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Lisa's Little Angels
05-01-2008, 02:47 PM
Hi all I'm totally new to forum and quite new to childminding so forgive me if my questions seem trivial. I had a potential customer come and see me about 4 weeks ago signed all the contracts for her 2 sons due to start with me this coming tuesday and I was contacting her over the past few days just to confirm all going to plan for starting tuesday. However I feel as if she is ignoring me after not answering her phone nor replying to a txt message I am disappointed to say the least as I think her children aren't going to start and she just doesn't want to tell me. But the whole reason she came to sign up before xmas was to ensure I didn't let the places go to any1 else and held them for her children :( I feel really let down I have an awful feeling she has just taken my registered childminding number and may claim childcare assistance against my service when I feel she has no intention of using me nor notifying me she's not either.
Any advice greatly appreciated
Tanks
1st timer Lisa :littleangel:

Spangles
05-01-2008, 02:51 PM
I must admit that I would presume the same if it were me or, of course, maybe she's just changed her mobile number and forgotten to tell you as she hasn't started with you yet?

I guess you will see on Tuesday!

Will be such a shame if she is letting you down though, very rude of her not to let you know too.

I hope that there's a good explanation for her not contacting you.

Good luck.

emler
05-01-2008, 02:52 PM
Fingers crossed that there is a good reason why she hasn't been in touch again.
Did you take a retainer fee to keep the places for her children? If not, its definately something to consider for the future.

Emler x

Lisa's Little Angels
05-01-2008, 03:00 PM
thanks for your advice I never took a retainer fee but definately something to bear in mind for the future ;) I will just have to wait and see what happens on tuesday fingers crossed as its not the best time of year to be down 2 places:( thanks again for advice will let you know what happens tuesday ps how much is the average or norm for retainer fee?
cheers lisa
pps any1 know how i change my username now its set?? or can't I?

Mollymop
05-01-2008, 05:45 PM
Good luck Lisa, I hope u hear something from the parent soon.

Let us know

XXXX

angeldelight
05-01-2008, 05:52 PM
Hi Lisa

Hope you are enjoying the forum

Do not worry about your questions we all have problems from time to time so everyone will be glad to help

Sorry about this parent - do you think maybe they could have gone away for a few days or something - some of my parents are still away because schools are not open here till Tuesday

I really hope it is a simple answer and she is not going to let you down

If she does not reply or does not turn up though - I would post a short but firm mesage through her door to inform her that you will have to inform tax credits that she is not taking the place ( it will make you feel better - and it will make her worry a little if she thinks you are going to inform them - that way she might think twice about doing that using your registration )

I had it happen to me earlier in the year I usually ask for a deposit but did not because it hardly seemed worth it - I saw her and met the children on a Saturday and they were due to start on the Monday )

You live and learn though and not everyone is honest

I really hope they get in touch with you

You will get loads of advice here for future reference though if they do not - about deposits etc

Good luck and do not forget to let us know what happens

Angel xx

miffy
05-01-2008, 05:58 PM
Hi Lisa

Welcome to the forum

Shouldn't worry too much yet - wait until Tuesday, you may find that everything is OK after all

If not and you suspect that she did just want your details then I'd do as Angel says and let her know you intend to inform tax credits.

Then chalk it up to experience

Miffy xx

Rubybubbles
05-01-2008, 06:33 PM
I hope she turns up:)

I had this happen a couple of years ago lady signed everything in October to start in the Jan, I just couldn't get hold of her at all, so went round her house with her bill in the end just so I had reason to go lol!! She still needed me and seemed a bit shocked I was worried she'd be a no show:rolleyes: so hopefully same for you

sarah707
05-01-2008, 06:54 PM
Hi Lisa and welcome to the forum!

You've had good answers... I just wanted to add, if you want to change your user name you need to pm Pauline... she's the only one who might be able to help you...

Talk soon x

jmoff
05-01-2008, 09:06 PM
Hi
good luck on Tuesday! Try not to worry as they may be away...!

I usually take a 2 weeks' deposit ...which is refundable at the end of the contract.

Good luck

Jana

charleyfarley
05-01-2008, 09:35 PM
I'd wait till Tuesday maybe though try and get in touch with her on Monday if you can.

If they don't turn up on Tuesday then I'd do as Angel says.

I've had people not turn up after filling in the contracts, some obviously only wanting your reg number to claim child care.

I have learnt by my mistakes though.

