AIBU to be a bit put out??

12 replies

MrsWarleggan · 28/08/2020 10:47

Returned to work from maternity April 1st. My days are Mon Wed's Fri and needed a CM for Wed's 7am-5pm. Found a lovely lady and she said whilst she could do Wed's at the time, she would need to swap to a Tues as of September as she has a new kid signed up for Sept. I said that shouldn't be too much of an issue with work and agreed.

Since then covid has happened and what with being a key worker she could still go and eldest DD go to school, so reduced hours to 8.30-3.30 so I could also do school drop off and pick up. During this time she said the boy who was due to start Sept is no longer joining her so we could keep to Wed's. Yay. No mucking about at work. She text me on Monday saying she was sorting Sept out and wanted to confirm that I wanted the Tuesday still on the reduced hours. I said no as we had previously agreed that when things are back to relative normality in Sept she would be doing the full day as agreed initially and that she was sticking to the Wed's as she had told me she could (she's awfully forgetful). She said "Oh yes of course, sorry forgot!" It was all agreed. Done and boss was informed that I would be keeping the same days.

I've just had a text message saying that she has had an enquiry from another parent for a 3 day week which would include a Wed's and that I would now have move to Tues so that she could have the new kid. If I don't move she can't have him due to numbers!

AIBU to be pissed off that I am having to rearrange my working hours so that she can make more money despite us agreeing to stick to the Wed's?

OP posts:

Florencex · 28/08/2020 10:55

Yes that is a bit annoying, but hopefully you can sort it with work.

heartonastring · 28/08/2020 11:06

From your perspective, I think it's rude and inconvenient. I understand how you feel.
I guess from your childminders perspective she has to make a living and 3 days can provide that more than one but I would handle it better than she has. I don't think she has thought about how she is coming across. This would put me off too.

Gizlotsmum · 28/08/2020 11:10

I would imagine that as you had previously offered to switch days she didn't see it as a big issue to ask.

RedskyAtnight · 28/08/2020 11:14

I think this is unfortunately something that happens within childcare - your childcare provider will prioritise the customer who can provide them with most work. It's even more the case currently due to some taking limited numbers.

Hardbackwriter · 28/08/2020 11:15

I think she's not being fundamentally unreasonable, but she's handled it really poorly.

Suzi888 · 28/08/2020 11:15

It’s annoying but I don’t think much you can do apart from slap a smile on and try and clear it with work.

OliviaBenson · 28/08/2020 11:18

Hmmm I'd be well annoyed by this. Just say that you agreed that you could now have the weds given the 1st person wasn't taking up that space and that you are unable to now change your work pattern at this late stage. It's her problem to sort, it's the other person she should be telling she can't take on the weds due to numbers and not you!

She sounds rather flakey though, is she going to be this bad in the future? It might be worth cutting your losses and finding someone else.

Hardbackwriter · 28/08/2020 11:21

The problem is that she may then decide she wants the new child for three days a week rather than OP's DC for one, and then it is very much OP's problem to sort. That's always an issue with wanting childcare v part time, a childminder isn't going to (and can't be expected to) leave herself with empty slots on other days to keep your child's place.

Love51 · 28/08/2020 11:21

If you can't change days, tell her you want to stick to Wednesday as agreed.
She can always ask the other family to change days.
I've used a childminder for 8 years. She always prioritises existing clients. She's done me dozens of 'favours' over the years. I always try to reciprocate, because it is the most important relationship we have outside of the family.

Original poster

MrsWarleggan · 28/08/2020 11:28

Thanks all for your thoughts. She is possibly the dappiest most forgetful person I have ever come across, but LO loves her. I call her Dory... Not to her face though!! Also CMs with availability are in very short supply where I am so I'm a bit stuck!

OP posts:

Choppedupapple · 28/08/2020 11:36

I think I would word it that you will have to approach your boss to change days, it’s not a given that you can. You made it sound easy initially so she probs doesn’t realise the issue

Penguinnn · 28/08/2020 11:41

No why should you move? Stuck to your days. Say sorry that doesn’t work for me.

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