I have a contract but do I have to stick to 4 weeks notice?

[stripeyknickersspottysocks]

CM has been quite unreliable the last couple of weeks, tesxting me while I'm at work and saying she can;t have DD that afternoon, etc. She sent me a text one evening last week saying she couldn't have DD the following morning and that she was stopping childminding.

She did have DD 2 days later , but when I went to pick DD up CM wasn't there. Her husband was looking after DD. He's CRB checked but I don't think he's a proper registered assistant.

Turns out the CM now has a job that she's already started. Her DH said he could look after DD while I find someone else. Well I've found someone else and want DD to start there now, not go to the CM's DH. Am I right in thinking she's broken the contract by getting a job, my contract is with her not her husband?

If she can't personally provide the care then Yes I feel that is grounds for ending the contract.
Talk with her, come to an agreement. Far better to come to mutual agreement to end contract without notice on either side, then to just stop going.
If the DH is to continue providing care, he would need to register in his own right and you with him, or with them jointly.

The key thing is to communicate. Ask her if she is stopping childminding and confirm the last day that she will be providing care.

Absolutely, she broke the contract

Oh my goodness!!! She has revoked her contract, she's not providing care! Her DH is NOT allowed to look after your child! My hubby is also CRB checked - anyone living in a CMs home over the age of 16 HAS to be - it in no way gives them a right to look after your child.

OFSTED would have a fit if you told them.

You do not need to give her notice... she gave you none... it works both ways. I would write her an email (get everything in writing!), giving her notice with immediate effect, saying why you are no longer going to her house for her CM services, as she is no longer providing them.

I have never heard of such an unprofessional CM. Thankfully the majority of us would never dream of doing this. I am gob smacked I have to say

Ha ha, if you've never heard of such an unprofessional childminder I could tell you about my last one.

Had about 7 kids in the back of her car once, some (not DD thankfully) without seatbelts.

Had her 14 yo son pick DD up from school.

forgot to pick DD up from school on more than one occassion.

Took DD and 2 other kids to help her with her other job. Working in the chippy, DD was 6 at the time and was in charge of buttering the rolls. I found out from a neighbour.

Left her husband and left me with no CM with no notice.

Moved back a week later and started CM'ing again.

Moved an un-CRB checked lodger in and 2 weeks later left the lodger in charge of DD for 3 hours. It was at this point I removed DD .

I don't have much luck.

Cor blimey you dont have much luck do you.

Your CM is unavailable to work, you don't need to give notice as she isnt their. Quite frankly leaving your child with her DH is appalling (unless he is registered) which it doesn't sound like he is.

Write a letter stating that your child will no longer be going to her house and make it plain that her actions have been unprofessional to say the least. I doubt very much that she will insist on the notice period.

I think your CM already broke the contract by not giving you notice that it was ending.

she sounds awful.. please dont tar us all with the same brush.. it really takes an awful lot of effot now to become registered as a cm and we have to jump through many hoops for Ofsted.

I strongly suspect that these women werent actually registered at all. If they were then please inform Ofsted so they cant offer this dreadful service to any other parent and child. If they are not registered then inform the local authorities as they are breaking the law.

The latest one is definetly registeres, I saw all her certificates. The first one has been struck off or whatever Ofsted to to CMs who are banned.

The new CM who I've found seems lovely.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to email the other one and tell her that DD won't be going back.

oh poor you Stripey you are very brave to go with another childminder, your poor child

cant believe how some cm act we are trying to make cm a proffession and most (well spripeys) use it as a sideline to another job

good luck with your new cm xx