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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Childminder fees

31 replies

CutiePatooties · 09/09/2023 18:07

Hello,

I’m a bit confused by whether this is acceptable/the norm, but my childminder is charging me for a day next month when she has chosen to close for the day. I have to find alternative childcare or DH will have to take a day unpaid, so I don’t think it’s fair that she’s charging me for this. Plus, I still pay if I don’t bring my baby in (like on bank hols) which is in the contract and understandable, but surely it works the same way with her and if she’s telling me she’s closed for a day next month (randomly and with no reason given) surely she can’t then expect payment?

I’ve also asked her if the amount she’s charging me is inclusive of all staff development days (as we’re term time only) and by her calculations it looks like she’s charging me for these days, but she hasn’t responded to my message and I sent it a week ago.

Not sure what to do about her really, but I’m quite miffed about it all. She was brilliant when we first started but it’s like she now knows my baby is settled and we’re unlikely to pull her out and find somewhere else, so she just doesn’t seem to care!

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gemloving · 10/09/2023 18:21

@CutiePatooties I would take my child away from this woman if she chooses to put my child down an hour before nap time and lets him cry. How awful.

Original poster
CutiePatooties · 10/09/2023 18:43

@gemloving yes, I feel the same way but DH said I’m overreacting and that she probably forgot her routine as she hasn’t had her over the summer. However, I wrote her routine out again and put it in her bag last week and I told her when I dropped the baby off, that she sleeps from 2pm-4pm. Then yesterday day time a member of her staff told me she was told to put her in the cot at 1pm and that my baby stood up and walked to the end of the cot crying for her to take her out, but she said she couldn’t take her out as the childminder tells staff to put the babies down and leave them to cry it out. DD goes down fine at 2pm, doesn’t need to cry it out (and we have never folllowed that method anyway). Had she put her down at 2pm like her told her (both written and verbally) she would’ve gone straight to sleep. At 1pm she’s just not tired yet so will obviously cry for an hour. DH just said to remind her of DD’s routine, so with him making out I’m being OTT it made me doubt myself a bit.

OP posts:
jannier · 11/09/2023 10:51

malovitt · 10/09/2023 07:10

Childminders are self employed therefore should not be charging for their own holidays or random days off. It's not right to charge for a service which is not being provided, especially as you will have to pay someone else for that service, therefore paying twice.

The main industry representative who also provides contracts and legal advice etc is Pacey they support and have in their contracts the ability for a childminder to have paid time off. You may personally feel it's not right so would not agree to that in a contract but it doesn't mean it's not allowed. The op needs to find out what was in her contracts and what she agreed to.

jannier · 11/09/2023 10:55

malovitt · 10/09/2023 09:54

Yes, of course childminders write their own contracts but it doesn't make it morally right to charge for a service that is not being provided. As a previous poster said, some childminders like the advantages of being self employed but then demand paid holiday. It's not right and no-one will ever convince me otherwise, no matter how marvellous the childminder is at her job.

Can you tell me what the advantages are of being SE? 3 children full time means earnings before deductions like their pension are around 2 children's fees per hour.

PickledPurplePickle · 11/09/2023 11:19

Ask for a copy of the contract that you signed

jannier · 11/09/2023 16:04

CutiePatooties · 10/09/2023 18:43

@gemloving yes, I feel the same way but DH said I’m overreacting and that she probably forgot her routine as she hasn’t had her over the summer. However, I wrote her routine out again and put it in her bag last week and I told her when I dropped the baby off, that she sleeps from 2pm-4pm. Then yesterday day time a member of her staff told me she was told to put her in the cot at 1pm and that my baby stood up and walked to the end of the cot crying for her to take her out, but she said she couldn’t take her out as the childminder tells staff to put the babies down and leave them to cry it out. DD goes down fine at 2pm, doesn’t need to cry it out (and we have never folllowed that method anyway). Had she put her down at 2pm like her told her (both written and verbally) she would’ve gone straight to sleep. At 1pm she’s just not tired yet so will obviously cry for an hour. DH just said to remind her of DD’s routine, so with him making out I’m being OTT it made me doubt myself a bit.

How old is baby? Most transition to one nap a day around 14 months and parents don't eat the sleeping that late?

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