Really hope she turns up on Tuesday

Let us know what happens

Carol xx

Lisa's Little Angels
12-01-2008, 10:10 PM
Hi every1 thanks for your advice the lady txt me on monday to say her children won't be starting til this week now as her son was unwell fair enough hopefully it was just a breakdown in communication will let you know if they come.:(
I hope so as ive been out posting businesscards through doors just as a back up plan. P.S. does anyone know where I can get a copy of Childminding Policies as in Dec my laptop crashed and yes uve guessed it I only had one hard copy of my policies and all data on my laptop was lost:mad: im so angry that i didnt think to back them up on a disk but as one of the forum members said 'u live and learn' but im frightened im gonna get a call advising of my inspection date and i'm gona have to rewrite my policies all over again. tried looking on google but nothing:panic: any advice greatly appreciated thanks
Lisa :-)

miffy
12-01-2008, 10:15 PM
Glad you got the work bit sorted but sorry to hear about your lap-top.

Try this link for policies

www.bromleycma.org.uk

miffyxx

button68
12-01-2008, 10:30 PM
my laptop crashed and yes uve guessed it I only had one hard copy of my policies and all data on my laptop was lost:mad: im so angry that i didnt think to back them up on a disk but as one of the forum members said 'u live and learn' Lisa :-)

Exactly the same thing happened to me in November :( Yes I learnt the hard way. I did have a hard copy, thankfully!! (I had completely finished them and printed and bound one copy) and I had no alternative but to re-type them all in :angry: ..... took forever.

DH bought me one of those memory stick thingys and now I ALWAYS back up on that. I have even got DS to put a copy on his memory stick as a 'double-back-up' :cool:

carolinel
12-01-2008, 10:36 PM
the same thing happened to me in December!!

Luckily though the chap who repaired the laptop was able to retrieve all data on hard drive.

Still haven't saved everything though. Must do that this week!!

LittleMissSparkles
12-01-2008, 10:42 PM
i should do a back up disc this week really after reading all your stories x

Lisa's Little Angels
12-01-2008, 11:16 PM
thanks i will check out thayt site i reckon if i combine what i had in the copy i had printed off with bromley i can just retype it all gradually thanks again really should get off this laptop now as my husband shall think im being very anti-social on a saturday night:blush: absolutely loving this site its great and hopefully in time i will b able to pass on my advice once i become a bit more experienced in the childminding world. nite forum ladies,
lisa

sarah707
12-01-2008, 11:18 PM
I use a memory stick as well - plus I put all my files on the kids computer and I copy them over every couple of days... I lost all my stuff a long while ago now but it really taught me a lesson!

Night night Lisa x :D

charleyfarley
12-01-2008, 11:21 PM
Exactly the same thing happened to me in November :( Yes I learnt the hard way. I did have a hard copy, thankfully!! (I had completely finished them and printed and bound one copy) and I had no alternative but to re-type them all in :angry: ..... took forever.

DH bought me one of those memory stick thingys and now I ALWAYS back up on that. I have even got DS to put a copy on his memory stick as a 'double-back-up' :cool:

I do that to.

A memory stick plus I always keep paper copies of ll paperwork ready just incase I get a parent who wants to visit straight away, has happened in the past and wasn't prepared.

Carol xx

Mags
12-01-2008, 11:28 PM
Hi,
I am also fairly new to minding and your problem sounds very familiar to me. I have signed up contracts with three different families over the last couple of months and nothing has come from it. Two families had me minding for just one week, then nothing....not even a phone call! However they all asked for forms to be signed (which i did) in order to claim towards their minding fees.
It's quite annoying after all the time spent going over contracts etc in the first place.:(

mags.x

Monkey1
12-01-2008, 11:35 PM
See what happens....then worry about it! if she has signed the contract it is legally binding...................welcome to the world of childminding.......more than just sh***y nappies, you get the parents too!
Sorry, don't mean to put you off! but if it wasn't for the parents childminding would be a dream job!

miffy
13-01-2008, 07:38 AM
Hi,
I am also fairly new to minding and your problem sounds very familiar to me. I have signed up contracts with three different families over the last couple of months and nothing has come from it. Two families had me minding for just one week, then nothing....not even a phone call! However they all asked for forms to be signed (which i did) in order to claim towards their minding fees.
It's quite annoying after all the time spent going over contracts etc in the first place.:(

mags.x

Sorry to hear you've not had a very good experience of childminding so far.

