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.

The argumemt in your contract doesnt stand up. There are not any circumstances 'beyond her control' she has 'chosen' to close early tell her to argue it im court if she wants paid

As a cm this type of thing is what gives the rest of us a bad name. I have a day i only have one child...maybe i should close early that day every week?

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. They’ve chosen not to use the service you’re providing. I expect to pay for the sessions I’ve booked whether I use them or not at after-school club.

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.

^^ this

She is in breach of contract. You obviously don't need to pay her for that day.

Could it be with her own children it affects her ratios?

She's either open or closed.
She can't be both unless she's Schroedinger's Childminder

I wonder if she's playing a game here? Say she can't do it and will charge you, you complain you shouldn't have to pay, she 'relents', you don't have to pay, you're grateful.
Except your child isn't looked after as per the point of a cm.

It's nonsense like this that gives childminders a bad name! Mine once had another childminder (who all the children know) working from her house when the other minders heating had broken - they share a work ethic that they need to do a job and don't let parents down.

I'd be looking for someone more grown up and decent. Baby will be fine.

Find a new one and don't pay her for that day. If she is refusing to work then you don't pay for a service you didn't receive. She isn't losing money holding the place for your child because another child couldn't go anyway. Don't pay.

To clarify - she doesn’t have any of her own children... so there’s no question of ratio’s etc.
She’s usually quite lovely so it seems out of character. Think she just fancies an easy day TBH.

You need to talk to her to find out exactly why she's only partially open/closed and why you're still being charged for a service she was unable to provide (check your contract carefully as CMs set their own T&C with regard to what they charge for). Explain that you're not happy about it and why. See if you can agree a way forward so that this issue doesn't become an awkward 'thing' between you especially if you're otherwise happy with the care she's providing. 90% of CM issues can be resolved by talking it over.

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

If a parent took it upon themselves to deduct money from their bill, rightly or wrongly, without discussing it with me first then I'd be handing them their notice. This is awful advice.

FYI, it is not an OFSTED issue. It is a contractual issue and OFSTED would have no interest in it.

Don't pay her. She's not closed as she's got another child there, think you're right and she wants an easy day.

Another childminder here. She's being very unfair charging you. Especially if she's open to another child. She's basically open but refusing to provide care to your child as contracted, then charging you for the privilege!

Unfortunately some childminders get a bee in their bonnet about parents sending their kids when they're at home. There have been some daft cows moaning about that on the Facebook childminder page I'm on. They want an easy day but rather than admit that to themselves they moan about their customers using a service they've already paid for.

I have no idea how you handle it though. Perhaps send an email to clarify the position: 'can I just clarify that you are open and providing a childcare service to child x but are unwilling to provide childcare as contracted to my child? And that there will still be a charge for this?'. Perhaps spelling it out baldly will shame her into behaving decently. Other than that just refuse to pay her for that day.

She is really cheeky especially demanding money when not prepared to do the childcare. I'd find somebody else. And I don't see why snow should affect her as the children are being brought to her house and collected. I don't see why she can look after one child but not your child. She''s got an absolute nerve IMHO.

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

No its not. Ofsted are not interested in contractual issues. Its not thier job remit.

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 charge if its in your contract that parents pay if they dont use contracted days. No problem there.

You should NOT have to pay!! Wtf

Oh my god 70 a day ,
When I child minded I opened, just told them to take there time .If I took the decision to close, the parents didn't pay at all , same when I took holidays .
Childminding is alot cheaper where I am I was charging 26 a day and I was dear due to qualification and experience.

I gave it up after my 2nd as id lost 2 fulltime places with my own and it wouldnt pay me for the hours

If there is a red alert in your area and people are being advised not to use the roads then No she is not being unreasonable.

But she is taking in another of her regulars, Mishappening. And she doesn't have to leave her own house, so why would a red alert mean she couldn't work?

mishappening but the CM isn't travelling. She just needs to make it from her living room to the front door so why would the weather affect whether she takes in children or not?

Aunt Lydia I think we are on the same page!

I have been open all week, some parents have sent children others haven't. All fine, bit all still charged. I've even had the after-school children for a couple of hours through the day to help parents out.

Text to clarify, point out that you are working and need care (though if you are paying for the space you shouldn't have to) and no it's definitely or an Ofsted matter.

Do some CM have bees in their bonnets about parents who work from home? Do they think it's not real work or what?

I'm a childminder and I've worked today. The schools are shut so I even offered my after school children the option of coming in during the day for their hours.
If the child can be safely delivered to and collected from my home I'll look after them because I am still charging my usual fees.
I would only expect a childminder to close during bad weather for something like no heating. If I closed for any reason other than prearranged holiday, I would not charge.