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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 - Do I charge for cancelled extra days?

24 replies

star1976 · 05/08/2007 19:06

Really annoyed. Mindee's mum called last Wednesday quite late to say that their other childminder can't have their DD and could I do full time till further notice. (I do Mon Tues Thurs and she does Wed and Fri, very strange set up).

Said yes and she asked me on Friday at pickup (which was first extra day) to let them know how much I owe for overtime to date and how much for full time next week.

Text her today with amount due tomorrow and she text back saying 'sorry but other childminder back on Wed now so don't need you the extra days'.

I have turned down the chance of 3 girls for one of the days because I was having her DD (even though it would have been more money to have the three girls than just her DD for that one day).

Obviously in her contract it says that any days she doesn't bring her child are still chargeable. Does this stand for extra days she has booked me?

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jellyjelly · 05/08/2007 19:16

yes stand by it. You turned down work for her and she booked the day from you.

Original poster

star1976 · 05/08/2007 19:21

Really dreading telling her.

Have had a few problems with her recently and this is just taking this piss though. Isn't it??

OP posts:

mogs0 · 05/08/2007 20:42

This happens to me frequently with one particular family but I'm such a wimp I never charge for it. However, if I had turned down extra work then I'd be more inclined to charge her.

Good luck!!

MaureenMLove · 05/08/2007 20:59

She should pay for the cancelled days, but if it turns really nasty, maybe you could at least agree half pay. Don't envy you the conversation.

KaySamuels · 06/08/2007 08:33

I agree you should charge her, explaining the days were booked with you for this week, and that you turned down 3 children on one of the days to have her dd. She should have let you know straight away you weren't needed, instead of getting bill and then saying, 'sorry but'!

I can see it being tempting to take on any extra hours offered, but in future if she is messing you about then perhaps you should say you are full/unable to on those days.

PinkChick · 06/08/2007 08:59

text her back and say to her you have turned away three other children and as it states in your t&c agreed hours are to be paid wether used or not..good luck!

ayla99 · 06/08/2007 09:00

when people cancel booked childcare I do not waive the charge unless their place is booked out to another family ie if I am fully booked and the place they booked is no longer available to them.

You are entitled to charge because you reserved the place for the SOLE use of her child:-

you will have spent time planning activities, meals etc
you may have made purchases (food, craft materials, child car seat etc) in order to ensure smooth running on the day
if you didn't have any other mindees on the day you may have had to rearrange dental appointment, family commitments etc
you have turned away other families

If this becomes an issue I would consider declining any further requests for additional hours or insisting on payment at the time of booking (place not booked/guaranteed until payment received)

Original poster

star1976 · 06/08/2007 10:09

Hi, thanks for the advice.

They turned up late this morning and handed me cash and then left straight away so didn't get chance to say anything. When checked has just paid me for extra day last week and usual for this week, not the two days cancelled (which I knew she wouldn't).

Am terrified now though and know that I need to say something but don't know how. Am tempted to just send a text explaining but know that is me being a coward .

OP posts:

MaureenMLove · 06/08/2007 11:52

I know it seems that txting is a cowards way out, but if thats easier - do it! I've done it before and got the result I wanted. You're right, its probably not the best option, but hey if it means you'll get the money....

PinkChick · 06/08/2007 12:31

send her a text, say youve just got chance to sort your money out and it appears to be short from the days she booked this/next week, say as she booked them as contract shows, they must pay for allocated hours, tell her you have turned away paid work for her even tho she has nw changed her mind.good luck

KaySamuels · 06/08/2007 14:13

Yes you should text her, like the ideaof putting you have just sorted out the money.

If you are having problems with her then you really need to lay down the law I think. I know it's hard but you have to....

PinkChick · 06/08/2007 14:28

i would also hand her a copy of you t&c to read, sems she has forgot lots of things and is causing you a few probs of late.

Original poster

star1976 · 06/08/2007 20:40

Yes Pinkchick! Lots of problems recently!

Spoke to her earlier on (face to face, was very brave). She said she cannot afford two lots of childcare and so will use me this week. Which is obviously fine by me!

Hope her other childminder see's it the same way, which I would assume she will.

I know that if I told a parent I would be off till further notice I would expect them to make other plans, and would understand that they can't just cancel them straight away when I was ready to work again!

Thanks for the advice everyone!

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KaySamuels · 06/08/2007 21:01

Glad you got it sorted - that was very brave of you, I hate situations like this too!

I agree other childminder should understand, if she said was unavailable, can't then grab work back!

vixma · 06/08/2007 21:19

yes....if they have asked you to work the hours, then they should be aware of the contract they made with you if it is in writing. You could explain to them that (being kind) you will let them off, however if it is in writing and you have evidence of the extra days they owe you moneythis should not be so. Tough situation for you, I do not see that because they have another nanny/childminder and they book you, you should go without as you passed up bookings with someone else. This is unfare as they have messed you about.

MaureenMLove · 07/08/2007 10:15

Jolly good. At least now, you know the probably will not arise again. Glad she understand and hopefully you've talked enough to prevent any of these other problems comingup again.

PinkChick · 07/08/2007 14:51

go on girl..she wont mess with you again..your rock ard' youa re

Original poster

star1976 · 07/08/2007 19:27

I was shitting myself!

And am still worried that she is now looking for alternative childcare (which she has threatened before).

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PinkChick · 07/08/2007 20:18

well start putting your feelers out yourself now..if shes as much trouble as she sounds, then you never know where you stand so keep your options open.you'll be fine chick!..we neevr know what theyre thinking, im off on hol in just over week and have organsied alternative care from a cm i trained with..maybe they wont come back??!!!

Original poster

star1976 · 08/08/2007 13:10

Sometimes I love being my own boss, but there is an awful lot of worry involved isn't there

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PinkChick · 08/08/2007 17:00

yes there is!.always worrying about upsetting people arn't we!..we need to be hard faced business women!

Shoshable · 08/08/2007 17:16

I am , no messin wiv me there aint

PinkChick · 08/08/2007 19:26

yeah cos your rock ard' you are innit

Original poster

star1976 · 08/08/2007 20:34

I am friendly with mindee 1's mum (was my first and we get on really well, but mum does irritate me sometimes as she is FAR too soft with her DD).

Am determined that with any new clients I shall be ultra hard and professional (not that I am not now) and not take any bullshit!

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