Did you have contracts with these parents or was it that they left within the settling in period?

If you think they were using you just to get your details to claim help with childcare costs then you should notify the HMRC - the tel no is 0845 300 3900

Hope some nicer parents turn up soon

Miffy xx

chubbymummy
13-01-2008, 08:21 AM
all the best for this tuesday!

i think i need to buy a memory stick to save all my stuff, i just keep forgetting!!

Mollymop
13-01-2008, 03:03 PM
Good luck on Tuesday. Glad to hear she got back to you in the end.:)

I think deposits are a good thing when new parents sign contract, it puts your mind at ease that they will get in contact due to them losing money from the deposit.

Mags, i hope things woek out ok for you as well.

XXX

deeb66
14-01-2008, 01:54 PM
Just catching up with this one

I hope all goes well

angeldelight
14-01-2008, 02:19 PM
Yes I am with Dee hope all goes well

Angel xx

susi513
14-01-2008, 02:26 PM
Parents don't seem to view contracts as binding. And it would seem they're not, I heard you can't pursue parents for non-payment if the child has never attended your setting.

I once saw a mum on a sunday who signed contract straight away (usually they take it home to read through in their own time & then bring it back). I agreed they could pay by bank transfer, but didn't get a deposit. It was an early start and it wasn't til he was 1/2 hour late I rang to see if he was still coming - she said "Oh I probably should have rung you " they'd decided to go with someone else !!

And I later discovered they'd signed a contract the week before with another childminder. I was obviously some sort of back up plan!!! So when I gave up my Sunday they had already got a contract to start with someone else.

I now get a months deposit which I keep til they leave, they don't have a place reserved until the deposit clears to my account (one deposit cheque I was given bounced). So if anyone decides they don't want the place after all I shall have their deposit fee to cheer me up!

angeldelight
14-01-2008, 02:27 PM
I know just what you mean Susi

Angel xx

Banana
15-01-2008, 11:31 AM
Hi Lisa,

Welome to the forum!

Sorry that you havnt gotten off to the smoothest start with this parent but hopefully all will work out and she will arrive as planned next week.

Keep us updated and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that she arrives!!
x

Banana
15-01-2008, 11:33 AM
BTW everyone.

So you have all your policies somewhere you are not likely to misplace/lose etc...

I emailed all my policies to myself so they are permanently in my inbox on hotmail :)

xx

Lisa's Little Angels
15-01-2008, 10:40 PM
Hi girls just to let you all know that the new children started today so after a not so smooth start hopefully we will have a successful minder mindee relationship:) so so tired though had child protection training 2nite after working 8-6 so im ready for bed now and a rarity I know but I have a say off 2morro :laughing: so spending some quality time with my own wee guy nite every1 thanx for all the encouragement x

charleyfarley
15-01-2008, 10:45 PM
Glad to hear they arrived today

A long day for you, after minding all door having a course too

Hope you have a good nights rest ready to start again tomorrow

Carol xx

Rubybubbles
16-01-2008, 02:44 PM
glad they showed up for you:)

childminder54
06-03-2008, 05:46 PM
hi i ask for two weeks money and is taken off when they finish. I NEVER GIVE OUT MY NUMBER until they have done a coupke of weeks with me

veronicaxxx:jump for joy: :jump for joy:

Annie_T
06-03-2008, 07:53 PM
does seem bit strange to me .. but you never know she may turn up tues hun x

and no question to big, small or silly ...we here to help :D

tulip0803
07-03-2008, 02:58 AM
Exactly the same thing happened to me in November :( Yes I learnt the hard way. I did have a hard copy, thankfully!! (I had completely finished them and printed and bound one copy) and I had no alternative but to re-type them all in :angry: ..... took forever.

DH bought me one of those memory stick thingys and now I ALWAYS back up on that. I have even got DS to put a copy on his memory stick as a 'double-back-up' :cool:

Snap on Boxing Day:angry: . Luckily the computer is under warranty and they did a data recovery on it so I now have a hard copy. But have been updating so will have to copy again now.:rolleyes:

miss muffit
07-03-2008, 03:15 PM
Hi and welcome to the forum.

Lets hope she contacts you or just turns up on Tuesday...and if she doesnt then contact wftc and tell them you gave this lady your ofsted number and you are not having them.

let us know Tuesday

Have a nice weekend :) :) :)