CM Club - I'm not well, parent decided for me not to have mindee, what to do about pay etc..........

[looneytune]

Hi everyone

I'm in the process of updating my policies as I think they need it (some of you will know what I mean by that!)

Well, I've caught baby's cold and have a streaming eye and runny nose - used a whole box of tissues already I'm still open as we struggle through these things don't we, plus the sisters mum would deffo want me to work! I emailed dad of new mindee who I should collect at 2.45 from pre-school and have until 6pm. I emailed to 'let him know' about the germs but expected him to be ok and just collect mindee as usual. Well, he's emailed back saying as he's at home, he will collect her to give me a breather and hopes I feel better soon. So lovely I thought but I emailed back checking he was sure and said I didn't mind going etc. He then said he'd rather she didn't get another cold as had 2 this year already. But he was nice about it.

So, my policies state that if I'm ill, it's a fee free day BUT that's when I'm closed due to illness (must admit, not clear but most parents gathered that anyway). It also says that if my own child is poorly, I will let parents know and let them make a decision whether or not to bring children. If they choose not to, they pay half fees.

So, this has made me think even more about my Sickness Policy but what about today. Do you think I should refund part/all of today's fees even though I'm working? It's only a cold and if I wasn't streaming with it (unfortunately this is what I get like with bad colds), I would just charge as normal as there are always colds in the group. BUT, as I AM streamy, what do you think? I can sort of understand why parent wouldn't want me spreading my germs.

I'll be back later with more questions for my policy but for now, I just need to decide about the fee

you don't sound well at all, hope you're feeling better soon
I don't think I'd expect to pay (as a parent ) if my childminder is unwell
I would def tighten up your policies so that if this happens again you have something to refer to

I wouldn't expect to pay tbh

I think as you have said you are prepared to collect child but the dad has said he'll do it, you should still charge him. It's only a cold not a contagious disease!

Thanks hana That's what I thought. I DO need to tighten up on them, suppose it's just that ever since I started minding, all parents wanted me to work with colds so colds were never covered on my policies. Anything else would either be I'm closed or open.

Obviously, if I'm ill like this I want to either work or not work as if I'm loosing money, I want to rest and get better quicker iyswim. Problem is that if I rule THIS (streaming cold) as an illness I will close for, other families are going to get pi**ed off with me Oh, decisions, decisions. At least I don't have to go out for yet another school run in the rain, the girls can have a nice long sleep whilst I have a cup of tea I think

If you had told him you were open for buisness as usual and he decided not to send child then i would charge! If im open they pay!!!

Oh, missed the other posts.

I know we are going to get different opinions here but I'd VERY MUCH appreciate you all still coming and telling me what you think as it will help me with making a decision

Off to put the kettle on.

To confirm....I did say I was open as usual but that it's my duty to let them know about my germs.

Now I'm worried about how frequent it is for someone to have a snotty nose (most childminders on here will know what I mean by this ) - I'm worried that I'll have to inform parents every time ANYONE has a runny nose etc.

OH HELP, I'm all confused now.

I REALLY am going to make the tea now

big difference between a cold and what you describe I think

maybe half pay

see what the parent decides to do

grumpyfrumpy - I couldn't NOT say anything. I didn't say anything to the 2 girls parents but I've worked with them for over a year and know they'd even want me to work with D&V if I had it (I wouldn't work though!!). As this family are new to me, I didn't want to upset them by them seeing me later and being cross for me not saying anything. I do agree though that it doesn't seem right to charge. The way dad put it was that because he's not working and he's around, he'd let me off to make things easier BUT then the 2nd email made me think more iyswim.

Twiglett - I know what you are saying but unfortunately, this IS a COLD. Yes, I feel like poo and a bit clammy but the streamy part of it is just how my silly body deals with colds - my dad is the same. It's like hayfever I suppose (but a bad case of it).

I think maybe I should offer the money back and you never know, he may refuse it.

I think I'd meet them half way and refund half the fees as you were open and they chose not to use you.. but you did have germs.

I think I'll just offer a straight refund this time round and then make my policies VERY clear!!! That's a whole new thread though - feel free to help out on that one if you want to read about snot and all that (how lovely eh!!).

id offer him a refund, if he refuses far enough.tricky one as the Lo have prob passed this onto you and youa re still working and hes said hell pick her up..BUT..hes trying to be nice giving you one less child to deal with so to be truthful i would fel bad charging him..BUT im also very soft!

I think this is a similar case to if your child is ill and they choose not to use you - basically you are open, but sending risks exposing the child to germs, and they've chosen not to take the risk.

Therefore I would offer a refund of half fees, and see what they say. Who knows, they may refuse to take it.

Ok, I've already emailed saying I will refund today and asked what he wants to do about tomorrow?

I've now put another thread together about colds and how to word my policy - feel free to have your say on that, I'd really appreciate it

We all have germs all of the time. I would say charge, you were open and working, yes you werent feeling well but you had others. It was the parents choice not to use you so i woild charge. And revise your policies quickly.

If you send them over i will look them over if you want.

I would offer a refund too. Even though were still working the reason he kept her home is coz you're not well.

Hope you're feeling better!!

As you contacted the dad to tell him you were a bit unwell, perhaps the dad thought you were hinting that you would rather not collect his dd? I would only tell parents that I'm unwell if I was actually not going to work.

Perhaps you could tell the parents that it had really only been a courtesy call in line with your sickness policy, but that you were actually OK to work and, if the situation arose again, you would not be refunding the money (but say it a bit more nicely!)

I don't think I'd pre-warn parents if I had a cold - all the mindees arrive with them anyway!!

I made it clear in my first email to dad that I was just informing him as my duty type thing (basically a courtesy call) and only because I was so streamy - I didn't want them to be annoyed when they saw me as some parents want to be able to choose whether or not for me to have their lo. I also replied saying I had no problem picking lo up blabla and he just said he didn't want her catching another cold if possible. I've already confirmed I will refund but am changing my policies to make it clear in the future