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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Urgent Question for childminders...

54 replies

lottiesmummy · 09/02/2007 09:40

I am a childminder
My little girl had chicken pox this week, the mother of the baby i look after chose not to bring her as she didnt want her getting it... she's assuming she won't have to pay, it was her desision not to send her... what do you do? do you still charge?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

themildmanneredjanitor · 09/02/2007 09:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

lottiesmummy · 09/02/2007 09:42

so shud she still pay?

OP posts:

themildmanneredjanitor · 09/02/2007 09:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pooka · 09/02/2007 09:44

I also don't think so - but am also not a childminder.

LoveMyGirls · 09/02/2007 09:45

In this case i would either not charge or charge half fee, at the end of the day it is reasonable to expect the mother of a young baby not to want to send her baby to somewhere she is likely to get chicken pox. I know it's hard to take the loss but look at this from the mothers pov and it is only a one off. sorry that's not what you want to hear.

Katymac · 09/02/2007 09:46

My parent sign in their contract to agree that Chicken pox is a "acceptable" illness - therefore if they don't come it is their decision & they pay - however if you don't make that clear - I think she shouldn't pay

btw does she know that your DD was infectious for the 2 weeks before the rash arrived?

Original poster

lottiesmummy · 09/02/2007 09:47

thanks, its just hard to know what to do, I can't afford to loose the money but i see it from her side too the baby is 6mths old

OP posts:

Original poster

lottiesmummy · 09/02/2007 09:49

I wasnt expecting my child to get chicken pox so didnt know i could put it in contract.. all other children i look after have had it and still come

OP posts:

fireflyfairy2 · 09/02/2007 09:52

I don't think you should charge her either. What else should she have done? I know her baby could still get it, as the infectious period is before the rash comes out.

I don't think anyone can plan for all events but I think the "accepted illness" is a good thing to have on a contract

2gorgeousboys · 09/02/2007 09:54

I am not a cm but if it was the other way round and you had a small baby and one of your mindees had c/pox would you still take the child? I wouldn't expect to pay my cm if her child had c/pox but I suppose it depends on the kind of contract you have with the parents.

ayla99 · 09/02/2007 09:57

If you remain open and continue to provide care with sick or infectious children, then parents may well expect to be able to bring their child when ill or infectious.

My sickness policy states the mindie must stay at home for at least 5 days after the rash first appears but its no longer necessary to keep at home until spots are crusted over. Charges are not waived for absence due to sickness.

So if it were me or my family ill I would close - in this case for 5 days, without charging parents for this time - their place is unavailable and they may have to pay another childminder.

I know its hard to make ends meet when you don't get the fees you were expecting. One of the pitfalls of childminding, I'm afraid.

bigwuss · 09/02/2007 10:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

quietmouse · 09/02/2007 10:14

no, you can't charge her.

Original poster

lottiesmummy · 09/02/2007 10:17

Have called the NCMA and they say as the service was available that we should still charge

OP posts:

quietmouse · 09/02/2007 10:19

in all the time I have been childminding I have never charged for my children's sickness or for my own. Neither do any of the childminders I know of.

I find it very odd that the NCMA have told you that.

I feel sorry for the mother of the baby tbh.

Original poster

lottiesmummy · 09/02/2007 10:22

i'm not lying if thats what u think, was a lady at the Bromley office who told me that

OP posts:

crace · 09/02/2007 10:25

I wouldn't charge if it were me personally -but maybe you could reach a half fee compromise?

I know lots of people who would send anyway but it's one of those things really, the baby is only 6 months old after all and I am sure the mother was quite concerned on how it would affect her baby.

There is the infection which is possible beforehand of course..

It's really up to you, but if it were going to make a huge issue with you and the parents then I wouldn't. Perhaps compromise?

quietmouse · 09/02/2007 10:26

I'm not saying you are lying. I am just very surprised, that's all.

If you feel you must charge I would only charge half fee. It just seems really unfair otherwise imo.

dmo · 09/02/2007 10:29

i'm a childminder and i think if one of my children had chicken pox then i would close

its up to you if you accept any of the begging parents

gooseegg · 09/02/2007 10:40

I wouldn't charge.
Chicken pox and it's potential complications could make any baby or child really ill.
As a parent I am the one who should decide on whether chicken pox is an acceptable illness or not.
I wouldn't want my children exposed if they had just had immunisations or were already ill or recovering from a chest infection or any other infection.
Also if parents are about to travel by plane airlines wouldn't allow them to fly to chicken pox.

mykidzrmyworld · 09/02/2007 10:49

Im a cm
I would NOT charge in your situation.
If my child was ill with Chickenpox I would close.
I have a young baby and at christmas my nephew had it - all my family still wanted us there for xmas but no way would I purposely put my 6mth old baby at risk at getting it.....Babies go through enough as it is with teething etc.They will get it sooner or later.
I think if I was a parent and u tried charging me I would look else where so mayb if u rely on this money so much u dont want to rock the boat too much.
This obviously is just my opinion

Original poster

lottiesmummy · 09/02/2007 10:53

have spoken to mum and she's going to pay half as its neither our our faults, all sorted

thanks for all your comments

OP posts:

mykidzrmyworld · 09/02/2007 11:01

well dont LM
Better to get it sorted soooner rather than later!
Good compromise!

Original poster

lottiesmummy · 09/02/2007 11:12

thanks x

OP posts:

fireflyfairy2 · 09/02/2007 11:59

I wouldn't pay you half. You actually sound very greedy & money grabbing.

Just mho of course

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