Some of What I've said in response To her cancellation is:
I am surprised that you would cancel our agreement on such short notice and respond to some parental concerns and simple questions in such an extreme manner, especially given the "good faith" favour email I provided you with for your Ofsted application.
I am shocked that you would react this way instead of letting me know how you are feeling and discussing it with me. To get this kind of response after having had no negative feedback is, well, surprising to say the least. It is very ?out of the blue?.
I have never heard of a childcare provider ending service over something like this (questions about policy and procedure from a parent) and with less than 24 hours? notice. Standard notice periods are 1 or 2 months.
You have never spoken to me of any problems you have had with my son, or my family or my emails before, so I feel your reaction in cancelling his care with less than 24 hours? notice is not in keeping with our agreement, unprofessional and an example of poor customer service.
What if I had plans tomorrow or was a working parent as Dh is? Would you cancel on a working parent with such short notice? It?s unreasonable to expect a parent to find alternative arrangements when given 21 hours notice.
In addition to this, you are aware that you were Ds1 first outside of the home childcare. A child?s relationship with their care providers and other children is important.
I had already told Ds1 this morning that he would be going to see you and Your son tomorrow.... how confusing to him that he won?t be, and that his time with you has been ended so abruptly. This is NOT what is best for children and NOT the way to look after children. He should have been given an opportunity to say goodbye to your son, other kids, yourself etc.
I find it very sad and disappointing that my sons first experience of childcare outside the home has ended this way and so abruptly.
I don?t understand how you could take offence at the questions I asked, or my suggestion in relation to the onset of contagion, and making sure the other parents have all the information.
The questions were very innocent; I clearly stated that they were questions I would ask of any nursery etc. I did not criticise your cleaning or environment. I merely asked what you do as status quo and what you were doing in response to this outbreak. Wouldn?t you ask the same if Your son caught some nasty bug at nursery if they hadn?t informed you of any actions they were taking? Wouldn?t you want to know?
If I didn?t ask I would not be a responsible parent. I feel it is my responsibility to know about the environment where Ds1 will be spending his time.
You will see if you re-read my message that I assumed you would be doing something and was just enquiring as to what it was. Of course a parent would want to know what you are doing as common practice, and you should expect to get these types of questions.
As for the advice, it?s also innocent. Running a business means that you will get comments and suggestions all the time. You don?t have to follow it, however sometimes maybe someone will have a good idea. Also maybe parents DON?T genuinely know about what I was suggesting, and maybe it would be a good idea to inform them. Getting some thoughts from a parent and a suggestion shouldn?t be something to take offense to.
Its poor business practice to over-react and cancel service because someone wants to know what your practices are (which they PAY for) and because they make an innocent suggestion.
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I then shared a couple other concerns I had :( (she gossiped to me about other parents and children and childminders etc). I had tried to take it easy and not say anything as she is new to childminding, but I know that child minders aren't meant to do that (I did childminder training in London as I briefly considered it myself before we moved out if London).
It's really surprised me to be let down this way....
Her email literally cited no other reasons.