help with childcare through coronavirus

Mrs_B2019

What do I do?
My daughter attends school and a childminder and I work full time. I don't have family local to support and most of my friends also work full time. With the outbreak of corona virus we have received some information today, from the school and a second from the childminder. The school is stating that they may choose to close which is not ideal but we understand, But the childminder has stated that if she decides to close her doors and isolate that full payment will still be expected? In our original contract it states that absence down to my child is fully chargeable yet if she was ever ill that it would be not expected?
Personally I feel that this is quite a shocking demand? please correct me if I am wrong to think this. The business I work for has told me I will not be paid for the absence if I am made to take time away to care for my child, so not only will I suffer myself financially the money that I thought I would have had to back me up would then need to be paid to a childcare provider that is not open?

Please help me, I have messaged the childcare provider to query her request and had nothing back, but i really think that what she is putting into place is uncalled for. We will all be impacted by this virus financially but surely there has to be some sort of protection or support out there to help me? Or even point out to the childcare provider? please help me xx

[Deleted User]

 Might be an unusual situation but personally if it's not in the contract I wouldn't be paying. 

 Only problem is you then may well lose your childcare 

Pollycat

Have you spoken to any of the other parents?

Emma_Larue

We had the same from our nursery. I don’t know what to think - this is a worldwide situation which will impact everyone financially. How can we be affected to keep paying for a service we are not using just because their T&C’s state payment is required in full even due to “circumstances outside of their control”?! It’s currently outside of everyone’s control! I can appreciate it will impact them financially but the economic impact will affect us with our own small business hugely too. 

PasturesNew

Don't pay.  As a business it should be her responsibility to have considered the financial effect of her not being able to provide a service and investigated suitable insurances or a Plan B. 

happyandcontented

I agree with PN, she should have insurances in place, whether they would pay out in this situation is another matter. Be prepared to find new childcare afterwards though.

Emma_Larue

It’s been said no insurer will
pay out so it seems to me it’s being passed onto the parents & like you say if we don’t pay that’s their place lost. Our nursery would also keep our enormous deposit (£1000+) if we just stopped paying so looks like we’re in a no win situation. Paying for childcare but having the child with you. Seems incredible really. 

PasturesNew

Without seeing the documents though, it seems quite black/white. 
1/ The contract does not state payment is due under these circumstances. 
2/ Whether a childminder is insured or not, gets a pay out or not, is none of the concern of the paying client. 
3/ If the childminder tries to force payment, with any threats, this would be blackmail. 
There will be hissy fits... but I think your relationship with them is probably at an end and I'd dig my heels in and start by asking them to show WHERE in the contract you are obliged to pay.  At this point ... they might realise "Ah ... !!!!!!... it doesn't does it". 

elsien

Deleted as repeating points already made.

maisie_cat

All businesses should have either business interruption type insurance or have a plan in place. The childminder can't have it both ways, she is either a business or she isn't. If it were me I'd cancel any contract where they expect their customers to pay for their lack of strategy. In the environment of a nursery, have forethought to contagious diseases is pretty page 1 stuff

Emma_Larue

They say the clause “events beyond our control” means payment is due.