CM Club - How can one phonecall ruin you day!

[Booh]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

PARENTS!!!

I had a new boy who was going to start in the summer etc etc, deposit and all paperwork done, but she has just called me to say that they don't need me they are going to use another childminder in my village! Mainly because she is much cheaper!

However I think mum may be regretting her final decision as she said 'Oh I expect you will still see X at toddlers etc' then I siad 'Oh no I won't as Y never takes any of her children out!'

Oh well, someone else will come along I am sure and at least I get to spend the deposit

It always amazes me that parents pick the cheapest option over the best care for their precious children, she will probably realise that she made the wrong decision by the sound of it so then she will have to come grovelling back to you and hey guess what you just revised your fees so its more than it was before!!! Chin up I hate it when that happens too

I've had this too for a few different reasons

One was when a friend who's a CM was chosen over me - I was really upset, mostly because I adore the child, and also because I felt I could provide better care - the other person was only interested when they found out how much money it was and the baby slept for hours a day!

The other time was when a mum paid me in two cheques, me being a div cashed them both at the same time (I have a habit of losing cheques/cash if I don't do it immediately) and she phoned me and screamed at me as one was meant to be kept for later in the month and she'd gone overdrawn.

It really upset me, I wouldn't have done it otherwise and I hate conflict.

ive just had this happen to me too, a little boy i was stressing over how to work out my ratios and have them increased etc etc, mum has been twice, last time with dad and all seemed settled rang two days ago to say shes going with someone 'closer'(by this she means cheaper!..and I was reccomended by her current(stopping cm to become teacher) cm..pah!

this is a real shame

cheaper is not always better, quite the opposite

it's hard filling places isn't it?

i have tyhe complete opposite to this! I am the cheapest childminder within a 10 mile radius (probably cheapest in UK!!) I have a parent moaning that i charge full price whilst mindee at preschool (due to start in September!) Mum thinks she can do better and handed in notice for end of July! She has since realised the next childminder charges £3 p hr so if her DD does 6 hours with her its £18 and a full day (7.30- 5.00) with me is £22! Now im not sure i want to say i will forget the notcie! BTW cheaper does not mean im rubbish either! I provide a cooked meal every day and we go to toddler groups 4 out of 5 days plus farm, park, soft play etc and we do loads of arts and crafts! When i started i decided i would earn a certain amount to keep me under tax bracket. If i raised my prices i would pay tax and therefore be worse off in long run!

fair enough bonkerz

just want to add that i am also level 3 qualified in chidcare and was a nursery manager for 3 years before starting childminding! I charge £2.40 an hour.

don't you mind selling yourself short?

dont think i do to be honest. YES i do have one parent who can take the mickey sometimes BUT the other parent i deal with is amazing and really appreciates me. I knwo im worth alot more per hour TBH BUT cant see the point. I make enough to pay my bills and cover my costs and thats all i want really. I left a highly stressful job in nursery management to be able to look after my children at home which is invaluable. Im also very lucky and have been full ever since i started 3 years ago. I am also the only childminder who has 2 full timers (im full as have DD too) and i love not having to faff with part timers etc.

well as long as it suits you go with it!