How to deal with childminder claiming children are sick

[BernardButlersBra]

Started with a childminder a while back, children have not done a full month in this time as she keeps on messaging asking for us to pick them up as they are "ill". This isn't their first childcare provider and are toddlers now, so it isn't the "we've just started going to childcare and we catch everything going" phase. Plus we have a clear understanding of whether they are sick or not e.g. today it was because they were coughing and another child had an upset stomach the other day.

Husband and l have used up all of our emergency leave and annual leave, yesterday she decided she wasn't having them back for the rest of the week. So we have had to take unpaid leave. Currently tempted to take them to the doctors but obviously that is a waste of NHS resources as they are fine or turn out with a thermometer every time we get summoned.

If the child had an upset stomach that seems fair enough. Did the other child have a cough or other symptoms.

It sounds like they actually were unwell and not just your childminder claiming this but you haven’t given much detail.

They can’t be responsible for you not having enough leave to cover sickness but if you genuinely feel they’re being inflexible or fobbing you off then you can challenge that or try and move them.

It’s not my child who had the upset stomach -it was a totally different child.

@Ibizaonmymind plus assuming they were ill, then how does she know they would be ill the rest of the week?!

Did they have a fever?

If you think the kids are well, your childminder is taking the piss, and you need a new one.

If the kids are actually ill, you will just have to keep juggling the leave.

Certain illnesses require children to stay at home for X number of days after.

Sorry... she asked you to pick your child up early because another child had an upset stomach?!

Yep. We were polite and resisted the urge to say “and that’s my problem how?!”

She’s taking the piss.

Part of caring for children is judging risk. Blanket policies are poor.

@Nickyknackered lm aware of the 48 rule for diarrhoea and vomiting. But they don’t have those symptoms and it’s way over 48 hours

Many places have that for fever too, did your child have a fever?

I fully expect to be annihilated for this but my honest answer would be to use a nursery, everyone I know who uses a childminder has had an identical experience. <waits for the flurry of angry childminders insisting THEY don’t do that …>

That is crazy!

The only possible reason for this I can think is that the other child had pooed/been sick everywhere and she had to close the whole setting to clear up/avoid a biohazard.

If it wasn't that, then I'd start looking for other childcare.

Why on earth was she sending all the children home if one had an upset stomach? Was it her own child?

No fever or even temperature

Our thoughts too

What did she say when you asked what her reasoning is then?

Unclear. Due to confidentiality she doesn’t say. But it’s an interesting theory it’s one of her children

I assume you wont pay her for the sick days?

What are her policies? I’d call her bluff & point out that, as she isn’t providing a childminding service for several days this week, you won’t be paying her for those days this week.

FURTHER INFO FOR CLARIFICATION RE SYMPTOMS

Neither children have coughed since they got home yesterday, no fever or diarrhoea / vomiting. One has a slightly runny nose. Ate big portions of food at each meal. Slept well

@ToKittyornottoKitty she said they had a cough. No cough before they went yesterday and none today 🤷‍♀️

Unfortunately we only don’t pay if she’s sick. So yeah we have to pay

That’s what my husband wants to do.

I would refuse for the days she has sent your child home....cf if another child not yours was ill!!!