Aunty e Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 You sound like an angel to me! We've been incredibly lucky to find a childminder who has a couple of free baby spaces (she works with another childminder and they have an assistant too, so more like a mini nursery). She does a lot of agency work, which is where we found her, and she is prepared to take Mogling for the odd afternoon, day or week that we need so long as we pay in advance (and it's non-refundable obviously). If we signed a contract with her, we'd have to pay the full fee, all the time. Even when she was on holiday. She's actually very reasonable, so anyone looking for a full-time placement would still be quids in, but we couldn't believe our luck to find someone so flexible. Otherwise we'd have been looking at emergency childcare agencies, and paying half as much again for the privilege. For example, if Duncan is away and the childminder is poorly, my back up is a nursery nearish work which charges £60 a day, and I'd have to leave work early to make it back in time to pick her up. And pay a £50 registration fee to the agency. So if that carries on for a week, I've spent £350 on childcare, which means I'm pretty much paying for the privilege of going to work. Those parents don't know they're born. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 It sounds to me like these parents are being totally unreasonable and attempting to take advantage of you're being flexible and helpful. I would see if you could get a document drawn up, at least as a discussion point to clarify terms /conditions, if not something you would get signed - if you wanted something for signing then it might be better to get some sort of legal help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 I used to have vague ways of doing things but now i have made it as simple as possible and at the moment (touches wood) i have good payers. Money in advance, if child parent is sick/holiday/day off i get full pay. If i am sick/on holiday/have day off i don't charge. No excuse for not understanding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicktastic Posted April 7, 2010 Author Share Posted April 7, 2010 Money in advance, if child parent is sick/holiday/day off i get full pay. If i am sick/on holiday/have day off i don't charge. No excuse for not understanding I also have the same as you, but some people still seem to plead ignorance as it suits! Ah well Im calmer now and am just going to let it roll and see what happens!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
