CM Club: Just as a matter of interest how many times have you given notice & why?

[KatyMac]

I've been thinking about yesterday

& wondered how many children you had all looked after over how many years
& how many you have given notice to

I am about to work it out for me & I'll post when I have

Have been minding for 4 yrs, never given notice but came very very close earlier last year.

Of mindees that I have at the moment:

Mindee 1 has been with me for 4 yrs
Mindee two for three yrs
Mindees 3 & 4 (siblings ) for 18 months
and Mindee 5 for 10 months.

Previous mindees have lasted anything from 2 days to 3 yrs.

Very early in my cm career, I kinda just lost a client! Back then, there were not many rules ad regulations! I had been rushed to hospital having had an ectopic and the mother was on the phone to my dh everyday, asking when I was working again! She was an awful client anyway and questioned every single hour I worked, even when I showed her my register. (We didn't have sign in, sign out in those days!) Always late, expecting me to not charge her when I didn't have her son etc. I think the last time she called, (still only a week out of hospital!) my dh told her to sod off! I think I lost a couple of hundred pound, but I didn't bother chasing it!

Apart from that, never in 11 years! I'm a hard taste master and its my way or the highway!

I have remembered 55 children (so far Dh & I are still working on it) that's in 4 yrs 9 months

I have given notice 6 times (I think)

Child was ill & parent didn't come & get them
Child (10) acted dangerously & I refused to take a risk - then took them back on & she did it again - so I gave notice again
Children (x2)moved over 45 mins away & I gave notice because I felt the traveling was not necessary (or appropriate)for the children
Baby wouldn't stop crying - suggested a nanny after 4 months
Baby wouldn't stop crying - gave up yesterday (after 7 months)as my staff were going to walk out

I'm vicious & mean aren't I?

Minding for 2 and half yrs

Mindee 1 - with me for 1 yr 7 months (moved to school too far away)

Mindee 2&3 - with me 3 months (gave notice due to one of the siblings having bad behaviour that wouldn't change and other mindee would have ended up giving notice because of it)

Mindee 4 - with me 4 months, had to give notice when ds went to nursery as in totally different area

Mindee 5 - been with me nearly 2 yrs but leaving shortly due to me giving notice (you know why )

Mindee 6 - was with me for 10 months then moved away from the area

Mindee 7 - was with me very short time as needed to increase days and I was full so went to nursery. Coming back shortly for adhoc care whilst mum is on maternity leave, this is 2 yrs after having them

Mindee 8 - was with me 4 months when other childminder couldn't do extra day. Other childminder went on maternity leave and I couldn't do extra days so all agreed best to find new minder to do all days required

Mindee 9 - sibling of mindee 5, been with me for nearly a year, leaving soon as gave notice for same reason as sibling, I think you know why.

Mindee 10 - been with me for 7 months

Mindee 11 - been with me for 8 months

I HOPE I've covered them all. I didn't want to put the reason why I gave notice to siblings as they are on that notice period now but I think you know all about it anyway

I dread to think how many children I have looked after, in the 100's.

I have given notice 6 times.

4 Times because of the parents, constant late pick up and late payment.

1 a baby who never ever would let me put her down, like Katy suggested a nanny.

1 a pair of twins, who would not listen to a word I said, pushed and hit the younger children, swore, and refused to eat anything i served. (and the mother constantly picked up late and paid late, nightmare family)

I always agonise over it - I always feel so guily

Me too!

i've been registered for 2yrs next month and have so far never given notice BUT

mindee 1 left last year as the mum's friend started minding so she sent mindee there as sibling was already going there - i was sooo upset and we miss mindee BUT he maybe coming back as ad-hoc YIPEE although my friends say i should tell his mum to feck off!!!

I've looked after 64 children in 6 years. Most have left because of change in jobs (or losing job) or moving house. I've never given notice but have come close twice:

• child cried/screamed continually and never settled. The child was breastfed 4 times in an hours interview with mum, so I think other forms of comfort just wouldn't do! As it was only a short-term arrangement I saw it through but would have had to give notice otherwise
• 11 year old boy would start fights/disruption. eg sat on 2 year old's head. As I was discussing with parent he got in fight with ds, which shocked the parent and we mutually agreed not to continue contract.

I have looked after 18 mindees in 4 years and have only given notice once, although sometimes feel like jacking it all in and sitting on the sofa all day (whilst living in cardboard box due to poverty of course, but would take sofa with me ) Reason for giving notice: parents always late collecting, refusing to pay for extra time, didn't stick to contract, ie wanted me to have mindee on non-contract days if mindee did not come on contract days (to get their money's worth basically)

Am thinking of giving notice to one family soon. Feel bad about it, as the mindee in question is well-behaved and very sweet, but very part-time. Have been offered more hours with another family who live 6 doors down from me. It would make a big difference to my family financially. I am going to recommend a friend who has a vacancy. Hopefully that will make it easier. Am feeling guilty though