Childminder Advice

Counting_Pennies_2

butterflylady wrote: »

Sods law spoke to a friend today and she's told me about a recently set up one alot closer to home!!

I would call this person straight away

butterflylady

My DD is 10 months old.

I have considered speakiing to the newly set up childminder, but has I have signed a contract with the current I have a feeling she will charge me 4 weeks notice, even though they only started last week!!

If I had to pay that out I would have to use all of my savings, all the money for xmas and summer holiday which I have no way of replacing!

I know that sounds sallow, I'm at a loss at what to do lots of crying and a sleepless night last night!!

butterflylady

Bump - does anyone else have thoughts on this?

Harriebabe

Hi - I would definitely visit the other, closer, childminder - just to have a look around, get a feeling and chat through requirements etc. Then, if you decide that closer might be better and easier for your daughter to settle, then what's more important - money or your daughter's happiness? I know that's being a bit crass and I certainly don't think for one minute that you would put money above your daughter's happiness, honestly - but I know that we all tell ourselves things will be alright ... and they probably will, but something is keeping you up at night, worrying .... is it not? Is it that something doesn't feel quite right about the new childminder..? You would feel happier, despite the outlay, with someone else do you think?

Oh it's tough isn't it?? I sympathise and am so glad my youngest starts school in September ....:)

Nicki

As you haven't been there long CM 1 might be prepared to negotiate a shorter notice period. I'd visit the other one first to see whether you like her and whether she does have an immediate place, then speak to the first one. If she can fill her places quickly she might be fine about it. If not, peace of mind about childcare whilst you are at work is worth a lot, and you will be saving a bit on travel costs maybe, so might not cost as much as you fear?

The_Next_Verse

Sometimes people just don't get on.

I don't think it is unreasonable for a child to not like an adult, so perhaps trying out the other childminder to see if this is the case and your DD gets on better with the other one?

If she does the same with the other one, then it will most likely be just settling in and she is finding being away from you a little hard.

butterflylady

Thank you for your responses, I would never put money before the children, the money I refer to is the money I have earned for my keeping in touch days while on mat leave. So it was hard to leave them both but especially DD when she was tiny to go to work.

The next verse I think you are right there is no reason why DD should like the childminder as we all have people we don't like and can't put a finger on why!!

I know other parents have contacted her since she agreed to have mine so I guess it could be possible to negoitate a lower fee. I'll let my OH do that if it comes to it!!

They have been today and when I checked DD had been upset this AM, so I am waiting to see the childminder to find out what happened.

a_confused_mum

HI

I am a childminder and this is what a lot of childminders do.

How long is the settling period for? Most cms state 4 weeks so that if the child or cm want to back out of the contract they can within the 4 weeks as it is still classed as the settling in period.

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