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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

CM Club: Im new and being messed about

10 replies

cosmicprincess · 27/07/2007 12:51

Hi all. I recently registered as a new CM last month and have been lucky enough to fill all my spaces quickly.

One of these spaces was booked by a lady for a 3yo girl, full time Mon-Fri 8.30 - 4.30. All was fine and we agreed terms and a contract was signed.

Well this girl was meant to start full time with me on Monday but didn't show up.
I tried telephoning the parents, including mobiles and emergency contacts and have been basically told varying stories between , 'i'm in hospital with an asthma attack', 'oh sorry no battery in my phone ...line then goes dead etc' 'oh she'll be there tomorrow' etc etc.

Surprise surprise this girl never showed up and its now the end of her '1st week' and no word from the parents.

Now, it appears to me that this woman has either changed her mind or i suppose she could actually be ill...? Maybe...?

She has n't paid me anything at all, but contract is for payment weekly or monthly in advance and 4 weeks notice to leave. So she now owes me 5 weeks pay. I'm new to all this and haven't a clue what to do. Ive tried all the lines of communication I can without actually going round to see her at home.

Any advice/experience would be appreciated !!

OP posts:

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Mumpbump · 27/07/2007 12:59

I'm not a CM, but I'd have a look at the notice requirements in your contract and send her a letter saying that as you have not received payment in advance, you are cancelling. Sounds dodgy and the fact that they have failed to pay in advance and are giving you varying excuses would make me more inclined to think that they have no intention of taking the place, rather than that there is a genuine problem. But you need to make sure that you act properly so giving them notice would be the best thing to do, imo.

looneytune · 27/07/2007 13:08

Do you have a settling in period on contract?

Original poster

cosmicprincess · 27/07/2007 13:31

Mumpbump - thanks for that, I had thought of sending a letter recorded delivery but don't want to come accross like i'm harrassing them. Feel like just re-filling the space with someone else and ending the contract without a fuss over monies owed now. But i'm annoyed in principle at what this woman has done.

Looneytune - I offered a 6 week settling in period. So does that mean that she doesn't have to give me any notice? Do I still bill her for the space until I hear she wants to end it?
Sorry...totally new to this and confused.

Hope all parents aren't like this. Ive got another boy whose parents have been dropping him off at whatever time in the morning they feel like! I had words with them explaining that i go out to playgroup in the mornings at 9.15, but next day they brought him at 10 again! Not fair on the other kids.
Hope this gets easier!

OP posts:

Mumpbump · 27/07/2007 13:41

I wouldn't wait to hear from her. Billing someone and getting cold, hard cash out of them are two different questions. You need to cut your losses and fill the place with a paying customer! That is why you should terminate, so there can be no misunderstandings and she has no reason to bad-mouth you to other local parents...

looneytune · 27/07/2007 14:01

Yes, it means that you can both break the contract with no notice in that 6 weeks. It works both ways so if she hasn't formally given notice, you can write and say your ending the agreement with immediate effect. May be worth a chat with NCMA (if you used their contracts) just to double check but I'm fairly sure I'm right on this.

Sorry you've been messed about but sounds like you'll probably fill the space pretty quickly anyway

MaureenMLove · 27/07/2007 14:21

Oh poor you CP! Not a good start atall! I agree, I'd cut your loses and terminate the contract with immediate effect. You're right, she could be very ill, but that not really a good excuse to leave you in the lurch. Someone could have phoned you, even if it wasn't her. IT might be best to chalk this one up to expirence and not chase money either, sorry.
With the other parent, you need to nip it in the bud right now. Tell her that these are the hours that have been arranged and if she is not there at the right time, (without prior arrangement), you will be out. You've got to be firm or she'll walk all over you.
It will get better, I promise.

jellyjelly · 27/07/2007 15:18

Do you have your terms and conditions written out in a booklet for the parents to view so you can be strict on those.

Original poster

cosmicprincess · 28/07/2007 19:05

An update for those who were helping me;
I have written a formal letter to this woman terminating the contract with immediate effect and outlining that she owes me £130 for a weeks pay.
However whether or not I actually see the cash is another matter, but worth asking for.

I will just put this one down to experience.

In future I will now require a retainer fee for all places booked 4 weeks or more in advance, or will require a deposit of 1st weeks fees for all places booked to start within 4 weeks (as in this case).

This should deter any persons from 'keeping there options open' and 'blocking' spaces.
With regards to the other matter re parents failing to drop off at agreed time, I have now added it into my terms & conditions booklet and will be handing it in a newsletter next week.
From Monday I will be out of the house doing activities with the children by 9.15! Parents have been warned

Thanks for all your replies, no doubt i will be posting again soon for more advice x

OP posts:

MaureenMLove · 28/07/2007 23:04

Well done, you know it makes sense! Hope to see you in the staff room sometime. Its a bit slow atm, lots of us on holidays and extra schoolies to deal with! Once we're all back to school in September, it'll start getting busy again.

LoveMyGirls · 29/07/2007 08:04

I think it sounds like you have handled it perfectly, it's a shame we get messed about like this, it happens to us all alot and the only thing we can do is try to spot the time wasters from the start.

I think this is an art i'm yet to perfect as i've been doing it over a year now and last week i had a woman with the cheek to ask for 5 weeks off without paying i think not!! I've now half filled that space though so glad I didn't take her on (things have been quiet round here for abit!)

See you in the staff room next week!

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