Terminating Childminder, Advise required!

[larryson]

Hi all,

We need some advise on a current situation about terminating our contract with our childminder.

We switched childminder provider to one that is more conveniently located to our home. We went by her place a while back and signed the documents 2 months back.

Fast forward till today, it has been the first two weeks, spending 4 days a week. However, my daughter, which is 17 months old, has a real trouble adjusting. She has been ill since starting with this childminder, and one occasion she came home with no voice from all the crying. On the same day, the childminder messaged to us to pick up earlier than the agreed time.

None of this happened with the prior childminder. We also had a student covering during the prior childminder's holiday and everything went smoothly.

We are very concern over the well being continuing with the same childminder, as she has been screaming at night and her personality has changed drastically.

The issue we have is around the contract and notice period. The childminder would like us to still pay for the 4 week and if we choose not to bring her there there is a 20% discount. We can't afford to pay her 80% of her fee and pay the former childminder.

What rights do we have here given that it is evident that this relationship is not working out? There is no break clause. And we are concern of the long term damage this could have if she should continue with this childminder. In addition, she is only taking care of two children, my daughter and someone else, so this isn't an issue of attention.

@lillyson
Shes 17 months....New stage developmentally dir attachment.....that you have not supported by already having had 2 former childminders (do you mean childminders as in registered by ofsted childminders in addition to the 2 unqualified babysitting students). Two childcare changes already plus lockdown...when did you return to work 6 weeks after birth or are we talking 2 childcare collapses in 7 months (alarms bells either way) children need to bond with their childcare (hence the true purpose of key workers) to buil confidence and resilience by chopping and changing you are not supporting that bond no wonder why she is distraut being left with another stranger. I think you need to look closer to home if you want to know why you now have a problem......and an easy going dump with anyone child is the not always a good sign either.

Just because you signed a contract doesn't always mean you're bound by its terms. It might not be properly drafted and stand up to legal scrutiny. Only the courts can decide.

If you're not happy with the service, leave and pay what you feel is a fair fee and let her take you to court.

To be honest, I think your childminder has dodged a bullet with you!

Me too. The kind of client all childminders dread. My twenty year career was ended by someone like this who made a false accusation against me (ended because my confidence was destroyed, not because I was guilty of the accusations).

No advice to you OP other than to say read contracts before you sign them and try to treat people fairly always. As someone else said, childminders talk and you don't want to get a reputation.