Childminers: Urgent advice needed, should i get rid of this child?

[Diddle]

Hi,

I have had a call this morning from someone who needs a CM for 2 days a wk for her 3 month old. The only way i can fit her in is by getting rid of someone who pays half the money and is leaving me in Jan anyway. Should i remove the child who's leaving in a few months, and how do i tell her mom, should i be honest and tell her i am looking after my business in not so many words??

So because Diddle loves the children she cares for she should make uneconomic decisions and risk her own family's security?

This post was always going to be contentious because the title is so vile

Posts crossed Diddle!

I think that was the most responsible thing to do and I hope the Mother is okay with that and doesn't have issues with transport etc (which was our biggest problem with childcare).

i'm not dropping her in the shit, i have called all the CM i know already, i haven't mentioned it to the current mom or accepted the new child yet either. hopefully it willwork out. The current mom can't change her days she works at a school every day, and her nan has her the days i don't and works the days i have her.

Kaymac - I'll assume you read my post (as I hate it when people assume I haven't read theirs). I did say that if it was the case that she was going to be landed in financial shit if she didn't 'get rid' of the cheaper child then obviously she would have to!!!!!!!

The economic decisions are taken when a child is taken on and if the childminder can't take the risk of this sort of thing happening they should either refuse to offer care right at the beginning or make sure they charge enough with retainers etc to make it worthwhile.

i agree, very sorry about the title

I don't think you should do it; you can present the option to that mother, but it depends on whether she likes the other childminders and is comfortable with her child going through one major upheaval just before starting reception. It has nothing to do with love, I happen to think, everything to do with accepting one work contract and then having another one coming along.

what about referring the "new" mum to the other CM's??

When you are Self employed you can only judge your situstion at this exact moment

Most childminders do love the job and consider it a life choice rather than "a job" - some childminders do it for extra pocket money - but for some of us, if we make the wrong choice or make a bad decision (eg trusting someon to pay late) it really could mean losing our home or car, or going to court for non-payment of debts

Other S/E professionals are respected and trusted to make complex decisions - but often C/Mers are expected to work "for the love of it" and to ignore economics as irrelevant

I wasn't thinking about "loving" the job, more about having a solid reputation and a desire to provide continuity of care and build up trust between CM/parent/child

goosey, since taking the child on, children have come and gone and my situation changes everytime that happens. Childminding is a very difficult job financially as we cannot maintain our income all the time. Children come and go regularly and monthly our incomes could change. I would never refuse a child in case i couldn't afford my bills in a few months though. because i can't see into the future, you never know what might happen

I do not expect my childminder to do her job for love. I expect what I get: a high-quality childcare service from someone who does it, in fact, as a job, and has always worked in childcare. Yes, she likes her job - and I think likes my kids too - but then so do I like my job, and so do a lot of people I know. I pay her every week (in advance, in case I have an emergency), pay in full for any time I'm off and for bank holidays, and half rate when she is on holiday. In return, I get someone who does far more, and with, my children than I would - and if she announced she was dropping DD2 I'd be absolutely outraged (and quite amazed).

I don't think you can expect and demand to be treated with respect, and not deliver in the same way.

I agree with MI, it not to do with love it's to do with running a good, fair and ethical business.

I work on a freelance basis and I would not take on a project and then drop it half way through because a better job came up. Neither would I expect Asda to take the last loaf of bread out of my basket and sell it to someone else because they were offering more money.

If you can negotiate a situation your existing mum is happy with, I think that is fair.

our nursery has recently reviewed its occupancy rates, so you can try to predict (or at least aim for a target) income. any shortfall will warn you that either outgoings will have to fall or you need to recruit some new children asap from somewhere. agree it's a highwire balancing act.

Yep, I'm freelance too. And have been in similar positions.

Why does the existing child's mum pay half the money? (sorry if you've already mentioned this)

I agree Batters. In my role (freelance) I can't just stop dealing with one client before the project has finished, because a client has come along offering me more money.

batters - wouldn't just drop her like that and i am doing all i can to find her someone else if needed. I would give her pletny of notice, and despite what you all may think i am a good childminder and have asked this questuon to get your honest opinions.
I thank you all for telling me like it is and appreciate your views, thank you

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The reason i would get more money from the other child is because its for twice as many hours. thanks oops i need honesty, thank you

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I am in touch with ofsted who are going to see if i can have all the children at once. for 3 months.
I agree as a parents view it would be very upsetting, but i have also seen it from the other side, where parents feel that they can't afford me and they take their kids away and send them to the after school club instead. Everyone looks after their own interests.
I haven't made any decisions yet and thank you all again