Any childminders here worried about closing due to Corona virus?

[Gottalovesummer]

It's a very fast moving situation but it's looking more likely that some schools/nurseries at least will shut.

I'm worried that I may have to shut either because of a suspected case amongst of my mindees/their families/my own family, or if all childcare providers are directed to close by Public Health England.

Anyone else worried?

I was just thinking about this earlier OP. I'm not overly worried, I will still get paid if the children's parents make the decision to keep them home, but if I make the decision to close, I won't. If schools and nurseries shut, I don't know whether I should also close.

Don’t even give it a 2nd thought. We'll all be fine. Worst case increase the rates until it all settles down. Concerned parents will pay it.

Yes I'm worried.

Talking to friends today the feeling is that if they close schools they will do it around the school holidays. I'm hoping that it won't come to us closing but this could be the straw which breaks the camel's back and if I have to close I'm not sure I want to reopen.

Please, and this is meant nicely, stop listening to “friends” who have no idea, listen to actual government advice and stop panicking.

No I’m not. Only because I’ve made the decision to just take it a day at a time otherwise I will drive myself crazy with worry. I can’t control it so am taking sensible precautions & will carry on as normally as possible. I will just have to try to manage any financial impact which I guess is a big concern for most of us.

I am not overly worried but do feel it’s just a matter of time before it’s more widespread. I have advised all parents that fees will still be charged in full as in accordance to my sickness policy. If the parents or any one else if there house hold as been in contact or been to an infected any and they have to self isolate then I will notbe accepting there child and full fees still due. If am told to shut via public health, government then full fees will also be charged. I have one parent who has no respect for me or others in regards to illness so if I discover they have knowingly sent in an infectious child there contract will be terminated with immediate affect as they are on last warning.

@Strictly1972 I'm with you! Taking it day by day, and I'll only close if I really have to!

The Government has announced that funding for the Early Years entitlement will continue to be paid during closures:

www.gov.uk/government/news/free-childcare-offers-to-continue-during-coronavirus-closures?utm_source=81af3210-cd22-496a-9f51-1c72514c14e8&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

Yes this is great news.