Childminders Club:Oh the insecurity of it all

[katymac]

New child starting so I rearranged the staff rotas
Next day Parent(1) cancelled a days minding so I rearranged the staff rotas
Then a member of staff asked to change her days so I rearranged the staff rotas
Then Parent (1) changed the day child was coming so I rearranged the staff rotas
Then new child changed her hours so I rearranged the staff rotas
Then Parent (2) increased her 2 children hours so I rearranged the staff rotas
Then Parent (2) said she can't afford it so I rearranged the staff rotas

Only this all started yesterday.....I'm knackered

My god, what's going on??? Poor you!!

Not sure if you got my note on the other thread but thanks again for the contract - it arrived yesterday morning so I was well chuffed! Now got a forth contract to renew as a mum arrived yesterday wanting to add an extra day. Am ok though as I've told her I'm waiting for new contracts to arrive! As soon as they do, I'll email you for your address and pop one in the post!

If you are amending terms of an existing contract you can just get them to write a letter detailing the changes and then both sign it

otherwise it can get silly....(see my first post)

Then updat the contract on your normal review date

Well I thought of doing that but as I only started minding on 4th July, my original contracts missed things like the penalties for late payment etc etc - I've obviously learnt not to trust everyone since having problems myself! Anyway.....the 3 other contracts needed changes as there was a big difference to all of them so as the last mindee's hours are also changing, I thought I would redo the contract so they are all the same (obviously after discussing with the parents first). Then, until someone leaves or something, that should be the last time I need to do a contract for a while! I'd put review dates for around now anyway and explained to the parents that any problems in the contracts should come to light in the first couple of months - I'd have changed them even if the hours weren't changing but I know what you're saying!

Why has there been so much mucking around with you then? Does this happen often? Luckily all my changes are for the better but I must say I'm surprised at all 4 mindees being changed in the last couple of weeks - just wondered if this was normal???

Remember you must renew your contract every 12 months (and review every six)

It doesn't always happen like this - I think it's jsut a bad week (I hope)

Yes, ok about the every 12 months, just didn't expect all 4 to change so much in the first 2 months. Do you need new contracts for them all every year or a signed letter? (probably read it somewhere but there's so much to read when you first get started!)

Hope it's just a bad week for you and that everything happens as it should from now on!!!

New contracts - 'cos I just did a computer addendum confirming all the main details and both NCMA & OFSTED said NO!

I don't know what is happening here it's getting silly

I had to phone a lady starting in January - to say she needs to start paying a retainer as I have had a call about her place.....we have 9 places each day that means I have 8 children on Tuesdays.......

Blimey, 8 children on a Tuesday - I found 5 in the summer hols enough (having said that, I have a smallish house and couldn't fit all those in my car which is why I'm getting a people carrier). I'm starting to get more used to more now but it took a while. Anyway, I'm now full and am happy I can't have more than 5 kids in total (for now anyway!)

You must be one very busy lady!!!

I am a knackered lady...that's 8 under 3 btw

Oh my goodness me, how many assistants do you have?

DH & I started off registered at the same time
then got assistant
Then got 2nd assistant
Then 2nd assistant and new person went to get registered (new person did - but we are still waiting for 2nd assistnat's to come through)

So 3 minders (incl me) one waiting to be a minder and 1 assistant....but 3 registered assistants for emergancy cover

Good little business there then!!

Changing subject, just doing my accounts and wondered if you can claim the cost of a wedding present for mindee's parents?? I know it's a bit cheeky but thought maybe I could claim as expense?

Yes helly, because you wouldnt have gone unless you had had the child and you wouldnt have gone to the wedding without a present.

You can claim back christmas and birthday presents for children too.

HellyBelly - I would! Also claim for mindees Christmas and birthday pressies, cards, wrapping paper ... they are not items I would be buying if I wasn't minding (even though I am now friends with the parents, love the mindees to pieces etc.!!)

JellyJelly - SNAP!

Oh goodie as got birthday's coming up next month. Will make sure I log the receipts!

Thanks

I would too

Yep so would I.

Shall we all send very expensive presents to each other and claim for those too?!!

Yeh...Networking

I think the IR would count that as hospitality gifts....and you can't claim them

I've seen a chiropractor on many occasions for lower back/pelvis problems - she knows when I've been minding babies because she has had to treat the consequences (all the lifting and carrying). Apparently, I can't claim the costs of this treatment with chiropractor because it is a "self-inflicted injury."

I had acupressure massage every two weeks (alternating with my Reflexology) and it's so unfair that I can't claim either

Katymac - but that's not to say that I haven't sneaked it in though ...

I think that's awful - work related problems that have to be paid for should be claimable!

I was told that I have a choice as to whether I do this job or not. Therefore, it is "self-inflicted"!!! As I said, there are ways and means of dealing with the expense of it in your accounts ...