Childminder wants to close at 1pm for the rest of the week

[SweatySpider321]

Woke to a text from my childminder, announcing due to the weather we need to try to collect our children at 1pm for the rest of the week -530pm is the usual finish time. I’m not even a week into a new job and my husband has no leave left (mainly due to covering her annual leave). It’s not in our contract and it’s funded hours we use with her

Then we wonder why productivity is going down the toilet in the UK

Ask her why she can't just get paddling pool and water play out in the shade, or keep the kids inside with a fan on and cold drinks? That's what everyone else will do. Otherwise it's not "safe" for them to be at home either, surely.

Not that l can see. Her house is similar to our house and no big issues

I'd also look for another childminder to be honest, if you think she's going to cop out over summer too.

I know right. It’s meant to be a hot summer but life still goes on. My ICU nurse friend is still going to work

I'd be looking for a new childminder. She sounds incompetent and useless.

How daft that anyone would think it's even remotely OK to drop everything, let people down, and sit in the garden all afternoon 'with a bottle of wine!'. Most people can't just stop work and do this. 🙄And who the F drinks alcohol in this heat?!

Why can she not take the children into the garden?

What a joke. She needs to provide the service she's contracted to do. As for the schools, also what a joke. I think it should be optional on those days but most parents have to work!!! Often these days to just survive and be able to feed their kids. I don't work , I don't get paid. I'm sure my mortgage company would be sympathetic at the end of the month if I don't have the funds.. not.

32? Do not the high 35-38 we’re seeing in my area? No excuse to shut at 32, it’s not that unusual. It’s going to be 36+ where I am tomorrow and my DCs school and nursery aren’t shutting and after school activities still on.

It's unlikely to be this hot all summer, is it?

We've had to close nursery at 1pm but when I was a childminder we did a lot better because I could keep the children calm and cool more easily.

not much you can do really but show work the message and explain you need to finish early this week.

Be glad your child isn't at school, they are all closing full stop for the next 2 days where I am.

I won’t be showing work the message no. It’s the start of a new job, it’s not solely my responsibility, l will either have to not be paid or make up the time (lm not in a position to do them either). Plus l can’t ditch a lot of appointments at such short notice without a real reason -it’s hot isn’t a real reason

None of the schools are closing here. It’s going to be hot here but not very hot like in other places

Your husband should take dependent's leave since you're a week into a new job.

Go into work as normal then say child is sick?
Really tricky situation for you and I’d be looking for a more reliable minder as a priority.

Edited to say better if husband can do this or get dependents leave as mentioned above.

Not my area of specialty so lm not sure. But it’s only June so there may be some hot weeks or fortnights in July and August to come

Really? She offers a home from home environment I’m guessing, so there’s logic in sending children home to be in their own homes? I can understand schools and businesses but it’s a bit of a joke. Bet if you told her you’d only pay her half a day she’d soon change her tune!

She is having a bloody laugh at 32 degrees. She is also taking the piss unless she lives in a metal caravan.

“Sorry, we can’t”.

There you go

I wouldnt be happy to lie to my work place and husband will point blank refuse to lie

My mum was a childminder. She bought a portable air conditioning unit as part of her business - so she could keep the rooms she used at a safe and comfortable temperature whilst still providing the service being paid for.

I’d be telling her no, she is being paid and she needs to manage this as it will be a hot summer.

That probably won’t be paid either. Plus once it’s used up it’s gone, it should be used for something illness / accidents not my childminder feels a bit sweaty. Plus his manager may well ask why it’s for just the afternoon

This also means cancelled appointments and letting people down.

Parents mostly don't pay anything any more. My LA are still paying funding to settings deciding to close early during the heatwave.

Keeping multiple small children safe in a hot house when there is a red risk to life warning is a big responsibility and if she doesn't feel it's safe then she's right to close.

She lives in a standard brick built house with a garden

Strange that anyone thinks they can 'say no' to a business closing.