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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

new mindee, I have a few moans

27 replies

clankypanky · 30/11/2009 13:59

My new mindee started last week. I have her every day for 6 hours. Shes a lovely little girl, very happy and affectionate, a little behind verbally but a bright spark neverthless. The first time I ever held her I noticed a strong smell of wee. She is nearly 2 and still in nappies. My son is the same age and still in nappies also so I cant understand why she smells of wee, its very strong. I think the Mum has a few hygiene issues tbh with you. I noticed the first day i looked after her that her clothes were dirty and when I took her shoes off her tights were sticky and filthy on the bottom. 3 days later she was wearing the same tights and they still hadnt been washed.
The thing is, I dont think she is a neglected child, I just think the Mum has different standards to me...Im in no way a clean freak but I dont think Id send my lo to a childminders in dirty clothes. Also, she knows that she is to provide nappies wipes etc,but she only ever sends 1...2 at most. Today, she didnt send any! The other thing is that the lunch she sends is a bit rubbish....today was a big stodgy white bun and a pack of mini cheddars. So far this has been a pretty standard lunch. I feel really bad because we will be eating our nice lunch and she wants some of ours so I keep giving her some because otherwise I feel mean.
How would you approach the Mum about these things without upsetting her? She also had a mishaped toe which looks to me like it is because of wearing shoes too small for her. One of her toenails had all but disappeared and the half that was left was poking out about half a cm too long. I told the Mum about it last week but this week I cut it myself because she ahdnt done it and it looked painful.
Last moan...I asked to be paid in advance but still have had nothing, usually I would get a deposit etc but it was all such a last minute thing but it didnt happen. Gulp, I have a worried kind of feeling about this already.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
muddleduck · 04/12/2009 17:38

You know this isn't going to end well.
You have to stop taking her LO until you are paid.

She is using your good nature against you - please don't let her take advantage. There is no point you sorting out all the other nonsense when you don't know that she isn't just going to disappear leaving a trail of debt.

I'm a parent and I cannot believe some of the nonsense that you CM (have to) put up with.

pippin26 · 06/12/2009 10:06

Clankypanky - there should be much more work than you are already doing - you just alter your planning or incorporate the theme into it.

You can get some great info from sites like Change4Life, NHS etc re healthy eating (or just google healthy eating for children) - your local childrens center should have lots of information to.
Google lunchbox ideas and again you should get lots of results you can print of for parents.
When I am researching or planning a specific theme it really doesn't take me a long time to do - promise! It just depends on how in depth I want to go and I don't go that indepth because I sketch the bare bones of the theme and then let the children take it where they want. I use my pro-forma to etch out the details and links to EYFS - stick it on the wall and go for it.

Have you tried www.childmindinghelp.co.uk (forum section) for lots of help, advice and ideas.

With regards to the headlice, its quite common but you must not treat it without parental consent as I am sure you know. Unfortunately there is no exclusion periods either - although being self employed you do set your own T&C's.

It sounds like this mum really does need extra support and I think you are brilliant for stepping up and trying.
Although you must not let the non-payment continue. Ask her if she needs you to instigate a payment plan so she can catch up on what she owes, point out you are running a business and do need paying on time otherwise quite apart from not being able to pay your own bills and feed your family you cannot buy craft materials and toys, go on outings etc.

good luck

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