CMs - no pay for notice - WWYD?

[chel86]

Had to make decision to give notice for mindee because my kids weren't happy. I needed to devote a lot of my attention to mindee basically for various reasons.

Handed a formal letter of nitce Tuesday and explained the reasons, but that it's not specific to mindee, I have made the decision not to take on mindees under a certain age for the happiness of my own kids.

She had paid up til then end of this week anyway, but today turned up, has obviously taken offence at my notice, blamed my DD (21 months old!!!!) told me I wouldn't be seeing mindee again and that she will pay next week only. I reminded her that it's 4 weeks notice, but she said tough and I can inform who I want.

£420 outstanding - should I be thankful that she's at least paid me another week or do I pursue it? I have concerns about the welfare of this child as well, so don't know what to do for the best, as ultimately if I pursue it I'm taking money away from the mindee (well, parents).

Oh lord Chel, thats a tough one. How badly do you need the money? Do you want her to have the upper hand? And how long would it take to persue and get the money owed? Those are the questions that basically you have to ask yourself.

For starters-if you have concerns about the welfare of the child you should be contacting the Duty and Assessment team.

If you gave her 4 weeks notice in writing then she should be paying you for 4 weeks notice.

Mmm it does seem unfair to demand she pay you for 4 weeks of childcare without getting it. It is your choice to stop, why should she pay for it? Is this another double standard that CM seem to want? Self employed but demand holiday pay??

My contracts states that (i am a CM) 4 weeks notice must be given on either side. I think Chel is saying that shes happy to work the notice period and get paid. The mum should pay the 4 weeks notice Chel but not much point pursueing it tbh.

I have done in the past and got bugger all and

Oh, I get it now.

Well i think that is what Chel is saying?? Could be wrong of course lol

The notice is to protect the parents as well. The space is still available to mindee and will be until the 4 weeks notice is up, providing she pays. As she's paid for next week then the space is available for mindee and I cannot fill it. Likewise, if she does miraculously pay me for the remainer of the notice period then I have to be available to mind him. The point is I am available and I am offering a service. Under the terms of the contract it is only when I cannot not provide a service that I don't get paid.

It's just come at a crucial time as we are buying our first house so could really do with the money, but on the other hand we struggled through before and can do again. And there is always the chance of filling the space, but calls have been pretty quiet lately.

Regarding his welfare, I am pretty certain that this is an issue that is already being addressed by the appropriate people. Should I just call up and make my concerns known to add to the list?

Just to make it clear I do intend to work my full notice period, and if I pursue this then the space will still be available for mindee until notice period is up.

Hmmm this is akin to one of you giving your boss 4 week's notice only for them to turn around and say "Well actually you can leave now without any notice!"

Childminders may well be self employed but they also have mortgages, overheads and living expenses to pay.

My childminder asked for a months deposit from us to avoid this situation. I thought that was fair enough. Could you do this with your next mindee?

• and yes under the Every Child Matters agenda and the The Children Act, you should not assume that the child's needs have already been picked up by somebody else.

I'm surprised you haven't already made a referral to the D&A team in line with child protection procedures.

The concerns have only been recent and I have tried speaking to the parents about certain issues and recording them all. I obviously can't say too much but a friend of mine works with child protection and new of mindee when I took them on, so I know that they are already aware of them. What I suppose I am asking is if I call and add to their list. Stupid question as I know as I'm typing this that the answer is yes!

Before I get jumped on I haven't been discussing mindee. Far from it!

And the concerns I have are not major. I sought help and support for the family, but am worried that this won't continue now that mindee is not in my care. So I did do everything by the book!