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...

Parent should not have agreed a contract that states 4 weeks notice if she cannot afford to pay it. Regardless of the job.

I get so annoyed with people who do this.

I took a single mum to court and won 50% of my money. This may upset some people but it seems that some single parents don't want to be treated any differently until it comes to playing on it and then they play the single parent card.

Childminding is a business like a nursery and I am damn sure the nursery would charge. You have a legally binding contract and you are entitled to the money.

It seems some think I'm not, I have a mortgage to pay and two children to feed and clothe, she agreed the contract as you say, she said she was paid by cheque by the agency and will get me the money this wednesday... I will never be doing this again as my husband has banned me from childminding as its the parents who take the P why should we suffer for this? as you also said a nursery would charge the months fee

I won't give up childminding as I do enjoy it but I changed the way i run my business and i work more like a nursery. All my parents pay a month in advance and are charged 5 pound a day if the payment is late. I only accept cash or bank transfer which has to clear into my account before the 1st of the month. I will not accept a cheque under any circumstances as these are two easy to stop. If you used an ncma contract call the legal advice line they were very helpful and gave me a great deal of support. You are totally within your rights to be paid that money and you have bills to pay too I am sure people think we do this job for the fun of it. Good luck i hope you get your money

Thank you xxx