To be pissed off with childminder

[Periclement43]

Hi all, first time poster - long time lurker, hoping for some advice on what to do about this.

DC has been going to Childminder since I went back to work in July. Other than a few issues recently, things have generally been okay and DC seems happy going there.

Childminder has made an error with emails/invoices and accidentally sent another parents invoice to us. Not only have I seen the parent's address, the daily rate the childminder is charging them is quite a bit less than what we're being charged for DC.

AIBU to be royally pissed off about this?
Childminder is quite expensive as it is and nothing is included, so to see she is charging other parents less has made me really annoyed.

How would you handle this? Would you respond to the email asking why she is charging other parents less, or leave it? I'll add that we're currently on the waiting list for another nursery / childminder which charges the same but everything is included so will hopefully be leaving soon, but I don't think that's the point. Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

@PancakesAndSyrup absolutely could be something to do with that. To break it down ..

She is charging the same hourly rate - 5.50ph

DC goes for 8hrs and we pay £55 for the day (the 8hrs is classed as a full day - so we're being charged for the full 10hrs she initially said she was available)

Other child goes for 8.5hrs (also classed as a full day) but pays 46.75 for the day

As I've already said, I have no intention of 'having it out' in any way & like previous posters have said, it's her business and she can charge what she wants I guess

I would guess a 15% mates rates discount? I get the same from a friend childminder of mine for looking after my child

OB other parent is just paying for 8.5 hours per day. Your paying for 10 hours per day.

Why is she charging you for the full ten hours if you're only using her for eight hours? I'd bring that up because she can't demand that you pay her for hours she is available if you don't need her for those hours.

@FutureDuchessofHastings Yes she can - she can hardly get another child in for just two hours can she?

Nurseries also do this - pay for a full day but it's up to you when you collect your child.

@FutureDuchessofHastings funny thing is I could actually do with the 10hours of care, but was asked to give her a chance to get herself/family/kids etc all sorted given the pandemic and rules etc changing constantly. I was more than happy to do but this, but that was a few months ago now so you're right, I need to have this conversation in person and explain that if we can't get the 10hrs we're paying for then I will only be paying the 8/8.5hrs she is available

It’s none of your business what she charges the other family and why.

You were happy to pay your rate and that’s why your child goes there.

I used to have an arrangement with a neighbour and paid less as I took her child to school every day and karate a couple of times a week.

I meant that kindly op, looks so blunt when I read it back!

@MaLarkinn haha thanks for saying

No bother

Does it say what the hourly rate is or does it say the balance that is due. Without having seen the paperwork, my guess would be that the other kid is entitled to subsidised hours or the parents pay part cash or part childcare vouchers through an employer - which might account for the difference.

No. Do not ask!!!!

The data breach is a different thing...but you've shot yourself in the foot by reading it.

@Periclement43 - she's absolutely taking the Mick there. Charging you for ten hours but telling you to give her a chance to get her own kids/family sorted before allowing you to use them? That is not in. I'd definitely bring that up.
@RaffertyBear - that's not how any childminder I know works. They don't have 'sessions' like nurseries do. A child minder charges by the hour, for the hours they look after your children. Many childminders do an hour before school and three hours after school or whatever. They don't have morning and afternoon sessions at £30 each or whatever. They can't charge for hours they are available but not needed. Otherwise they could say they're available from 6am to 8pm and charge parents for 14 hours a day when all they need is a couple of hours in the morning. If the childminder only wants full time children then they need to only take on full time children. Not take on every child and charge parents for hours they don't need.