Non Horsey Childminder RANT

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nikkinoo

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Firstly must appologise for my rant but need to get it off my chest.

Took my busy 2yr old to childminder this morning he is ment to go in at 8.30 but on a monday I dont start work till half 9 so drop him off on way (9.15)

She then told me to pick him up as soon as possible because she is on a course (nothing to do with chilminding updates or anything) and has to be there for 6,(this has happened a few times)

my son is there till half 5, I usually finish work at half 2 and the time I then use to muck out and exercise my horses, so needless to say I usually turn up in my jods and boots and get stinking looks as if to say you should be here to pick your son up when you finish work and not going to do the horses.

I pay her to look after my son and what I do in the time I have is up to me.

I am always late for work on 3 occasions I have been stood on the door knocking for 10 mins (she was in bed at 8.45) and some mornings I am waiting till 9.10 as she has gone to pick up another child at 9am.

Another day I went to pick him up and she had her hair done I think that the hairdresser came to the house, but fact is I pay her to look after my boy not have her hair done. Or am I being unreasonable?

I have had to come home from work a few times because her daughter wasnt well. Ok I can understand that she needs to put her first but I cant keep leaving work because of someone elses child is sick.

I dont have any babysitters I lost my mum and mum in law when I was 6mths pregnant and my dad is very ill (and has just come out of hospital after having an operation)
My OH is a manager and also works full time and is miles away so unable to get out of work at a drop of a hat.

I had to give 4 weeks notice (which is up next week) and then she tried to charge me for 2 extra weeks and also pay her holiday pay over xmas.

Needless to say I wont be using her again and have put my son back in to the creche that he was originally in. I dont doubt the care that she provides just the reliability

Ok Rant over I can breathe now
 
Breathe. Sit down. Feet up. Hot choccy. Hug.

Sorted
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It's what comes of breeding a society of wanting everything for nothing, she wanted your money without doing the work or taking the responcability.
 
I know what a pain some child minders are. i have a 2 year old and i'm hopefully going back to work in the next couple of months.
I def think putting child into creche is better than with her. i can't believe she had her hair done when meant to be looking after your son. I think you've done the right thing.
MrsMozart is a girl after my own heart- hot choccy and a hug makes everything better! x
 
Wow, after that insightful piece, I think I'll become a child minder. Sounds like money for old rope. Especially the getting my hair done while I'm being paid bit...
Seriously, sounds like you did the right thing giving her her marching orders. Your son will probably enjoy playing with the other kiddies at the creche more than watching her having her hair done anyway.
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I'd notify offsted of your concerns too. It is unacceptable that she is having her hair done etc while she should be supervising the children. Child minders have to be offsted regsitered and should be providing appropriate education and stimulus for the children in their care. If she can't be bothered she shouldn't be doing the job.

There are excellent childminders out there, shame that this lady is damaging their reputation.
 
There are some great, really dedicated child minders and it might be worth speaking to your health visitor to get a recommendation. Otherwise a GOOD creche or nursery might be the answer, these have multip0le staff so at least there won't be the problem of sickness.
 
Having been mucked about a lazy childminder for six months who just wanted to do as little work for as much money as possible, I would also advocate a good creche. My daughter was much happier and much better behaved when she was taken out of this woman's hands! Having said that, not all child minders are bad, some are wonderful - I just wish I had their number when I needed it!
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Having been mucked about a lazy childminder for six months who just wanted to do as little work for as much money as possible, I would also advocate a good creche. My daughter was much happier and much better behaved when she was taken out of this woman's hands! Having said that, not all child minders are bad, some are wonderful - I just wish I had their number when I needed it!
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I agree with this or give up work.
 
My mother was a childminder for 17 years, and had precisely four weeks off in that time, when she had cataract removal operations in both eyes. She NEVER let her clients down, kids came to her even if they or we were ill (except for really dramatic things like chicken-pox, etc).

I thought all childminders were like my mum, and when I had my daughter, i rejected nurseries in favour of a "good local childminder". After being let down by two childminders in less than two years, i gave up and sent my daughter to a decent nursery instead. I don't think i'd recommend childminders to anyone these days, which is a great shame, as they can be fabulous for kids if they are committed and do a good job.
 
I think this is an example of someone who becomes a childminder because they think it means they don't have to work, rather than seeing it as providing a vital service and having a career. Childminders now have to follow stringent guidelines, and as they are registered by OfSTED, who will inspect her regularly, then you should complain to them.

The issue about coming to pick your child up when hers is ill, is an unfortunate side-effect of hiring a childminder, as childminders do also have to follow rules about infection control etc. She was probably starting to milk this, however, and just wanted the afternoon off! I hope you don't pay her when she or her child are ill?

There are some very good childminders out there. Some, like me, are ex-teachers (although I am not yet, and don't know whether I will actually become, registered). The good childminders run their business like a mini-day nursery with a family feel and do lots with the children. Some children do respond better to nursery than childminders, because a lot of childminders, sorry to say, don't have the necessary qualifications to be working to the standards they now have to work (you only have to do a short course at the moment, to become one), whereas nursery staff are trained and experienced. Also, in nurseries, children mix with so many different children that they become socially ept much earlier on. I know that when my baby is a bit older and I have to return to work, she will be going to a nursery, not a childminder, mainly because I don't know any decent CMs around here.
 
i had been a childminder for 23 years..we don't all sit on our bums drinking coffee and having our hair done!!!! i used to get up at 5.30 to sort out 5 horses and ponies and be home for 7.30 for the first child to arrive and the last one would leave at 5.30 if i was lucky and they were on time which many parents thought because you work from home being 30minutes let was'nt a problem..then i would go to the yard again with my own children for another 3hours of mucking out riding or what other wonerful jobs awaited me...i only gave up minder because of the stupid amount of paper work that had become part of my life which by the way we wer'nt meant to do when the children were with us so many a full sunday was spent catching up with it...horses and kids do mix even if there not all your own....:)
 
Thanks guys, she is now telling me that I have to pay her extra 2 weeks because of the notice I gave her. plus 3 days holiday (for xmas)

My fault I suppose I verbally gave her 4 weeks notice on 13th Nov, (to end contract on 10th Dec) Im not good at maths but surely that is 4 weeks.

I forgot to give her the letter. (might just scrumple up the envelope and say it has been in his bag)
 
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