Advice on fees

[Autumnrose9]

Hi everyone my child goes to a childminder a couple of days a week while I'm at work.

I pay weekly which is what the childminder requested .

Now our area has gone into tier four so my work is shut. But the childminder is saying she is allowed to open but will not be allowing any of the children into her home during the tier 4 lockdown. But we have to still pay?

This doesn't really sit right with me. Is the childminder allowed to do this?

If I have
to pay for her place because the childminder is staying open surely I should be able to send my daughter there ?

(Based in Scotland btw if that changes anything)

Thanks

Hi not sure if Scotland is any different to England but the CMA has stated it’s unlawful For childcare providers to charge parents for childcare spaces when the parents are unable to access it as the childcare provider is shut. If she is closed she should not be charging, I am a childminder and she is taking the piss, the only time I don’t charge is if I close, if parents choose not to attend then full fees will still be charged.

What does your contract say OP? That's always your first port of call.

It's very unlikely your childminder can legally charge for a place she says isn't available. She isn't providing a service.

OP I found this for you - www.parentclub.scot/articles/your-guide-childcare

"Registered childminders, however, can remain open for all children."

Which is also on the Scottish government website -
www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-childcare-provision-from-26-december-to-18-january/

If she refuses to take your child then do not pay her as she should be open and taking children.

The contact says to pay if open. Which is fine but she's refusing children in her setting so surely the childminder can't be open? And expect to get paid for doing nothing.

Thank you for your advice will have a look at the websites.

I can totally understand the childminder is worried given the situation. But it's also feels very unfair for parents to pay for something we can't use.

Contract not contact 😴

She is allowed to open yet she is choosing not to open and as such surely that means she's closed?
Being allowed to open and actually being open are 2 different things.
You shouldn't be paying if she isn't providing the service.