CM Club - What would you do?

[RosieGirl]

One of my mums told me last week that she was having a long weekend with her family so wouldn't be coming on Monday. I charge for odd days off so would be charging as normal for the day.

I received a text at 6pm (which I didn't read until much later) last night saying that due to a change of plans she wants to drop her DS off as normal this morning.

Now I fully understand that she is paying for the day and have said no problem. But as I wasn't expecting anyone (he was my only mindee today, I have before and after schoolies only), I didn't do any shoppping or planning as I wasn't expecting him. So was intending to go food shopping (for my afterschoolies as I feed 5 of them) and get paperwork done instead.

Is there a "cut off point" where you could say, sorry but I need a bit more notice, or should I remain available right up to the last minute in case they need me. If I hadn't read my phone last night (we were out all weekend and I didn't have my phone on me and got back quite late) would she still be in her rights to call early this morning and tell me she would still be bringing him?

I would be grateful for your thoughts and feedback.

tbh, i think she can call right up until drop-off time and say he is coming. she is contracted for that day and will be paying for it so she can cancel her plan not to use it. it would have been good to get a bit more notice though.

also, can you take him shopping with you? the paperwork will have to wait as it would have done normally anyway.

yes can imagine how you feel but think you just have to swallow it..

i would be annoyed too though, sounds a bit flaky..

definatly take him shopping with you though.. why not??

If you use NCMA contracts there is a bit about cancellation of holiday on the back page; I always bring this to the attention of parents as it is a big issue for me

Thanks guys, of course I have done it, but it just brought up lots of different scenarios in my mind ..........

what if I had gone straight off after the school run,(he doesn't come till after 9), hadn't got her message, can she had call me at anytime during the day, should I drop everything and be available - even if she is paying me.

I am stupidly very flexible but recently feel some parents are taking advantage. One set of parents who are shift workers haven't given me any future dates. When the children came last week I reminded them several times and wrote it in the diary that they must let me know what they need over the coming weeks to no avail, and I feel awful constantly chasing.

I suppose its all the little things that start to add up, making them more annoying than usual.

By the way, he did come shopping with me and I obviously made it lots of fun, I just got the necessary bits, although when I got to the counter my card was refused, it ran out yesterday and I haven't received a replacement, and we were in Aldi who don't accept credit cards, so dug around to give every last penny in cash, so now have no cash, and have been informed by the bank that it will take 7-10 working days to get a new card to me (the other must have gone astray in the post).

Do you get the feeling its going to be one of those weeks.......

Oooh, its so irritating isn't it? I haven't had holiday cancelled, but I had a parent let me know by text at 11.15pm that the child would be with me 1.5 hours earlier than expected the following morning!

I didn't say anything but 'fine', but silently fumed and felt taken advantage of. :(

ROSIE you having a day of it love.. real pain for you..

leeloo 1.. do you mean the parent wanted you to have the child an hour and a half earlier than the contracted hours?? that sounds a bit off.. also I wouldnt answer a text at that time except in an emergency.. very rude to text you that late imo.. u may need a word..

thebody - no, luckily not that bad, it was within the contracted hours, but 1.5 hours earlier than usually dropped off on that day IYSWIM. I almost didn't see text - luckily I did or I wouldn't have been up in time... and I didn't answer it til following morning.

I agree it was rude to text that late - they're usually v good parents, so am waiting to see if it happens again before saying anything.

Interesting actually as what if say you'd decided that because you had no mindees, you'd fit in that dental check you can't fit in without difficulty? And then had to cancel because they chose to come at last minute? My dentist charges if don't get 24 hours notice of not coming.

Katy - what bit on the NCMA contract? Or do you mean the bit about 'mutually agreeing' that ok to cancel?

I've had this happen before and had to cancel plans because at last minute they chose to bring them, nothing major to cancel though but just wondered what if?

Yes - so the parent can't cancel the holiday unilaterally

Do you give a set amount for notice of cancellation or is it a case of looking at things if they cancel and you agreeing or not agreeing to let them cancel? Do you still get paid?

I get paid whatever
I point out that they shouldn't 'book' holiday unless they are certain they are taking it as I am unlikely to be able to have their child once they have cancelled

I would never book another child into the space but I would give staff time off (which I wouldn't cancel)

Totally see that and probably easier to enforce in your situation.

I don't think it is a major problem, but as you said bloodsucking, it brought up lots of "what if's" I may consider adding an amendment in the holiday section to give at least 24 hours notice if they have booked a day off and wish to cancel, especially if they try and cancel at a weekend, as they are assuming I am always there to take their calls (which I am, but don't want them to feel I am IYSWIM) as I may make alternative arrangements. Sometimes I take children swimming but can't if I have too many little ones, so I may arrange to go swimming, let parents know to bring swim kits ect, then let them down at the last minute, if the parent suddenly cancels holiday. Of course I like to remain flexible, especially if it is an emergency, but I knew the mum was on leave on this occasion.

As you said bloodsucking, I also have children 52 hours a week, so if I can see a space I try and fit anything in, that I cant normally do.

p.s. I chased up my shift working family and was asked if I could have their children on Wednesday this week, he was very apologetic but again because I didn't have anything in my diary for Wed morning I am taking my daughter to hospital for a scan, I said I couldn't really have them explaining the above, and he said they were really stuck and didn't mind if I took her with me, which I said OK (please feel free to slap me), leaving me feeling cross at myself. When will I toughen up?

I am a parent who uses a CM.

I would never assume that I could cancel holiday. I might (in an emergency) phone the CM and ask if she could possibly help us out by having the DC when we had booked holiday, but in my view once the holiday is agreed our CM has every right to make her own plans and I have no right to assume that she would change these at short notice.

you are being far too nice

also good point about the dentist.. never thought of that.