Permission to take a child to my hospital appointment

**venus89** · 28-05-2009, 09:42 AM

I can't say feel all that happy about having to ask but the hospital only does appointments on the Tuesday and I think the family would rather I gave them the choice rather than tell them that I'm not working that day.
Is this OK?

"I plan to take H**** to ****** hospital with me for my appointment with a back specialist on 16th June. The appointment is 30 minutes long and H**** will be with me at all times. Weather permitting I plan to take H**** to the park on the way back. Please sign below and return the form if you are happy for me to take H**** with me. Should you not wish H**** to come with me please make alternate arrangements for childcare for the day. Please note that such arrangements will be at your own expense and my daily fee will still apply."

**Donkey** · 28-05-2009, 12:00 PM

The letter is fine, but I don't think its fair to charge them if they are not wanting to send H

I know technically your setting is still open....

but!!

**katickles** · 28-05-2009, 12:35 PM

I agree with flutterbyes on that, but then again thats my opinion, at the end of the day its up to you.

I see it that yes you are open, but not in normal ways as you are going to be minding the child around personal appointments.

**youarewhatyoueat** · 28-05-2009, 12:52 PM

Definately drop the please note onwards that doesn't sound very friendly, after all its not their fault that you can only get an appointment on a tuesday but the rest of it sounds fine.

**Mouse** · 28-05-2009, 01:24 PM

It's very well written, but I would agree with the others that you can't expect parents to pay you as well as someone else.

If they decide to have time off themselves, then you could still charge as your service is available (albeit, slightly differently), but if they chose to use other childcare I don't think you can charge for your time as well.

I would stress however, that you will not charge if they use alternative REGISTERED childcare, but will otherwise.

**The Juggler** · 28-05-2009, 02:06 PM

Me too. I did this once. I just said 'look I've got an appointment on that day it's x minutes long and will involve meeting doctor etc. Do you mind if I take LO along with me.

It was all fine. If they say 'no' you might have to take as a day's holiday?

**rickysmiths** · 28-05-2009, 03:01 PM

Sorry but for an appointment of this lengh and importance I wouldn't dream of taking a mindee with me. There are times I think that we have to take time out for ourselves and this is one of them.

Is there another minder locally that you and the mindee know who could care for them with the parents permission while you go to the hospital? This is what I try to do. I'm sure the parents would understand.

I had to have an emergency appointment with the dentist a few weeks ago and all my parents were very supportive.

**venus89** · 28-05-2009, 04:18 PM

Thank you all - the bit at the end was the bit I was unhappy with so I'll definately drop that!

Ricksmiths - I do understand but as mindee is only 12 months old then I figure he can eat lunch in the buggy during the appointment and should be perfectly happy. I know it's not ideal and do feel bad about it - hence, of course, the need to give the parents choice. If they don't want me to take him I'll sort other childcare out for them with another local minder.