Hi , I'm new and not sure where to post this last week I had a dispute with a parent over the holidays and money she started shouting at me up at school.
She's wrote a letter complaining about a lot of things never mentioned before this dispute took place and was going to send her children in the holidays this week.
She said in the letter that arrived at the weekend that she had reported me to ofsted and that if I replied releasing her from her contract without notice period payment she wouldn't take it further.
The other parent I mind for is good friends with her Nd wrote me a letter saying she's not coming back and listing same complaints again never previously mentioned .
She also said that ofsted are investigating me as I got the letters over the weekend and couldn't ring ofsted I'm really upset and worried I'm ringing them as soon as they open but what will happen ?
I feel like a criminal
I know I'm rambling but if anyone could advise as I've no idea what to do will they strike me off

I would keep the letters as sounds like she is trying to blackmail you into letting her out of the contract without giving notice using Ofsted threat to frighten you - if Ofsted do contact you show them the letters. You should also reply in writing to the letters from the parents addressing the other complaints/concerns they have addressed which you were until now unaware of. You could refer them to your "working with parents" policy and "complaints" policy which hopefully detail how you would like to know as soon as possible of any concerns parents have so you can work with them to resolve them before they blow out of proportion. I don't know if you should contact Ofsted or wait for them to contact you - this parent may not have written to them and you may drop yourself in it! Let us know what happens - we don't mind rambling or ranting.

If she has reported you to Ofsted regardless of whether or not you release her from the contract they will investigate.

So I would write back nicely responding to all her complaints as Hectors House suggested.

I don't think she has and is trying to threaten you into releasing her from the contract.

Send strong and send her a receipt for the notice period with your reply :thumbsup:

i would phone ofsted and tell them a parent has told you she has reported you and that it has happened since you have had a dispute about money and holidays, and that she has said if you release her from her contract she will 'not take it further'.

IF she has reported you, then you are telling them WHY she has and it sounds as if it is over contracts.

if she hasn't then they will be aware if she does contact them that it is a contractual dispute.

i would keep the letters, and like other posters, reply to the complaints listed, whilst also referring to your complaints and working with parents policies, and any othe rpolicy that may cover her complaints.

good luck, stay strong. we are here to help.

xxx

What a horrible thing to happen :(

I would now follow your complaints policy to the letter. Send them a letter saying you have received their complaints and as per your policy (include a copy), you will reply within X number of days (however many it says in your policy). Then deal with each point of the complaint in a factual way, keeping any emotion out of it.

If they do put in a complaint to Ofsted you will be able to show that you have looked into the complaints.

Hi thanks for all your advice I feel really rubbish !
I rung ofsted this morning and explained the situation and the fact they were happy to come this week had I have done what they wanted they never asked what the complaints were they just advised I had up to 28 days to reply not the 7 stated on the letter I'd already taken advice from pacey and invoiced them a months fees for the notice period so that still stands .
Ofsted advised that if they were investigating they wouldn't inform other parents as they don't know who they are or live .
So with regards to the other family what do i do on their letter it told me I was being investigated and they would pay me if the outcome of that was favourable .
Do I sit tight and wait to see if i get investigated or proceed ?
I'm waiting for pacey to ring back about this but it's scrambling my brain
I was inspected on the 8 th may and deemed a fit childcare provider just need to brush up on my planning that's my downfall .
If I have been reported how long would it be till ofsted told me ?
Thanks so many questions its just such a poor situation I had no idea folk like this existed

I agree with the previous posts, and I also get a feeling that she's trying to threaten you and has maybe not contacted Ofsted at all.

For the sake of argument, let's assume for just one moment that she has made a malicious complaint to Ofsted and that it's entirely untrue. It is never easy to be the subject of a malicious complaint but do understand that Ofsted are not keen to 'strike off' good practitioners for the sake of a lie.

They'll definitely want to see that you have recorded and responded to the client's complaints in accordance with your own policy and EYFS Statutory Framework 3.73 and 3.74.

If the complaint is about something minor, Ofsted will probably just 'phone to ask a few questions. End of.

If it's about something serious, they'll do an inspection and (assuming it's malicious) find nothing wrong. In short, the more serious the complaint, the higher the burden of proof to 'make it stick'. This works in your favour.

