CM issue...please help

[HoopsAndBaby]

Hi all,

currently I have employed a childminder for when I start work in January, I have signed a contract and everything.....the problem is my gut instinct is telling me no.....

so I have recently been contacted by another childminder saying she now has a vacancy for DS, anyway this was the lady i wanted from the beginning, so how do i go about canceling the other childminder bearing in mind I have already signed a contract?

Thanks all

what does your contract saya bout cancelling - probably a notice period, so if you are paying a retainer you will have to carry on paying for the notice period, or if you paid a deposit you will probably lose it.

But, your gut instinct is there for a reason, you have to do the right thing for your ds.

thnaks gingernut I'm not paying a retainer she didn't want one (I did offer).

I think i feel a bit bad for saying she will be his cm then going back on it......

Does the contract state a settling in period? Mine always do for 4 weeks so that either party can cancel if not happy. I know that's different as you've not started yet but if it was me, I'd just let you cancel (not that anyone would ever want to cancel me of course! )

Tbh, she should have charged you a deposit so that if you canceled, she didn't totally loose out. But if she didn't charge, as hard as it is as she may have turned others away since, it's tough and maybe she'll charge a deposit in future.

HTH :)

if the 2 childminders know each other/or even know of each other they will get to know what has happened so it may be worth telling a little white lie, is the first choice CM easier to travel to work from after you drop off or soemthing?

I think you need to be letting the original minder know asap so she can readvertise.

Thanks for your input, the cm I want is closer and nicer, the thing is I was getting desperate and kept getting told no vacancies, which is why when I went with this one.......the contract does include a settling in period of 4 weeks but I will let her know tomorrow.

I think I will give her a cheque for keeping the vacancy for me (as a goodwill gesture) as I feel I have let her down.......I think I'm too nice!!

That's lovely that you're going to offer her something. I am a CM and I charge a deposit for this very reason.

Hoops, that sounds nice yes. Hope everything goes well with your chosen CM :)

I think that it is a very good idea to give her some compensation - not only because it is a nice thing to do but also because you never know if at any point you may need to come back her in the future. For the same reason I would also give "the other person lives closer to us" (only if true, obviously) or some other impersonal explanation as the reason why you changed your mind. It is always better not to burn bridges unless you absolutely have to!

Just a minor point, you don't employ a childminder.
You pay a fee for her service.

sorry bradford wasn't sure I had used the correct terminology....sorry for any offence caused!

If you've got a settling in period, you should be able to cancel immediately with no notice period. I would let this childminder know as soon as possible: she may well have turned down other enquiries to keep your place.
She's been nice in not charging you a deposit, so it's nice of you to consider giving her something as compensation. I wish more parents thought as you do :-)