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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to be furious?

802 replies

havasack · 05/12/2025 07:35

On Thursdays I meet my childminder at the school gates to hand over my 1 year old while I’m picking up my 6 year old.
We had a brief chat and then she said (in front of a few other people) she’d seen we’d been away at the weekend and that ‘maybe I should pay my childcare bill before I book holidays’. Three people turned around and I was bright red in the face. How unprofessional!
For context - payment was due Monday and she’s sent me no reminders which she usually does after 2/3 days then I always pay! I’ve never not paid.

I’m thinking of transferring to a nursery as there may be more professional boundaries in place. She should not have mentioned that in front of others. AIBU?

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 05/12/2025 12:29

You’re out of order. “Only a few days”? What if that was her food shop?

Pay on time.

Pineapplewaves · 05/12/2025 12:31

You are both unreasonable - you for paying four days late and her for saying something about it in public.

It sounds like she was equally furious for not being paid on time, we all count down the days until payday at this time of year.

Rosealea · 05/12/2025 12:32

You don't seem to be embarrassed, you should be

Ohhyes · 05/12/2025 12:33

As a childminder myself this is so frustrating! Would you be annoyed if your employer didn’t pay you and it was 4 days late but he managed a lovely trip away at the weekend but you couldn’t go anywhere as you was waiting to be paid!
this has happened to me before had to cancel taking my daughter to Alton towers as didn’t have the money after I promised I would because someone paid late!
however she shouldn’t have said it in front of people but I suspect she’s pretty cross with you

RobinEllacotStrike · 05/12/2025 12:33

Childminders are brilliant. We had the same childminder for 7 years & my DD's loved her & had a brilliant time with her.

Guess how many times in 7 years she had to chase up payment from me?

Never - not once.

As it should be.

InMyOodie · 05/12/2025 12:36

It's shocking that you see nothing wrong with paying her late and you expect 'reminders'. She should have dumped you long ago.

MummaMummaMumma · 05/12/2025 12:38

If you keep paying late - that means you have not paid on time, so you missed the payment deadline - so you didn't pay. Absolutely she should charge a late payment fee.
She should not send payment reminders.
Would you accept your work not paying you because you didn't remind them? Of course not.
You should be embarrassed.

mrsCtheRed · 05/12/2025 12:39

Sorry OP, but i have to say, you are taking the absolute piss.

neilyoungismyhero · 05/12/2025 12:40

havasack · 05/12/2025 07:39

She threatened to suspend care a few months ago and then she added a £10 a day late fee. So she’s had at least an extra £100 from me that she hasn’t earned at all.

You're having a laugh aren't you? You sound like an entitled rude disrespectful piece of work. Good for her I say she should bin you.

myheadsjustmush · 05/12/2025 12:43

Just pay your childcare bill on the day it is due - and set yourself a reminder in future!

Whilst it was unprofessional for her to call you out in front of others, I can fully understand why she did this if you consistently pay her late. It doesn't matter if it is a few days - late payment is late payment!

JoClogs · 05/12/2025 12:43

pinkstripeycat · 05/12/2025 07:56

It’s called an invoice. They bill you, you pay. Yes?

She's a childminder not a business owner, probably paid a pittance and needs the money to pay for food, electricity and rent.
OP is treating her as less than.
That's unacceptable.

SUPerSaver721 · 05/12/2025 12:43

Set up a direct debit and stop paying her late.

Lemonyyy · 05/12/2025 12:44

I bet you paid for your holiday on time!

sorry op, but you are definitely in the wrong here. Pay people who provide you with a service, promptly when you receive an invoice. It’s not hard. If I was your cm I would’ve stopped care after you’d tried it on a couple of times!

Augustandeverythingafter1 · 05/12/2025 12:44

That was uncalled for but it's not her responsibility to chase for payment.

Ilikechristmas · 05/12/2025 12:46

SHe does earn that late fee, btw. She has to contact you to remind you to pay and then check that you have actually paid. All that is work she has to think about, plan in and execute and its all work she would not have to do if you just set up a DD to pay on time.

BaalSatanas · 05/12/2025 12:48

You are being unreasonable. You pay late. It’s always those with decent incomes that are bad payers, set up a direct debit or at the very least pay on time.

Fionasapples · 05/12/2025 12:51

YABU, she's probably sick of people like you thinking Oh it's just a few days! when it's her livelihood. Pay on time and don't be such a CF! You won't get away with that at a nursery.

Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 05/12/2025 12:57

havasack · 05/12/2025 07:39

She threatened to suspend care a few months ago and then she added a £10 a day late fee. So she’s had at least an extra £100 from me that she hasn’t earned at all.

So you don't pay on time and have paid late by 10 days. You are taking the piss. I dont blame her for outing you in public.

She has tried to be nice, tried a different approach by charging you and you have still acted like an entitled jerk

Pay your bill on time ffs

MsCactus · 05/12/2025 12:58

You really should be paying the day you get the bill! So yes, you're being unreasonable

Cyantist · 05/12/2025 12:58

Is this a reverse? Or just to wind people up. Surely no one can be that entitled that they think it's ok to not pay on time on multiple occasions so the childminder needs to send reminders after 2/3 days.

Mischance · 05/12/2025 12:58

If you felt embarrassed by her bringing it up where she did then the solution is very simple - just pay her on time!

middleagedandinarage · 05/12/2025 13:01

havasack · 05/12/2025 07:37

Only by a few days. She’s acting like it’s weeks.

You're still paying her late doesn't matter if it's a few days or few weeks! Surely after she's sent you one late payment reminder you make sure you pay on time in future! YABU

ThisTicklishFatball · 05/12/2025 13:01

You’re both wrong in your attitudes, with poor communication, frequent misunderstandings, and a lack of follow-through on commitments.

Here’s a tip for anyone reading this: consider using AI platforms to help solve your problems instead of rushing to online forums, where judgment, criticism, or even mockery can happen for no reason. AI platforms offer peace of mind, a judgment-free space, the ability to explore scenarios and theories, find solutions, and provide a variety of other useful functions.

constantnc · 05/12/2025 13:03

havasack · 05/12/2025 07:37

Only by a few days. She’s acting like it’s weeks.

Maybe she had bills to pay.
Pay on time.

lessglittermoremud · 05/12/2025 13:03

Im surprised she continued to look after your little one when you have consistently paid her a few days late.
She shouldn’t have mentioned it in front of others but she must be so fed up, you don’t pay on time and she sees you on holiday!
She can’t pay her mortgage a few days late just because you’ve decided not to pay on time.
The lack of respect you’ve shown her is appalling, she is providing you with service that involves looking after your precious child. You must be happy with her care because otherwise you wouldn’t leave your child with her.
Move to a nursery and they won’t tolerate it at all, quite rightly.
We use a childminder and have done for years, we consider her as part of our extended family due to the bond she has with our children. In 5 years I have NEVER paid her late, your childcare bill is one of the main things to settle first alongside big household bills.

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