Childminder dropping children off early?

[Jemeraldx]

Hya I've been using a childminder for about 5 weeks now she has my 2 children (2 & 4) for 5 hours every monday. well at least she's supposed to she picks them up on time but drops them off half hour early so only really has them 4 1/2 hours. We thought it might be a 'settling' in period but last week (she has them 9 - 2) it was only 1:15!. She's absolutely brilliant & kids love going. I don't have any doubt in her abilities & I feel petty bringing this up. Its not us that pay her, she's paid for by the government. They pay her her to have them because I also have a disabled daughter (7) who takes up most of my time & it gives me a break, which also makes me feel worse for asking her about this.

have you asked her why she drops them off early?

Next time she does it just casually mention " ohh i wasnt expecting you yet, its only x time, ive just got to do ... With other DC can you hold on a moment eith the other children?" then go off with your DD for ten mins or so (if you can). Hopefully she might get the message

Or arrange to be out until the correct time?

I would talk to her - there may be some misunderstanding about the hours, or a problem with the payments.

You could just say, oh I might be a bit late on whatever day because I'm out and just keep doing that until she gets the message

just ask her why she is dropping them off before 2pm...seems pretty straightforward- you don't have to feel bad about it, this is her job so she needs to do it properly.

or offer to haave them back earlier if it is a problem for her, but let her know you will inform whoever pays her to reduce it accordingly.

I'm with Waffling - just be straight with her & ask her why.

yes I would give her opportunity to rectify, perhaps she has misunderstood the arrangements

If no improvement then contact whoever is paying to advise that you are not receiving the hours agreed

I am so sorry, you must feel very awkward

I would ask her. I've done SS care before and they often get things wrong. It may be that the childminder has been told an earlier drop-off time. It's happened to me before, and I've been given the wrong dates of birth, schools, addresses etc.

It's easily done, but just as easily rectified.

you just need to ask her why she is dropping them back early.

I wonder if she is doing this because SS are not paying very much for her time - less than her usual rate I suspect! (call me cynical, but I've seen this happen with SS care for my disabled mother).

Still, this is not your problem (she would have presumably known the rate when she agreed with SS to look after your child) so I would either be out until the right time or just ask her directly why this is happening.

Could she be factoring in her travel time? I'm not saying that she should, just that she might be. Maybe if they are paying her until 2pm she works it so that she drops off children off with you, then is back at her house by 2pm iyswim?

That's odd - she shouldn't be factoring in travel time and since she's been dropping them off between 45 and half an hour early it's probably not that she's confused about hours because that's quite a big difference.

If you like her I'd try not to come across as being too harsh when telling her she needs to make sure she keeps them until two. If I'd made a mistake like that I'd rather the parents asked me nicely if there was a problem. I'm sure there's a sensible explanation.

Hya all! & thanks for help. I have thought about doing the 'I'm going out what time will you be back' routine but I might just come out & ask her. Like I said she is really nice & I do like her & I don't have any doubts about her childminding skills but it does cut down my time if I want to go especially when your talking about travelling times. Anyways I'll let you know how it goes but I'm pretty sure she knows its supposed to be 5 hours.

If she's only being paid for 5 hours, I would think she's probably thinking that includes travelling time (why would she want to pick up and drop off in her own time?). I don't imagine you would find many CMs willing to do pick up and drop off to be honest.