Childminders - Is it worth me chasing this money? Long sorry!

[KaySamuels]

My awol mindee's mum has not paid me.

She contacted me saying would have to hand her notice in as new job not started and couldn't afford to keep paying me. I explained it would be 4 weeks notice in writing and full fees, by which time mum would have started her new job, so I offered to let her pay half fees for 4wks, then full fees again after that which she was pleased with.

Got retainer agreement all typed up and she didn't show, then arranges to come another day and doesn't show (this happened twice), then tells me she has posted it, doesn't turn up and is now saying will have to borrow it again and will bring me it.

I am just being fobbed off, I get my hopes up and then there is no sign of it. My bank balance is dire, can't get OD increased, grr.

Only have dad's address on contracts and they have split and don't have mum's new address.

The mum also seems to think she just owes me a weeks fees and £50, but it would be 4 weeks fees I would claim for through small claims - BUT IS IT WORTH IT????? aargh!

Sorry that's not very clear, I am owed one week fees, then it would have been four weeks @ £50, but as agreement is not signed and mum not returning it is one weeks fees, and then the four weeks notice fees.

Yes i think you should chase it. I know it's must be a right hassle, but why should she get away without paying you.

If it comes down to the small claims court, I bet she will pay up straight away.

How will I/they get her address though?

It is the hassle of it that's putting me off, I have so much to deal with at the moment...
but just worked out she actually will owe me £450+ rather than what I am currently failing to get from her.

Will the Ex give you the address? Has she changed her Mobile number?

Hmm not sure about the ex, he might do.

Still has mobile number but isn't going to give me new address as small claims already been mentioned!

Aargh - need to head off to pick up ds but am going to call NCMA later if I get any time!

Thanks for replying L2B

From experience the NCMA legal team will do all the chasing for the new address (they will even contact the ex if it is his child!)

It is really worth it, I have gone to small claims twice now and won both times

Good luck

Not sure about this but technically can you chase Dad as his name is on the contract and let him chase her on your behalf as it were?

Yes you should definately pursue this....why should you lose £450.

Let us know how you get on with NCMA.

Ooh that's encouraging booh.

I have so mu on my plate that I feel overwhelmed adding this onto it, but I could really do with the money, and it makes me really that the parent can mess me around like this!

Shall I write everything down before I call NCMA? Never had to do this before.

philmassive - not sure about the dad, I wanted to update the contract with just mum and contact details, but it kept getting put off by the mum, but yes both names are still signed on it and therefore it still stands.

I am in Scotland so had to chase my AWOL parent throught the SCMA legal team (ha what a joke)

I had to most of the work myself eg find out her new workplace and the like.

Ended up not getting any money back anyway. I was owed £350. I prob wouldn't bother next time it happens to me.

I hope you have better luck with the NCMA xx

Well rang the ncma helpline and left a messge to be called back.

Have morning off due to mindee illness so am trying to tackle the to do list that's keeping me awake at night!

am in the same situation. am owed £1000 for fees in arrears. shd not have agreed to this in the first place. had to call NCMA for help. hopes it works out fo u.

I sued through small claims for money I was owed from AWOL parent (about £300). It was easy to do through online small claims court and I won the judgement. However despite this they did not pay. I then sent the Bailiffs to get the money but they were unsuccessful over the 12 months they tried because 'the person who answered the door would not confirm who they were' therefore bailiffs could not proceed!

I never did get my money and it cost me about £120 for court and bailiffs but I'm glad I did it as I didn't want them to think they had just gotten away with it and she now has a CCJ against her.

Could you leave her a message explaining the next step is small claims court and see if that gets a reaction. I would be tempted to get a friend to call her mobile pretending to be your lawyer and explaining the next step will be small claims. But perhaps I'm being too sneaky!

Have already said about a fortnight ago that I would go to small claims court, still no money! The parent told me I wasn't being understanding I offered her half fees for 4 weeks, and have never charged her late payment fees and has paid me late far too regularly.!

London11 you situation is what worries me.

NCMA called me back and said I should the dad a letter anif no reply in 14 days call them back and they will send me a claim pack.

Agalchangedhername how did you find out parent's new address?? as think this will speed things up for me!

I tried to chase £234 that was owed to me in arrears when an arrangement ended suddenly, and it was pointless. I tried to take her to court through ncmas solicitors, and all I got back was 'no one is at this address anymore please find out where your claimant lives '. I still see her about now, 2 yrs later, ut what am I meant to do follow her home to find out where she moved to ?
I would say go for it, if even just to teach her a lesson. but in my experience don't expect to get your money back x

chankins I know what you mean - I am quite doubtful I will get anything. Like you say I don't have the time or the super sleuth skills to follow her

You have to decide if its worth the stress. Lots of people told me they had got money back, but then some parents will get that first threatening letter and pay up right away, as well others won't give a f. It drives me mad everyt ime I see this woman, she drives around in a massive brand new 4x4, and when I minded for her wore new clothes every week while her kids clothes were falling to bits.#Anyway, yhat enough of me, I been in the bar !
I would say go for it, because if you do nothing she may very quickly treat another cm the same, but def don't get your hopes up !
Hope your pg is going well x

I'm not pg chankins (think I am one of the very few us us one here who aren't) - do look quite pg at the mo though!

I honestly don't know if it is worth the stress as I have a lot going on, but very indigant about being ripped off like this.

whoops I have got you confused with someone else haven't i ?
there is another kay who is pg !
Ooohhhh so sorreeeeee !
silly me x good luck with chasing money hope you get it

Another kay? Ooh not noticed will keep an eye out! Loads of cms on here are pg at the mo so thought it was from that! Don't worry x

Kay i only found out her address because a fellow minder actually knew her. It was her db's step-daughter. Sorry x