Am I being unreasonable ?

[ScotsBird]

I am really not sure if I am being unreasonable or not ... on Friday past I bumped into my childminder in the park and she mentioned to me that on Wednesday of this week she had to go to dd1's parents' evening. Apparently she wants to see all of her teachers, and what with getting ready, picking up dd2 from school and getting a cab to dd1's school she wanted me to pick up dd at 2pm. As I run courses at work I am obviously unable to up and leave on days when I am teaching so I mentioned that I couldnt do it, but would see if dh could - he cannot. I phoned her this morning adn she says that she can get one of the other minders to take my dd for the afternoon, but that she will now be over her numbers so will not be insured.

I feel a bit annoyed that a) my childminder didnt let me know about this until 5 days before (at a chance meeting) and b) that she seemed annoyed when I told her that neither dh or I culd pick dd up as early as 2pm.

Am I being unreasonable ?? Please put my mind at rest !!

oke doke

sorry for hi-jack

Sorry

KM and KMac, I agree with you both re childminders checks.

I just wish there was a check made on parents who come to us as sometimes the most normal parents are the ones who are always late, don't pay on time or think you're nothing more than a glorified babysitting service.....references for parents from previous carers would be a great thing!

THAT SOUNDS A BRILL IDEA SSD

oops sorry typing one hsanded while eating tea

Sorry, had nightly bedtime thing to do with DD - soundly in bed, thank god!

I totally agree with regular checks and the thing about good reports lasting a longer time between checks.

Liked the thinking about personal circumstances changing like boyfriend of CM, etc. I think that is a valid point. I always ask a CM what their, DH,DP, older kids do for a living, if they live in, etc before making my mind up about leaving my 2yr old with them.

My childminder asked me if I wanted to pay a retainer fee for DD's place when I was between jobs last month. She charges half rate, but I suppose that changes from CM to CM and area.

Also, wasnt aware that authorities didnt check drivers licence, car seats, etc. Thought it would have been part of the check?

My DH is a teacher and I only have mindees from his school {it is a private school and I only work during school terms}

So families know him better than me

If they did inspect car seats they would know that another mumsnetter had to have her child in centre seat.

Don't you guys ask for references from your parents' previous childminders? Like, does she show up on time? Does she dump off the kids knowing they are sick and not tell me? Do the kids come dressed appropriately for planned activities and weather?

If someone had asked me for the this on my very first childminder hunt, I might have been taken a bac a bit, but if it was explained that a previous parent had abused what should be common courtesy, I would have minded too much digging up a reference. But, then again if it's a first baby I could have come up with anything.

I wonder if it would be helpful for you to add a clause into the contract that addresses penalties for these issues. Nurseries certainly do this. Although, it is worth keeping in mind that some of your clients probably use you instead of a nursery specifically because nurseries do this.

I hope this is helpful and I''m not just rambling on...

Sorry, meant to say
"... would not have minded too much digging up a reference..."

mine have all been first babies

So I tell them what they need to bring eg nappies, milk, wipes, etc

It is all in contract and agreed beforehand.

Do you give a reference to your new au pair before she arrives of what you are like as an employer?

I'm just popping into this thread to say how sorry I am that you've had bad experiences with parents. I know lots of parents don't take their childminders seriously, but honestly lots of us do really rate the care we're getting, and wouldn't dream of assuming, for instance, that we can exploit the service we're getting. On the very VERY rare occasions I've worried about being late to pick my girls up (because of a train!) I've phoned, and I pay without question if our CM is working and we're off, and until very recently I was actually paid up a week in advance!

And now I'm off to write an article about childminders