Childminders Club : I've been a right mug............

[ssd]

I've just realised I've agreed to too many requests from parents for things that benefit them but not me, eg. keeping a space during the summer hols with no retainer (done this twice!) and getting no payment for childs sickness or abscence although I'm available to work as parent didn't want a contract....now I'll get hardly any pay during school hols and the next school year.

I've been trying to be nice to everyone and forgetting about me and the fact I need the money...what an idiot.

Don't be so hard on yourself - so easily done!!

Have they got contracts? If not, then you can always back out, if they have, you could still give them notice if you want.

Just a thought.

Agree with HellyBelly, it is easily done but we all learn from our mistakes
I was in a simular situation last year, I had just signed up a couple of schoolies before the 6 weeks hols and didn't charge a retainer until they started with me, so I had no money at all - won't do that again in a hurry.

Explain to the mindees parents about payments for sickness etc as you can be pretty sure that they would get sickpay any way and how a contract would protect them as well as you.

Message withdrawn

I thought I was getting my act together after a shaky start, but I'm still learning!

Most childminders I know have done similar things and I think probably this is the only way you learn.
However I never take a mindee on without a contract ( I thought OFSTED took a dim view of not having a contract with parents to be honest), but having said that I still find myself being too lenient when it comes to charging for everything I should. I find it difficult to ask parents for money but it's our living and you just have to do it. My opinion FWIW is always have a contract, include everything you can think of in it and have a review every 6 months in case you missed anything.
Good luck and be strong!!