Help I really need advise..

[lottiesmummy]

I am a registered childminder, I've recently (2 weeks ago) started with a new child, NCMA contracts all signed etc and on monday the little girls mum told me she's been told by her work that there is no more work for her from this wed (today) so she wont be bringing the child anymore from then, I put in the contract 4 weeks written notice paid etc as usual, as she wont have a wage from today she can't pay me four weeks notice ( we didnt have a settling in period as the child was very happy coming here so mum said not neccesary) I don't know what to do, she's a single mum and was going to get tax credits but obviously as she's not earning they wont be paying any...

tricky one - normally in the first month of a job, it is a weeks notice/salary but in your contract you have 4 as you both agreed not to have a settling clause.

legally she should pay you,but can understand why you wouldfeel dreadful asking for money, that she hasnt got

I hope you fill the place soon

I would just leave it.

If she doesn't have it she can't give it to you.

And if you leave on good terms then when mum gets a job maybe she will contact you again?

What a sad situation for the mum too.

Contract was agreed, so you can ask for payment for the 4 weeks notice period. However, would the parent be able to pay? You could pursue it through a small claims court, but it probably isn't worth it.
Make sure you get paid for work you have done.

I would just leave it. You are free to work, at something else. You COULD if you yourself were desperate for money go into manpower and get some temp work.

If you extract money from the single mum because you are legally entitled to, you will never be able to forget about this.

I know you need money too, but if you are bigger than you need to be, strictly speaking, you conscience will let it go and the memory won't wrankle for years to come.

The thing is I'm now left with no money to pay my mortgate, which is why most of us work isnt it? to pay the bills... she can go back on benefits I expect untill she finds work, I have nothing.. so unfair, sorry If you don't agree with me but my kids shouldnt have to suffer because of this

im with lotties mum - she works as she has to, i really dont know a way round this - sorry (hug)

What would you have paid your mortgage with if you hadn't taken this child on 2 weeks ago?

To answer WallOfSilence .. I turned another child down to do this so would have had someone else to mind.. they now have someone in place so a no go for me..

by the sound of it the NCMA contracts really arent worth much as if the parents dont have the money to pay the four weeks notice it makes the contract pointless really doesnt it

Well, I guess they're there to protect you & the mum if notice was given, but seeing as the mum didn't have much notice & when she did she informed you, I don't think there is much else you can do.

Has the mum talked about looking for another job? Maybe she will pay you half fee until she gets another job?

she says she's going to look for another job,but how long might that take? she can't afford to pay me anything while not working.. without a childminder she can't get a job and without a job she can't pay me

If you're going to find it difficult to fill the space, is there any way you could help her out? Tell her you will mind dd whilst she goes for interviews etc... if she gives you the c/minding job when she lands a job?

Then she would pay you the money when she is working?

I know its not her fault, I do feeel bad as she's nice and the little girl is lovely, I just have to be realistic and think of how I'm going to pay bills on no wages

thanks for the help x

seems a little strange that her employers didnt give her any more notice then a few days

it does seem unfair that you are out of pocket, and esp if you turned down the other child.

hope you find another child soon to fill your vacancy xx

she was working through an agency. the dept is closing they told her.

It's miserable but it's life, let it go and concentrate on filling the space. She will remember you for being resonable and she is probably in no position to afford to pay you anyway. Most contracts would have a clause covering reduced notice for the first month anyway, so you are in no worse a position than most other childminders in your situation. It is fortunate in a way that it haoppened now and not later on after you and the child had bonded.

LM - I see what you mean - however you are really caught in a very awkward position. The fact remains she won't be able to pay you, and it's up to you whether you want to pursue a potential small claims.

It's not easy whatever you do, you will be losing.

I reckon just probably leave this one, and hope/pray something else comes along quickly.

Hang in there

LM - I see what you mean - however you are really caught in a very awkward position. The fact remains she won't be able to pay you, and it's up to you whether you want to pursue a potential small claims.

It's not easy whatever you do, you will be losing.

I reckon just probably leave this one, and hope/pray something else comes along quickly.

Hang in there

Me and my children have bonded well with her over the last weeks as theyve all been on holiday and all got pretty close, I hope she does get a job fast and we all get back to this, but I really need to sort something fast.

i dont think you can afford to wait for her, just incase she gets a job, plus even if she does get a job,she might not def use you if the hours dont suit

you will have to advertise and hopefully fill the space

im sure she feels just as bad as you do

I'm not going to just wait for her, im advertising like mad now. She said as soon as she has a job etc etc but if im offered other children she would understand if i took them on in the mean time x

Do make sure tax credits know she doesn't pay childcare to you

I've been told on bounty that "tax credits pay 4 weeks cooling off period so she will still have 4 weeks money" anyone heard this?

tax credits told me this too about the cooling off period. I told them i didnt want the extra 4 weeks money cos contract would end on x date and i didnt need the 4 weeks money. Tax credits women said thats how it works now. I asked her if this would count as an overpayment and she said no. I looked through the tax credits website after she told me this and this did seem to be right.