one today though as no one else could get here and he left early so it's hot chocolate with brandy time.
Personally, I don't think you should pay

MyBrilliantDisguise · 01/03/2018 17:48

But she is open! She's open for the other child.

I think this is an OFSTED matter, to be honest. She shouldn't be allowed to pick and choose and then charge you anyway!

vandrew4 · 01/03/2018 17:49

The only things i can think of are (as pp said) she is over ratios because her own children are home
this wouldn't matter as your own children are always counted in your ratios anyway whether they're at school or not

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 01/03/2018 17:49

I doubt it's because she's over the number of dc she can look after as she'd be having them if they were in school anyway. I think I would be inclined to tell her that I wouldn't be paying, especially as she's still looking after another child.

honeylulu · 01/03/2018 17:49

Oops cross posted. These are not "circumstances beyond her control" that affect the provision of her service so that clause should not engage.
Lazy CF!!!

vandrew4 · 01/03/2018 17:50

I think this is an OFSTED matter, to be honest
I very much disagree with what the CM is doing but it's really not an OFSTED matter

Storminateapot · 01/03/2018 17:51

Feeling that 'there's no point opening' is not a circumstance beyond her control. That's totally in her control. Clearly she doesn't respect your working status. Total pisstake.

WingsofNylon · 01/03/2018 17:53

If remind her that the 'point' of opening is that you have paid her for a service.

This isn't beyond her control, nothing is getting in her way of providing you the service other than the fact that she doesn't feel like it!

What do you think would happen if you just turned up at her door with your child?

Munchyseeds · 01/03/2018 17:55

Circumstances beyond her control would be something like her own home being flooded
No way would I pay for a service not provided....I would just deduct from next bill with a note explaining why, if she kicks off just contact OFSTED

steff13 · 01/03/2018 17:56

If she's watching one kid, she's not closed. If she refuses to take your child, then she needs to refund your money for today.

Twofishfingers · 01/03/2018 17:59

I'm a childminder and open today (I told everybody yesterday that I would be open) but nobody turned up. In your opinion, should I charge? Sorry to highjack.

Prettylovely · 01/03/2018 18:00

Agree with pp shes isnt closed, shes choosing not to look after your child. Dont pay!

underneaththeash · 01/03/2018 18:02

Schools close though as the teachers either can't get in or need to leave early to get home....as a childminder is in her own home that doesn't apply.

I would be raising it with her, I don't think her own contract covers her in these circumstances.

RavenclawRealist · 01/03/2018 18:02

My bet is she has agreed to take in family/friends children and will go over numbers with your baby! Doesn't matter it's not your problem she is open as she's taking another child in so I would be very clear that you are not happy about it and that these are not circumstances outside get control (she can care for 1 child so why not yours?) and you will be deducting one day of next months bill if she chooses not to fulfill her contact tomorrow!

BewareOfDragons · 01/03/2018 18:03

Wow. That's really poor form on CM's part.

So because you don't travel to an office, your work out of your home office isn't as valid or important as the mother who does go to an office?

She's not closed. She's selectively open ... and she didn't select you, even though it's not a matter of staff numbers since it's just her anyway.

I would challenge the payment being required for the day. That's just not on. She just wants an easy day, and you to pay for the privilege by the sounds of it. Very unfair.

Sammymommy · 01/03/2018 18:03

I think she is being cheeky. She is not physically unable to work and her house is safe. Challenge here, she is trying her luck!

toomanykidstocount · 01/03/2018 18:03

My childminder was open today as usual but we only used her for part of our usual contracted hours. I will pay her the full day rate as it was our choice not to stay the whole day. If she was closed we wouldn't need to pay her. Your CM was open but told you not to come so you shouldn't pay

Lashalicious · 01/03/2018 18:04

70 pounds a day??? That is a bunch of craziness!

Pengggwn · 01/03/2018 18:04

I'd be annoyed but I wouldn't uproot my child from a setting she was otherwise perfectly happy in just for this.

BewareOfDragons · 01/03/2018 18:05

I'm a childminder and open today (I told everybody yesterday that I would be open) but nobody turned up. In your opinion, should I charge? Sorry to highjack.

Yes, you can charge the parents. It's a normal 'open day and you have managed to stay open, whether parents took you up on it or not.

tinkywinky2018 · 01/03/2018 18:05

If she is open for one child then she is open, so you can send your child. If she won't accept, she doesn't get paid. She can't have it both ways.

Rikalaily · 01/03/2018 18:07

She's not closed as she has the other child, so tell her she's not being paid for that day. She can't pick and chose which kids she's having then charge for all!

hibbledibble · 01/03/2018 18:07

I have heard of CMS charging significantly over 70/day in London (many have a 3 figure daily rate!)

But yes, totally rediculous to open for another child and not for yours.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 01/03/2018 18:10

I think she is taking the mickey, but unfortunately you may just have to grin and bear it, and be glad snow is rare.