Childminders - advice please, lovely people!

[bloomingnora]

Please can I pick your brains over a dilemma I am having?

I currently employ two childminders to look after DS2. Originally we found childminder A and wanted her to do all the days required but she was unable to. She really wanted to do all the days but found a friend, childminder B, to cover the ones she couldn't do. Due to a change in circumstances A will be able to do all the days from a few months time. Can I give notice to childminder B? Is it legal? Is it unfair? Am feeling really ill, so cannot sort this in my brain!

They are both absolutely amazing, kind, reliable, friendly, great Ofsted reports but B lives about a mile further away and I am often a few minutes late for work on her days.

What should I do? Apart from give them great Christmas bonuses for being so wonderful.....

Thanks in anticipation

Nora

As long as you give notice according to your contract then you'll be fine; we CMs know that work comes and goes

CM B will appreciate if you give her even more notice, to give her chance to fill the space

And be absolutely sure that CM A is watertight before you give CM B notice

HTH

Thank you so much for that speedy response. It's also term time only and I think that although CM A really likes that CM B would rather have year round. Or perhaps I am trying to make myself feel better!

horses for courses, innit

OH and I forgot to say sorry you are not feeling well

Thank you. I am cooking the dinner with two bits of loo roll up my notrils and have just realise that people can see in the window as they walk past

Of course it's legal as long as you give proper notice, and I think it's fair in the circumstances. I think if you give her plenty of notice and a nice reference minder B should be fine with your decision, especially if you explain that the only issue is the distance.

She will definitely get a glowing reference. She is very, very good.

lol at walrus tissues

and a lovely reference is a nice touch

you sound like a super parent to work with

Aw, shucks...I am just bloody grateful that there are people foolish lovely enough to change DS2's nappies.