Think I've made a mistake - is it too late to back out now I've signed the contract?

[PanicPressiePants]

To cut a long story short I've had problems finding a childminder in my area with vacancies for the days I need.

Went to see a cm who I know a friend of mine used to have a while back, the friend has been away over christmas so I have been unable to speak to her about it.

Anyway went to visit today, and she seemed nice, but I wasn't totally 100% happy (mainly 2 reasons, she doesn't have a cot for ds to nap in - it will be the sofa bed, and she has a huge dog)

Anyway, because I'm in a fix I agreed and signed the contract, thinking she must be ok because my friend used her until her children went to secondary school. Anyway, friend has just been round, and said she removed her children as she wasn't happy with the care they received, always in front of the tv, were bored, no planned activities, the dog was allowed to mix with the children etc etc.

Now I'm in a right state, in tears because the contrasct I've signed states I need to give 6 weeks notice, and even if I did pull out, I've noone to take ds at such short notice.

What do I do?

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Doesn't a 'cooling off' period apply to any contract now?

Really? I've read the small print and it doesn't mention anything about that?

I don't know - put a link to this in 'legal' and try and atract the attention of the legal people?

How did you get on with the cm? Did she seem the kind of person you could phone back straight away and say 'look I'm really sorry but on second thoughts I'm not happy with the lack of a cot, and not sure abou the dog'?

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Dp has come home and has rung her to ask if he can also go round and have a look, so thats where he is now, and will bring up the dog and cot.

But will put this in legal as well. Thanks all

Oh your poor thing, Im sure everyone is entitled to a cooling off period. Ring citizens Advice and they shouldbe able to confirm it.

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He's 16 months. Not sure about the contract as dp has taken it with him.

Where do you live someone here might be able to help you out, its worth a try and you should be able to get out of the contract, I always tell people in the first 4 weeks contract can be terminated by either side without notice, but NCMA contract does have a cooling off period as mentioned, if you signed a form in triplicate it is NCMA, good luck

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i didnt think a dog has to be kept seperate from the children. i have a dog, and the ofsted inspecter didnt tell me this. the dog was wandering around and the inspector didnt mention that. when you're in a home setting with a dog, its not normal for a family dog to be kept away from all children is it?

could you not say with what happened to that young girls at the weekend dh is adamant the children will not be near her dogs.

the thing with that is, if ofsted susspected that the dog was a threat at all, they wouldnt have given the childminder her registration would they? my dog isnt all over the mindees, but he does wander around. sometimes they'll give him a bit of a fuss, but then i'll tell them to leave him alone for a while. also, the children should never be left alone with the dog and no adult.

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ok. mines a cocker spaniel, so not a large dog really. he doesnt really bother with all the children as he's so used to them being here. he'll get really excited when they first arrive, then after a couple of minutes, he leaves them alone and just wanders around getting on with his own thing!

oh you poor thing,what an awful situation to be in.
did you get anything resolved?

6 weeks notice? Jeez, I wouldn't agree to that. What if I got laid off (when i would only get four weeks notice). Not on im my opinion. Perhaps she has a history of people leaving on short notice?

Where do you live? Are childminders scarce?

Dp has returned and after discussing the dog, which she says won't mix with the children, and the cot, which she says she will put him in her lo's cot with fresh bedding, we've decided to give her ago.

She does seem nice like I said before, and I suspose I should make up my own mind.

At least It will buy me some time to look for someone else if it doesn't work out.

If she's as bad as your friend says, is it worth the risk?

have you started using her yet??..if not and you are in anyway not sure, ring her and say youve chaged your mind, not nice for her but you have your reasons and being a cm and a mother i would fully understand!..good luck..were are you?

I'm in swindon, wilts. Finding it hard to find any cm in the immediate area whose hours start before 8am, and is available for the days needed.

i suppose youve tried cis and the like?
ask around ask school or check out yellow pages..local playgroups etc(youve prob done all the above)..such a shame youre having no luck.

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