Hi everyone
First of all a bit of background.......
Mindee started with me a week ago on Friday for a 2 hours settling in session. Was given a bottle of milk and told that he'd not eaten much breakfast so the milk was just in case he was hungry and wanted it (I presumed sometimes a fussy eater?!). Near the end of the 2 hours, I changed a soiled nappy and thought it was odd as very very pale and quite loose. When dad collected after the 2 hours I mentioned the nappy and said I just wanted to check it was normal as I thought it looked odd but all children are different in that department. This is when dad said mindee was at the tale end of a bug which is why he's off his food but he's much better but mum was at home very very poorly with it. I quite firmly reminded them of the agreement JUST MADE about sickness etc. and that I CANNOT take children who've been ill with a bug in the last 48 hours (they are used to a nanny and I said that it's not the same for me!)
I wasn't happy at the time but thought 'what can I do, hopefully they won't do that again'.
2 days later people started getting ill. To this day at least 11 of us (children and parents) have had it, the last 2 coming down with it only yesterday. I had to close for 2 days as I caught it (cost me £345 plus a loss of overnight stay which was another £50). After seeking advice on here, I wrote a very very firm letter to all parents reminding them of the rules, informing them I'd informed environmental health etc. I got a reply to this (letter attached via email - all parents have commented on this being preferred communication) from all parents, the mum of the new mindee replied informing me that he'd not been ill in the last 48 hours, last time he was sick was the Tuesday.
I can only pressume they are telling the truth about when he was last sick, and I'll give the benefit of the doubt that he was all clear nappy wise too BUT he was still not eating properly, nothing was mentioned about that at drop off, nothing mentioned about him having a bug until I commented on his nappy etc etc. On top of that, I had several emails during the week before he started, some being the days she now said he had the bug, none of which make any reference to him being at all poorly. She DID make reference to my son (who'd recently been ill with Bronchiolitis) and said how horrible it is when they get poorly - surely this would have been perfect time to pre-warn me of an illness?
What makes me more upset is that in September the mum emailed questions to me and one was asking for what reasons I'd give THEM notice. I made it very very clear that I'd once had to give notice to a family due to pretending their children were not sick when they were (I had evidence so this was fact!).
I just feel that they were 'hiding' the illness. Moreso because other things have come up that they'd 'forgot to mention' before. Aswell as that they are haggling with prices and stuff (but would never give notice for that).
I also have been given some inside information on some things but can't comment on these here as it's a third party saying it.
Right, that was long but hopefully gives you an idea.
As for the email.....I meant attaching a formal letter (my printer ran out of bloomin toner at the weekend with no warning so I'm stuffed for a printed letter atm). But yes, I totally see what you're saying about doing it face to face, it's what I first thought anyway.
I just wish I could get it done tonight and not have to wait until tomorrow (can't do another room as the kids will be eating in the kitchen and the lounge will be busy at pickup time. Well, unless I forewarn other mindees mum and say will have to be swift pick up?)
I wish I could do it on the phone but I'd rather face to face than that as I'll probably be unable to speak lol.
Oh god, I hate these things Will do face to face tomorrow then and follow it up with a letter. Wish me luck!!!