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Paid childcare

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

Flip

Original poster

CM CLUB- what would you do????

13 replies

smeeinit · 12/04/2008 19:48

im getting very very irriatted!

the story goes...........

i had a child start with me last monday, i only met the parents and child the previous week so dont have a relationship built with them yet, initially they wanted 5 days a week and thats what the contract is signed for, the child came for a bit of settling in (5 hours a day!) each day last week and is a very difficult child,wont go into too much detail but it has disrupted the other childrens routine quite drasticly. anyhoooo midweek im "kinda" informed in a roundabout way that they will only wnat me 2 days a week, ok i think to myself,child is very difficult so may not be a bad thing (wink) but even so i feel messed around.
anyway my main grievance is that my fees should be (as stated in contract) be paid on the childs first day with me in ADVANCE,i.e fees for this week were due monday, ive been told i would get them thurs then fri and ive had nothing!
i was then told this morning that they would be dropped round today..............NOTHING!
i feel like something isnt right here and have cold feet about the whole situatiion, what would you do???

p.s sorry its a bit of an essay!

OP posts:

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Original poster

smeeinit · 12/04/2008 19:56

come on cms!!!!!!!

OP posts:

KatyMac · 12/04/2008 19:59

Sorry smeeinit

Do you have 4 weeks settling in - if so you can't whinge about the change in hours (though I would too)

About paying - I would phone and ask for the 2 weeks money (or whatever it is) to be brought round on Monday AM & if they don't give them a letter saying no thanks on Monday evening tbh

OFSTEDoutstanding · 12/04/2008 19:59

Did you give a settling in period in your contract?
If so get rid now and cut your losses anyone that plays you around on the first week ime is going to do it forever!
I had one family sign with me one session a week never paid any money for first 2 weeks of settling in so I let them go I have later found out that the mother has registered as a cm so I am left thinking it was a very clever/cheap/quick way to get all her policies written as they obviously got copies of mine when they signed!!

Original poster

smeeinit · 12/04/2008 20:04

no katy, no settling in period as child was supposed to start full time last monday.
settling in period or not ive still turned away 3 vacancy enquiries this week as child was supposed to be full time!

OO thats exactly my feeling ,that if they do it on week one they will keep doing it. and very

OP posts:

OFSTEDoutstanding · 12/04/2008 20:13

Then I say definitely cut your losses and give notice. If you have had 3 enquiries this week alone you will soon fill the space did you keep any of their contact numbers in case a space became available?

looneytune · 12/04/2008 20:16

I'm with OO - not a good sign if they start off like this!

KatyMac · 12/04/2008 20:19

Give up

Ring the other children

I always take the number of any enquiries even if I have no space...just in case

Original poster

smeeinit · 12/04/2008 20:51

thanks guys.
I do have the numbers of other enquirys so am going to get onto that monday morning.
So do i pop a letter of immediate notice thro their door tomorrow? I feel v angry!

OP posts:

KatyMac · 12/04/2008 20:59

Tricky

I reckon if they don't pay on Monday - all that they owe - hand them the letter & refuse the child?

Gosh it is hard isn't it

Original poster

smeeinit · 12/04/2008 21:03

it is really hard init?!
I have decided that unless they have a very good reason for not paying then i wont be taking the child back.

OP posts:

MindingMum · 13/04/2008 11:08

Parents who mess you about plus 'difficult' child - GET RID!!

vInTaGeVioLeT · 13/04/2008 11:17

the child is "difficult" and "disruptive"
the parents are messing you around in the first week

tell them it's not working out "SORRY"

lucky escape

ayla99 · 13/04/2008 16:02

If you've signed a contract you have to honour the notice period if you are giving notice to them.

As they have signed the contract, to drop to 2 days a week they are effectively giving notice on the current contract and should have to pay for 5 days a week for the notice period whether or not they use it. If you were to renew it you wouldn't start the new 2 day contract until the current contract's notice period has ended.

However, in view of the non-payment and the fact the child hasn't settled as well as expected I would give notice and ring back the other enquirers (always ask for contact details even if you don't have space, you just never know when an existing family is going to move/change jobs etc).

One of the benefits of having a settling in period is not just to make sure you can meet the needs of the child but also to check the parent can pay promptly, collect on time etc before you are tied to the full terms of your contract.

Flip