Is my Childminder being unreasonable?

[Tulips99]

To ask for 50% of fees whilst closed to retain my child's place?

@marieo

I don't really get why that is the same. Its like saying because the CMs are closed due to CV, would you go to work for 6 weeks for free

No it’s not. My point is it’s unlikely there is any contractual obligation to pay the childminder. You’re effectively being asked to do them a favour.

She wants paying because she’ll lose her lifestyle without her fees. If parents lost their job and had to also pay fees they could lose their lifestyle.

The childminder is asking for a favour that in my experience most would not be willing to offer in return. It’s worth considering when you decide to put yourself at a financial disadvantage.

For some it's their homes, food on the table, I know lots of people think women's jobs are for the lifestyle and shoes and holidays . I still stand by that if you can pay them then you should, just my opinion.

For some it's their homes, food on the table

It’s the same for everyone when they are laid off. Loads of people have already lost their livelihoods. If you (not you but the general you) are not providing a service, then why should you be paid? Now a small retainer fee could be appropriate, but don’t see how CM should be any different than any other freelance occupation.

When it all first happened on Wednesday, I was all for paying my childminder, but the more I think about it, the more I think childminders need to do what my childminder did and go work at a supermarket, or factory making essential items or as a delivery driver - all of these companies are desperate for workers.

We need childminders to do their bit really, rather than expecting to be able to sit on their arse for 4 months, with full pay coming in. The only exception I would make is if someone is one of the 1.5 million very vulnerable. Or, if they're prepared to put their health at risk by looking after keyworker children, then that's fair enough as well, although key worker children would be better off using wrap-around care at school, if it's being offered, because then they're contaminating less places.

@MangoFeverDream that's fair enough, I don't see them as other self employed in my mind, in our circumstances. Not because I believe they are more valuable or work harder (everyone deserves financial help out of this mess); but they are a big part of our lives. Personal choice I guess.

@astuz a lot of childminders do it as they have young kids themselves. Also as other people have said everyone talks about these other jobs but not getting anywhere.

As pp said, if the CM would work for you for free indefinitely if you lost your job, then pay her

otherwise, it's completely one-sided

I would have thought most childminders could just carry on offering the service and that will be the answer and then parents can keep working to keep the nation going.

@Xenia
Which is exactly my childminders stance - she gets it - I don't work she doesn't work

I think she is being very sensible. Anyway I am not sure why I am on these threads as my youngest 2 are 21 and beyond childcare but it is interesting including from the legal side as to what happens and what contracts say.

We’re paying our childminder full pay even though I’m now looking after my DD from home. Both me and my husband have not had our pay affected by the CV outbreak. Whereas she’s lost most of her children overnight. We could afford it before CV and we can afford it now so we’re choosing to use the money to support someone who hasn’t been as lucky as us.

I also think why should I benefit Financially from not sending them because of closure whilst she potentially loses her home. She’s been our childminder for 8 years so we are just continuing to pay her as if we were a company and she was an employee. Many won’t agree with our way but it’s what feels morally right to us in our situation

I also think why should I benefit Financially

Are you really benefiting? Is your time worth nothing?

I just can’t let someone who will have a monthly income of £400 survive on that whilst we are both earning full wages. She is able to have them and has offered as she needs the money (not said this) but she also has caring responsibilities for vulnerable family.

It's unacceptable to take a place at a childminding setting, accepting the terms and conditions then moan or refuse to pay.

@LucieLucie your TOS say if you aren’t providing a service, parents have to pay?

Yes, she can. She can give it to other key workers' children.

Our ASC are asking us to pay full price for a service we aren’t getting so they can offer free places to key workers. Looking at the key workers I know, none of them use child minders or ASC as they generally can’t afford to.

What if they refuse to take keyworker children but still ask for payment ( and are not looking for other jobs or are ill and cannot take them) - would you pay 50% when you have to find alternative childcare for a toddler as you are mandated to work as a frontline keyworker? That is a dilemma of a friend.

@astuz my CM will be looking after one key workers child full-time. They aren't going to school.

@RhubarbFizz if they refuse to take key workers children without a good reason why e.g. they or someone in their household is shielding, and ask for 50% they shouldn't get anything as they are not trying to mitigate their losses.

Yes that was my thought. Me and my DH are both trying to work from home around young children, and are not in work. But this friend needs the childminder as the child cannot go to school as not school age.

No, she's not.

We offered this to our childminder and we are key workers/ self employed

Yeh great, she’ll still be there when all this is over. Except she won’t be because she hasn’t got a roof over her head anymore and her children have starved to death.
Self employed childminders are getting NO help from the government except Universal Credit that the majority aren’t entitled to.
Have a heart for god sake.

I think it depends whether you are still getting paid or not.

You are wrong as child minders we are at the mercy of our parents to choose to pay us or not . I pay tax national insurance just like everyone else but with no security apparently 😔 we are not receiving anything from the government . When this is over and there are no childminders for you to have you pick from this will be why .