...fed up at having to pay childminder full

[Tinkerbellone]

My child minder stopped working two weeks ago because of worries about corona virus.
She or her partner have no health conditions.
I am a key worker.
She always charges half rate over school holidays even though she doesn't have my children.
She is still charging me Full Rate even though she not working or having my children at all.
I know she has a business to run, but this doesn't seem fair to me; I could understand half pay.
As a single parent I'm struggling to get my children to and from school now. I'm relying on friends and/or my children walking on their own after I've left for work in the morning they are 11 & 8.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Not fair at all.

We’re asking parents for 25% voluntary

She’ll
Claim the 80% come June will you get a refund then?

She’s being unreasonable.

Why isn’t she open for key worker children?

She said that all her parents are key workers and she doesn't want to risk the virus coming into her home.
Which I understand.
I just don't understand the full pay

Seems very unfair. I'd be tempted to give her notice.

You could stop paying but you'll lose your place. That's what I've done. I decided I'm not losing that much money when I've taken a pay cut myself, so taken my chances and cancelled my place.

My childminder is open for key worker children. I think I wouldn’t pay if she wasn’t open, as she had chosen to close herself. Other childcare settings are still open for childcare for key worker children.

For example if I am in employed work and am healthy and chose not to attend as I felt it was risky to my health, but my boss wants me in, I wouldn’t get paid at all as I am choosing not to attend (whether or not I feel it is a risk to work). otherwise I have to go to work to get paid. Your childminder should be the same.

Just serve notice.

Look for a new CM .

Don't pay her

If she has voluntarily shut you shouldn't pay her. If you decided to stay off work for no reason you would presumably not get paid either.

She has chosen not to be available to you, despite the fact she could stay open. It is reasonable for her to do this in the circumstances, but it isn’t reasonable to charge you for her choice to do this.

I wouldn’t even give notice - simply don’t pay. She has broken the contract, not you - assuming your contact covers what will happen if she is ill/unable to provide childcare. Are you in touch with any other parents?

Definitely stop paying her.

If she'll keep you place open I wouldn't ask for a refund, otherwise under the Consumer Act 2015 you're entitled to have a refund as she didn't give you a service that you were paying for.

I'm reluctant to give notice. She's been my child minder for 11 years.
She's very good. Always a bit ott (in my opinion) on health and safety and hygiene. Wondering if this is all too much for her?

But it's the school holidays? How can she justify you paying full rate if she usually charges 50% over the holidays?

I would stop paying her and find another CM once this has finished. It is not fair at all - if your DCs weren't school-aged you would have to pay a second childcare provider as well as her which would be impossible. She chose to close which results in her not getting paid.

She’s has withdrawn services, she can’t demand full pay as well.

I would say I am not paying the notice period as I have already paid that since you have been closed.

Sitters are still offering services... I got a an email last week.

She might be very good, but sorry....she’s feeling you at a tough time! Clearly these terms aren’t reasonable. If she gets 80% in June (back paid to March) plus your full payment but still no provision - then she’s actually on the make! This is not what the government support was ever intended to do! I would say that familiarity over the years can sometimes lead people to take the piss. Maybe she thinks she’s got you over a barrel. I’d pay 20% retainer but no more. Please stop paying her in full for nothing!

Other PP is correct. If you decided not to go work would you still get paid? I pay my childminder a small sum per month as she’s only open to key workers. I do this because she’s done a lot for me but it’s not a huge amount. Don’t pay her anymore or tell her you can’t afford it

She cant furlough if she is charging parents.

Depending on the contract she can still charge parents and not furlough.

I think becuase you've been with her 11 years she sees you as a bit of a willing horse to be flogged. Have a look around at what other options are available.

No way should she be expecting to be paid the full rate. She has chosen to close. She will be eligible for financial compensation as a self-employed person.

@BringMeSunshineInMyLife
Is this correct. She's still charging parents but is furloughed?
I'm confused by it all to be honest.

Just to be clear. She has charged me full rate for the last two weeks but half rate for the next two weeks (Easter holidays)

I would talk to the other parents and together calmly challenge her expectations. It's grossly unfair to all of you.

She can apply to the government for 80% of her income like everyone else.

She's scamming you. She's going to get paid by the government. Unless she hasn't been doing her tax properly in which case she's brought it on herself.