CM CLUB: Chlidminders (and NannyNick;-) ), can you give me a bit of advice here please

[ROSEgarden]

the child whom i have one day per week and have done for almost a year now has not turned up this week, his mum has not answered my texts, or her phone and they havent given me a home number.

i sent one text at weekend requesting hours(this is usual, i always have to chase up), then one the next day saying i hadnt had reply, can they send hours and that x day was now unavailable as i was asked to have emergency child.

i have not heard anything(since last week when they collected as normal)

Hoping that something awful hasnt hapepnd to anyone in family..but i have no idea whats going on?

I am owed a fee from them which is substantial(in my world) and have no means of getting in touch to speak.

i think i must write to them invoicing them and telling them i assume the lack of contact means they wish to terminate agreement then remind them their contract requires x weeks notice to be paid...

any tips?, anyone done this? or anya dvice on how to do it?

would appreciate it guys

Do you know where they live?

yeah i have their home address, their family live on my road, but i dont feel i should contact them, my aggreement is with the mum?!

No, fair enough, but you could ask if everything is OK with her, because you are genuinely concerned. You could ask if they have another contact number for her, because she's not answering her mobile and you're starting to get worried. Not unreasonable, I don't think to ask a third party, rather than steam in with both feet! You could say all that.

'Sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if X was OK, only I haven't heard from her and I didn't want to keep on texting her, if she's not well or somethings happened.'

i dont think i could get a way with that with this family..and if they havent been in touch..to me that only says one thing

Yeah, it certainly sounds like it. Very naughty too. So, a letter it is then.

Dear X

Hope everything is OK, as I haven't been able to contact you for xx days now and I really need to know what your plans are for the foreseeable future. I really need to have some solid arrangements in place for (childs name), as I have been approached by another family that also need care for their child and I cannot agree anything with them, until I know what your plans are.

I would appreciate a call, as soon as possible, so that we can both organise our working days.

In the meantime, please find enclosed my invoice for xxx, which as you will see is now overdue and I would therefore appreciate payment, by return.

A reminder of my terms and conditions, are also enclosed, should you decide that you no longer need my services.

Yours

that sounds good Mo, not as personal as i was feeling i would put..i will include a copy of thier contract hi lightin gthe area showing notice period.

I have just sent a last text saying xx please contact me asap as i need to know what is happening with xxx.
doubt ill hear back, so will draw up a leter tomorrow night and send sat morn

OH! and another thing, you know i just got a grant for doing my EYFS..well i spent £130 of it on a double buggy to accomodate THIS mindee as he comes same day as baby!.........NOW i dont farking need it!..£130 down the drain thanks very much, i could have carried on loaning them for the times i needed now

I've got a double buggy which was from a grant many years ago, which rarely use too! At least you've got it now though. You've got a fair few years of this job, I'm sure, so at least you wont need to worry about spending out on one again, shold you need it.

i know i know, i just could have bought the tampoline i wanted for them tho ..ah well..sh*t happens..just gott sort out what to do next now..write letter today???

have done letter using yours (mo) as template.including that if she ISNT bringing him back she will be billed each week until i recieve wriiten notice to terminate contract..dp is going to post it through their door in morning..i so hope nothing has happend..but what else can i do?..theyre not answering my calls/texts, what am i meant to think? although there is absolutely NO reason for her to NEED to keep him away??????????????????

Jolly good. That's why I was being a bit friendly in the letter. They may be a good reason why she hasn't been in touch and also you don't want to put her back up too much, because she will just retaliate and get arsey amount payments.

Right, well dp took letter included was invoice and contract this morning...he said all blinds were closed and both vehicles were on the front(or close as they dont have a drive)???????????????????????????????????????

Dp still posted it, as even if theyve gone away and all IS well, theyve still shown utter disregard for me and NOT payed me!....

whatever the reason, i dont think he'll be back and i may have to renew my ncma membership now to get them to fight for the money

never had to give written notice to a client before what do i write? want to keep it short and sweet