Is the childminder right to charge me this way?

[Fiona2011231]

Could you pls advise?

Since September, for the first time I have been using a childminder. We pay her a full-day fee (8 hours) for fiver days per week.

During the week, there is one day when we always pick up our child one hour early. However, we still pay her the full-day service. Initially we did not know we could have picked up the child early. And when we know that we could, we still pay her the full fee.

Last week, we came a bit late, exactly 6 minutes late. She said that we need to pay her for another half an hour.

This is not about the money. I want to ask if her payment request is normal for a childminder. On our part, we had thought since we always pay the full fee even though we pick up the child early once a week, she would be more reasonable when we are a bit late.

Is my expectation reasonable? From now on, should we not pay the full fee on the day when we can pick up the child one hour early?

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

There's also the question of ratios. If someone is running late, it can cause a childminder to go over her numbers if she has an overlap or overnight care.

There are other ways of being flexible. I know childminders who are flexible on days, on payments, on notice period, on holidays, on other charges.

My own practice is to have a higher rate and no overtime or late fees. There are those who would find this unacceptable and accuse me of overcharging. They would prefer a childminder like the Op's childminder who charges late fees and expects them to arrive on time.

Talking about withholding Christmas presents for implementing a clause in the contract (and therefore mutually agreed) - now that is mean!

Sorry Dame if I said it would definitely out me!

Oh dear, that bad?

I find the threat of removal of Christmas bonus laughable. Gifts are not an expectation I have certainly not even on the radar of why I do the job.

Really wasn't serious about the Christmas present as its not in the contract (hence the ). The point about this is that firstly, the OP needs to pay for the whole day. That's a place her child has if the Op chooses to collect early, so be it.. I would expect nothing else and this is what I do with my CM (just after school pick ups for me) and I am sure everyone else does too. It's a place with her just like a nursery place. What is wrong is the late fee charge for 6 minutes. Or to be honest even 10 if it's a first offence OR a very isolated incident. That maybe in the contract but it's petty. Stuff happens, people are late. Just like the CM could be late for school pick up as there is a traffic jam. It happens. Just like if there was a school closure because of snow, I would expect my CM would still want to be paid even though she wouldn't look after my DS. It's swings and roundabouts and some give and take makes for a better relationship.

Would you expect that from any other childcare setting, Mama?

One of my parents works at an after school club. They have a penalising late fee with no excuse accepted. The local nurseries do the same.

Yes I would and that is how our nursery operates. I was late tonight by 5 minutes. I called 30 mins before and said it was possible I would be late I was on the motorway in traffic. I won't be charged. If I did it regularly or was very late I would be and fair enough. I find it a bit odd that people think it's ok to effectively be punished for being a few mins late, ONCE. It's like going straight to a warning in a workplace for being 5 mins late for work! In that case, a disciplinary process would only start for repeat offending. It just seems weird to me that the first time the OP is a few minutes late she's slapped with a charge.

The difference in your story to the original post is you called and there was a problem on motorway.

I have no idea if there was a reason why you OP was late out of her control or she called to say she was late.

To Starlightbright1: I did call the CM before I came, saying the train was late. Still she charged me.

Anyway, I don't have anything against my CM. I understand this is a personal decision, varying from person to person. Each one would have a reason to justify their thought.

My current CM only charges for the hours used - so if I get away from work early and go and collect the girls then I won't be charged for those hours. If I decide to take a week off work which isn't during my CM's holidays we are not charged for that week. I know that this is extremely unusual. And for most CM's not financially viable.

In most cases, you pay for what you book. Even when you arrive early, you still need to pay.

If this was the first time you were late and you called to let her know then I think she has been a bit unreasonable charging you - though technically if it is in her contract she is within her rights to do this.

I can say then I would probably not charge you then but do know CM's who would.