Parent done a runner????

[agalch]

Don't know if anyone can help.Started a child beg March,mum paid the monthly fee in advance as per the contract so all good.Was a little inconsistent bringing him eg letting his aunty have him a few times cos he was upset at being left(he's 3.5yrs).Was due to pay fees on Monday for the month of April and guess what? She didn't turn up with the child as arranged.Tried ringing her several times but no joy.Her sister phoned to say mum felt child not settling and was not bringing him back but mum would phone me after work.
Mum didn't phone so i called her at 8am(so i could be sure i got her in)and she agreed written notice had to be given and fees were due.Would phone me later to arrange a meeting.
Hasn't phoned and not answering her phone.Phoned SCMA advice line who advised leaving it till Monday and sending her a letter recorded delivery and refer her to contract etc.I have legal insurance to cover this,has anyone pursued a non-paying parent?Was it worth the hassle and did you get monies owed?
If i do pursue what would i put in the letter?
TIA

You might be right Zoe but the cm sounds totally incompetent... if a builder was contracted to build something and it was totally below standard then surely you would not be expected to pay, would you?
Is it worth complaining to the local authority?

You poor thing, don't send your child back there! We're not all like that - makes me annoyed to hear about childminders behaving this way, gives the rest of us a bad name!

Are your contracts the NCMA ones? If so, maybe you could call them and ask for advice in this case?

i DIDnt think that ncma would talk to parents only us. i understand that parents sign them but when i asked if they would talk to parents they said no.

You might have to pay the four weeks notice or as per your contract. How do you know that she doesnt play with her? Do you provide food for the child. Just trying to think of other reasons why she might not be feeding.

Oh right, didn't know that.

As for the food - I provide my toddlers food and one didn't used to eat much at mine but did at home. Soon found out that parents helped feed her at home but I refused to spoonfeed a nearly 3 year old when I have others kiddies here. She got used to it in the end.

Hi Leah

As a childminder it is awful to hear a parent say things like that. If you do have serious concerns about your child maybe you should consider talking to someone/reporting her.Have you spoken to your childminder at all?I have to say i have had children who do not eat well for me at the beginning when they first come to me,but i would speak to parents as to how to solve it.Why do you think she doesn't play with her?