I'm a serial name changer, but have been a Mumsnet user for a good while (penis beaker, cutted up pear, have you cancelled the cheque?)
I think I have pissed off my DC1's ex childminder but I don't think I have acted unreasonably. But what does Mumsnet think?
My toddler DC1 left the childminder earlier this year, in order to attend a nursery school setting. Multiple factors in this decision.
I also have a baby DC2. When DC1 left the setting, I told the childminder that we currently planned to send DC2 to her setting, provided she had spaces available when the time came (there was a large gap between DC1 leaving and DC2 needing to start). However I also made it clear we'd put DC2 onto a waiting list for a local nursery so we had two options, and under no circumstances did I expect childminder to keep a space open for us if she had other paying mindees that needed the hours in the meantime. I also indicated we would be keen to use childminder for school holiday care when DCs were eventually at school. I communicated this verbally and in writing.
Roll on a few weeks ago and we have just accepted a nursery place for DC2. Not a decision taken lightly, but mainly due to somes changes in circumstances and some factors we hadn't fully considered at the point DC1 left childminder.
Anyway, I communicated the change in our circumstances to the childminder as soon as the decision was made. I also reiterated that we'd still be very interested in future school holiday care if she had spaces when the time comes. The message also had some other details in, requiring a response.
There has been no reply to the communication for a number of weeks (it was definitely received!) which is very unlike her. So I am assuming that this decision has pissed her off. I guess she's entitled to feel that way, but did I act unreasonably? I hate the idea of upsetting anyone, but I feel I was as clear and upfront as possible when DC1 left the setting.