nipper
19-10-2011, 09:40 AM
Morning all, I think unless I am very wrong that I might have just had the wool pulled firmly over my eyes.
I have an eight year old mindee whose mum works shifts, so I have him from 6.30/7am until I drop him off at school, then from 3.15pm until 8pm. Mum and I agreed a trail period of a month (just to make sure he was alright in my setting and I with him) at the start of term, which was due to finish this Friday in line with term dates, as half term begins then. Incidentally I only have him term time.
So, because mum had given me her shift times until last Monday 10th October and had said she would let me have the next months shift times well in advance (alarm bell number one) I didn't think anything of it as it was only a period of time from last Monday until this Friday and I would have been able to ask her for them because I see her at school on the days she doesn't work. However, on Monday 10th he didn't attend because the last session he came to me was on the Thursday of the previous week, when Mum asked to come in and talk to me when she collected him.
Without going into too much detail, she said she was finding things tough at work, wasn't enjoying it and was going to take some time off up until half term to be with her son. At no point did she say anything to suggest she or he for that matter was unhappy with the service I was providing. Later on that weekend she sent me a text message saying that on the Monday which was the last day I had had times for, he wanted to do an activity after school with mum, so there was no need for me to collect him after school.
Now, here's the twist...a while back the mindee was saying he and mum were going on holiday to America for a family celebration, but he said this would be in February. I didn't delve any further, just said 'Oh that will be nice' and I made a mental note to myself to follow this up nearer the time, as my contracts state half fees to keep the place open as if parents take children away during term time.
I then realised this morning (alarm bell number two) at school that I hadn't seen them since Monday morning. Now I might be jumping the gun but....she might have taken him on holiday, which accounts for the reason why he mentioned it so recently and what with half term being next week it could all add up.
So basically, for a period of about 5 days spanning last Monday to the end of this week, do you think I should have asked for her to pay a retainer. Each day alone brings in about £35 for me as I care for him outside my normal hours. She has paid all fees up until last Monday, doesn't owe me anything, but I'm just a bit miffed that I have essentially lost out on any days he would have attended since then. It would only have been about five days at the most but it would still amount to £150 or half of that if I had asked her to pay the retainer
My question is, how possible is it to prove what days he would have attended last week and this, as she works shifts and not set days?
I suppose I can't can I, unless she had written them down in response to my asking her to.
Message to self, make sure shift times are sought at least two weeks before last day with mindee is due to end.
Sorry for the complex post, I 'd be interested to gauge your opinions.
I have an eight year old mindee whose mum works shifts, so I have him from 6.30/7am until I drop him off at school, then from 3.15pm until 8pm. Mum and I agreed a trail period of a month (just to make sure he was alright in my setting and I with him) at the start of term, which was due to finish this Friday in line with term dates, as half term begins then. Incidentally I only have him term time.
So, because mum had given me her shift times until last Monday 10th October and had said she would let me have the next months shift times well in advance (alarm bell number one) I didn't think anything of it as it was only a period of time from last Monday until this Friday and I would have been able to ask her for them because I see her at school on the days she doesn't work. However, on Monday 10th he didn't attend because the last session he came to me was on the Thursday of the previous week, when Mum asked to come in and talk to me when she collected him.
Without going into too much detail, she said she was finding things tough at work, wasn't enjoying it and was going to take some time off up until half term to be with her son. At no point did she say anything to suggest she or he for that matter was unhappy with the service I was providing. Later on that weekend she sent me a text message saying that on the Monday which was the last day I had had times for, he wanted to do an activity after school with mum, so there was no need for me to collect him after school.
Now, here's the twist...a while back the mindee was saying he and mum were going on holiday to America for a family celebration, but he said this would be in February. I didn't delve any further, just said 'Oh that will be nice' and I made a mental note to myself to follow this up nearer the time, as my contracts state half fees to keep the place open as if parents take children away during term time.
I then realised this morning (alarm bell number two) at school that I hadn't seen them since Monday morning. Now I might be jumping the gun but....she might have taken him on holiday, which accounts for the reason why he mentioned it so recently and what with half term being next week it could all add up.
So basically, for a period of about 5 days spanning last Monday to the end of this week, do you think I should have asked for her to pay a retainer. Each day alone brings in about £35 for me as I care for him outside my normal hours. She has paid all fees up until last Monday, doesn't owe me anything, but I'm just a bit miffed that I have essentially lost out on any days he would have attended since then. It would only have been about five days at the most but it would still amount to £150 or half of that if I had asked her to pay the retainer
My question is, how possible is it to prove what days he would have attended last week and this, as she works shifts and not set days?
I suppose I can't can I, unless she had written them down in response to my asking her to.
Message to self, make sure shift times are sought at least two weeks before last day with mindee is due to end.
Sorry for the complex post, I 'd be interested to gauge your opinions.