Childminder closing due to heat..

[doneitagain12]

Hello!

I live in the south west, our summers for the last couple of years have definitely warmed up compared to say 10 years ago.

I returned to work 3 days a week - DS is with a childminder on 2 of those days, family the 3rd day.
Since the warm weather arriving, I’ve had to leave work early to pick up DS from the childminder on these two days, she’s now introduced a Heat Policy and is now saying if it gets to 28 it’ll be half day pick ups (12.30pm latest)
We haven’t got family nearby who are on hand to collect him for us while we’re at work, as those that are, are also working. so it’s meaning having to keep leaving work early. My husband works a fair distance away, so it’s usually me collecting/leaving early. And I don’t work in a job where I can leave without causing quite big disruption to other colleagues and work.

The childminder has no air con in place, her garden shelter is basically sheets she’s thrown over a wood pagola, and has one tower fan which does nothing and keeps the kids mostly in the play room which is a conservatory.
she’s also claiming she has health issues and the heat affect these…

before anyone suggests it - we are leaving. There have been some other issues that have factored into this decision but, given our summers are hotter now and we actually get longer than a week of sunshine! It just isn’t sustainable.
But I haven’t been able to get him into his new placement until September as of course most reputable places are now full until then.

But is this normal??

Means cheeky fucker. I would honestly deduct any time she closes for the heat off what you pay and just say it’s unreasonable to close in normal summer temperatures.

I completely agree - she keeps mentioning health issues. Which, to some extent, I sympathise despite not having a clue what those health issues are. But when your in a job that is crucial to enabling parents to continue to work, and your not able to fulfil that service, then do the honourable thing and step down.
Don’t keep making excuses and putting parents in really difficult predicaments.
She also contracted 30 days notice to leave, which I presume is so she can herself find a replacement to cover the loss.
Yet herself will only give 24 hours notice if she’s closing. She also always bills a month in advance, so it’s really difficult to keep track of what you’ve been billed for previously and what she owes back etc.

Haha - then I agree!
And the difficulty with that is, most of my hours are funded hours. Which I can’t see or know if she’s still claiming despite closing. But I highly highly suspect she is still claiming those hours and being paid despite closing! Probably why she’s being such a flip flop with it all - she doesn’t loose out!!

So is she closing this week as well because its going to be hotter again

Ask her outright. “If your closing due to the normal temperature are you still claiming for the funded hours? Just want to make sure I know what’s going on.” No harm in asking, you are allowed.

I would leave her a bad review when you leave in september.

She sent the ‘heat policy’ out ahead of this week because Im assuming that’s exactly what she’s planning to do!!
I’m awaiting the message to confirm…. But have zero doubt it’s in the drafts ready to be sent.

She is a total CF !!!

she isn’t providing a service so should refund

I get 99% is funded and maybe query about the funding being paid

she will be losing many clients

does she know you are leaving in Sept

Not yet - I’m giving notice in August. I didn’t want to do it ahead of the 30 days incase she gets a bee in her bonnet and says we’ll need to be out by xyz and be left with zero childcare options until he can start his new place in September!

And yeah I think I will in regards to the funding when I get my next bill!

I think I will do that when I get my bill at the end of this month!

And I will be!! A lot of childminders are word of mouth recommended around here!! I can’t see she’ll be getting recommended much anymore!!

That’s not normal at all. I took my youngest to nursery and they never closed down due to the heat. They set up multiple fans and arranged water play. How can she still charge for being closed to the heat?! That’s crazy! I can see everyone leaving in September!

She is really taking the piss and giving childminding a bad name.

I’d like to think everyone would vote with there feet. However, I don’t know the circumstances of the other parents of kids who attend there. I know the others have been attending since there kids were little, they’re now 3-4 I think. I don’t know if they work or not?
The childminder I’m moving to only takes on kids of working parents. She also is a mother herself, so totally understands the difficulties of childcare and working. She’s even sent me a contract specifically stating she will not close due to heat, cold weather, storms or snow (unless exceptional circumstances like a power outage etc)..

I agree. X

I’m so curious as to what she’s done today - as was forecast for 30.. Although, it’s really pleasant so far, over cast with a nice breeze! I’ve been in the garden all morning with my little one. No issues.

She is duty bound to report closure due to heat as a significant event to Ofsted. Perhaps you should ask her whether she has. If she hasn't, it may make her worry about closing regularly and change her approach. If she keeps doing it, without justification, you could complain to Ofsted and they may deal with her.

I’d also wonder what she would do if she declared a half day pick up and you didn’t turn up till 5pm?

It happened with the last heatwave. Loads of schools and childminders closed and nannies had all the extra kids and we had to cope.
I was working in the house with massive glass doors, sky lights in the kitchen with no blinds , hot tiled floor and plastic glass in the garden. It was unbearable and with both parents working upstairs we had to stay downstairs in a room that was literally like a green house.
Really tempted not to go in if schools and childminders start closing again this week.

That’s really interesting - I wouldn’t have known that. Thank you. Have you got any links to this information? Incase she asks me where I’ve got that from? ‘Mumsnet’ would probably get me nowhere.

I just searched google but I've searched again and can't find the page I looked at and another page says you'd only have to report it if a child was taken ill due to the heat. Sorry, I'm not really sure now as different advice seems to be out there. It might be worth pointing out to your cm that she has a responsibility to try and make her house suitable to be able to stay open and you expect her to take steps to mitigate the heat so this doesn't keep happening. I feel for you as my cm closing even for a day would've been a nightmare as I couldn't wfh or take time off due to heat. Good luck.

lol that isn’t the same for childminding!

I am a childminder and closed at lunch time for two days when we had a red heat warning. And asked non-working parents to keep their children home.
My LA decided we could keep the funding for those days.
I doubt she will be able to keep funding for closing at 28c though.

Ultimately if you don't like her service, you should stop using it.

Also I have been trying to buy a portable air con unit since the last heat wave but there aren't any!

Which I am.
I understand the buying of air con units is difficult right now - but many, many companies are renting them on a weekly basis, including the one I work in.
She could also be buying a UV protected garden sail, having the kids under that with water play and a pool. Not keeping them locked inside a stuffy room with one fan and then saying they’re ’not Coping’.
There are options, she isn’t/hasnt bothered to explore.

No problem - thank you for taking the time to look for me! X

I found ones on Amazon last week