Cancellations within the settling in period. NEED HELP ASAP!

[StepMum101]

Hi Everyone, I am a new parent and new to all parenting. I have a 4 year old step son and I have recently placed him with a childminder. I has been one week she has had him for and I would like to cancel the contract as her services is no longer needed. VERY UNPLANNED, i know. I am still within the settling in period and she has taken 3 weeks money ( 2 of which was a deposit). I was wondering if it is wrong to ask for that deposit back as my parter is no longer working and that money would be beneficial to him and he can look after his son (not on child tax credit for child care) or does he have to continue to go until the money is finished??

Please if someone could help me I would be very grateful, I need to go and see her today, just found the website.

Thanks in advance

I'm sorry, but I would have thought the deposit is to cover exactly this sort of situation, and the other week is pay for the week she has had him.

Very quick reply but if it was me, I'd refund any 'fee' you had paid that you didn't need to, as it's within the 4 week settling in period. If you'd booked me a long time ago and paid a deposit to secure the space then I THINK (I'd have to know full details) I'd keep that as the deposit was a reservation fee that was returned on the understanding you did use my services. Does that make sense?

yes, and I believed that's how it should have worked. Is it not written anywhere or is it just a CM decision?

NCMA contracts have a set place for that and I would make that clear. Don't know about your CM without seeing your contract.

A deposit is usually non refundable unless she said it was for services in advance.
You could ask and see what she says.
If your partner was to get another job very soon, will you be needing the childminder again. It may be worth explaining the situation as she may not want you back and you could find yourself without childcare. Perhaps ask for a week back and ask her to keep a week as a goodwill gesture towards any admin and work she has done.

Well anyway thanks guys, she said no. I was expecting that in the back of my mind. I was just trying to ease my partners financial issues. Is is possible to still claim that money from the HMRC?

If you mean childcare element of tax credits then no. Us childminders don't get that for our own children even though we are working and they affect us earning what we could (due to ratios). I'm not surprised she said no if it was a non refundable deposit.