Newly self employed not getting payment!

beeshwa10

Not sure if this is the right place to put this but i really need some advice,

I have just started out as a childminder and have taken on a parent with 2 children, one is at school + one is 2. The parent is at college and the college are paying for the childcare costs.

There has been a few complications with regards to the eldest childs school hours, (he has autism so is not going full time just yet) the college said they would only pay for 1 month of the child being part time at college after that the parent needs to cover the shortfall. Parent cannot afford this as is at college etc etc. So i have been going backwards and forward with the college to get the money i am supposed to be paid, i was told by the college that they pay childcare termly so i was supposed to get paid from October - December on the 3rd October.

Being told i would be getting every 3 months (termly) i re-arranged my bills and rent payment to pay in line with when i get money, as this is my first job as a childminder i felt this would be the right way to do it,

Anyway, On the 3rd the college only paid me for the month of October with no communication as to why they had not paid up to December, i managed to get through to the person who deals with it and she advised that i would get the rest of the payment this thursday (6th) as they needed to get it agreed for the hours however would let me know if there was any problems, so i went ahead and made a budget on what money i had already and paid some bills which i was behind on (i have been out of work for a while) then yesterday comes and there is still no money in my account so i called the college to be told the invoice had not been put through as there was still a problem with child 1's hours at school.

After a lot of being fobbed off i got a call from the 'finance manager' she proceeded to be really really rude to me, telling me i should manage my money better, calling me a liar that the person had never told me i would get the payment this week, i came off the phone in tears.

i seriously dont know what to do about all this, i sure as hell know i dont want to be going through this stress all the time! what can i do?

KiKi

Deep breath!

Okay, first thing about being self-employed: until you are in a pattern, you can NEVER assume when you will have the money, no matter what you're told. It was wrong of her to call you a liar, and I'm sorry she's obviously upset you.

However, whilst her comments are uncalled for, for her to say that you need to manage your money better suggests that when you called to chase the payment, you said something along the lines of needing it for bills etc (which, of course, you do).

Whilst this is an issue for you, these aren't the sort of things to bring up when you're running a business. It's not the client's problem how you pay your bills, and they don't want to know about it, so don't make yourself look unprofessional by raising it. I say that kindly, as an a self-employed person! The only thing that should matter is that they pay you according to the contract that you have set up with them.

You need to establish ASAP how these payments will work, and set up an agreement in writing. You also need to establish with the parent what these hours are, and whilst it's taking so long to sort out. She might be able to help you understand what's going on with that child and the college, too.

Keep pursuing it, in writing, and whilst I understand you need the money, don't make that the client's problem. Do you have something in writing from them to agree payment? Are you invoicing them for the amount you are expecting?

KiKi

beeshwa10

I have just started out as a childminder and have taken on a parent with 2 children, one is at school + one is 2. The parent is at college and the college are paying for the childcare costs.

There has been a few complications with regards to the eldest childs school hours, (he has autism so is not going full time just yet) the college said they would only pay for 1 month of the child being part time at college after that the parent needs to cover the shortfall. Parent cannot afford this as is at college etc etc. So i have been going backwards and forward with the college to get the money i am supposed to be paid, i was told by the college that they pay childcare termly so i was supposed to get paid from October - December on the 3rd October.

Being told i would be getting every 3 months (termly) i re-arranged my bills and rent payment to pay in line with when i get money, as this is my first job as a childminder i felt this would be the right way to do it,

Anyway, On the 3rd the college only paid me for the month of October with no communication as to why they had not paid up to December, i managed to get through to the person who deals with it and she advised that i would get the rest of the payment this thursday (6th) as they needed to get it agreed for the hours however would let me know if there was any problems, so i went ahead and made a budget on what money i had already and paid some bills which i was behind on (i have been out of work for a while) then yesterday comes and there is still no money in my account so i called the college to be told the invoice had not been put through as there was still a problem with child 1's hours at school.

After a lot of being fobbed off i got a call from the 'finance manager' she proceeded to be really really rude to me, telling me i should manage my money better, calling me a liar that the person had never told me i would get the payment this week, i came off the phone in tears.

i seriously dont know what to do about all this, i sure as hell know i dont want to be going through this stress all the time! what can i do?

beeshwa10

I have invoiced and agreed the hours with the woman who deals with it so many times, i am getting tired of going over it and using my time and energy to deal with things!

The college never call me back or reply to my email and i am seriously considering making a complaint to the board about the way i have been treated. I am so new to all of this and i am wondering if it is worth the stress!

I did say to the person i spoke to that i am relying on this money to pay bills and rent just like everyone else relys on their income to get by.

skintandscared_2

I would just childmind the child(ren) for the period you've been paid, then tell the parent they either need to cover the shortfall or find alternative arrangements. They should be the ones chasing up the payment from the college, not you. You have no obligation to work for nothing!

colino

I think you will have to toughen up quick if you want to stay in business. To the college you are just another piece of admin to be taken care of, the mother is the one needing your services.
Explain to her that you will be no longer able to provide a service to her as you do not work foc. Too bad she can't afford it herself, but she has to be on the case to get you paid or it will all end, quickly, in tears.

Savvy_Sue

Sadly, getting payment from colleges and councils is likely to be less straightforward than getting money from parents up front.

Can you take on another child?

beeshwa10

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Sadly, getting payment from colleges and councils is likely to be less straightforward than getting money from parents up front.

Can you take on another child?

i am advertising for the spaces just incase this all goes the way i think it might, i am hoping that something comes through!

Hammyman

Welcome to the world of self employment. You are now sadly finding out why most businesses avoid Local Govt and Education with a bargepole and those that do deal with them charge them a premium for all the aggravation.

At the end of the day, if you are invoicing the parent your contract is with the parent, not the college so it is the parent you need to be chasing. The fact they cannot pay is not your concern. If you are invoicing the college, what were the terms of payment you both agreed between you? What is stated on your terms of business?

However, no money, no childminding. You are going to need to learn to be very hard nosed about this otherwise you'll end up with a long string of people using you and not paying.

beeshwa10

Hammyman wrote: »

At the end of the day, if you are invoicing the parent your contract is with the parent, not the college so it is the parent you need to be chasing. The fact they cannot pay is not your concern. If you are invoicing the college, what were the terms of payment you both agreed between you? What is stated on your terms of business?

I invoice the college for the money owed, the college stated they pay termly in advance they have now gone back on this due to a confusion with hours, it seems they are penalising the parent for having a child with a disability.

ILW

Who is your contract with, seems a little confused at the moment.