As mentioned, keep every communication in hard copy (and don't start getting into text conversations which provide no hard evidence.) I'd make Ofsted aware of these. I'm pretty sure they must be heartily sick of the number of hours they waste on malicious complaints. (Personally, if I could write one law, it would be to charge the cost of inspection and wasted resources to the source of any unproven malicious complaint.)

Provide the clients with a clear final statement of outstanding fees, including anything owed in lieu of notice. Contact your insurer to advise them you expect this to end up as an unpaid arrears dispute and that threats have been made against you in an attempt at coercion. I would also ask your legal team if it might not be appropriate to report the clients to the police, as they are effectively trying to gain financial advantage by making threats. Make it clear to the clients that you will pursue any debts by legal means at no cost to yourself (covered by your insurer) and this may result in them incurring additional charges and possibly a CCJ ruling which ill affect their future credit rating.

Do not, under any circumstances, get personal or emotional with the clients.

Agree with bunnyip, and also I would let OFSTED know. I was (still am) having consistent issues with a horrible neighbour. I have informed OFSTED and provided them copies of the letters he has sent. They said that although they would still have to investigate if he made a co,plaint, that they would take into consideration the information I have provided.

Good luck, this is where I feel although you have to protect children, there is no deterrent to those who make malicious complaints, it is very wrong.

Oh by the way, was there anyone to witness her shouting at you, a teacher, or another parent who is not personally involved, maybe get them write what happened.

No there was no witnesses only her fella and little one as everyone had gone in

Agree totally with what has already been said, excellent advice. Also can I add that it might be a good idea to write all these incidents down so they're factual and every detail is noted down, it's very easy to forget something when asked or to let emotions get in the way and add bits on that might not have happened. Do this every time you come into contact with her, make it like a diary, write dates, exact times and use exact wording. At least then if there are no witnesses (which, sods law, there never is) it's still recorded down. Good luck with it all xxx

What a horrible bully of a woman! I know its hard but try not to let her pathetic threats upset you. Agree with all the advise already given. Stay strong and document everything. Lets know how it all goes. Good luck.

A similar thing happened to me just keep all communication with parents to show ofsted. Ofsted know that parents make complaints randomly when money gets involved and I'm sure you'll be fine but I know what your going through and nothing I say is going to make it better right now. Talk to whoever your support workers are and contact ofsted yourself giving then your side of the complaint and ask what is going to happen next

Thank you you've all been brill I'm writing the letters tomorrow and sending them so will pop back and let you know how I go on .
I've no idea how long it would take pacey to get the money back for me though
But I feel much better have had a awful weekend .

Hi,
Sorry to hear that these parents you have worked with are behaving in this appalling way to you. It is very upsetting. We give genuine care to their children and this is all forgotten over them not wanting to pay notice/holidays soooo often!

I have had a similar experience myself. I wrote back a clear rational letter to the parent concerned, telling them I was taking their letter and list of complaints very seriously and had informed Ofsted myself of their letter (I had nothing to hide). I tackled each accusation individually citing the bare facts. I said I accepted notice and stated amounts due, by what date etc said I had enjoyed caring for and wished their child all the best for the future.

Ofsted were actually never informed of the 'complaints' by the parents at all: it had all been a bluff to get out of notice fees. AS I had told them however, I had to follow their complaints procedure and complete investigations and a report. After the allotted time they sent me a letter saying that they had recieved a complaint (from me !) which they had no need to take action on as they were satisfied I was still acting within the remit of the EYFS guidelines following (my own :rolleyes:) investigation. They kept the 'complaint' on file, though it has never appeared online with my inspection report. I honestly wish I hadn't informed them. I inform them of things I legally must, but nothing else. Just my personal preference; do whatever feels right to you in your situation, of course :).

Overall you need to stay professional and document everything.

And you have us here to talk to if you need to, so know you are not alone :group hug::group hug:.

And definitely don't give in. I could have given parent money and it would have all been forgotten but I won't be threatened especially when I haven't done anything wrong. I feel that giving in to these threats is admitting your guilty of something

There really are some horrible people out there...I really feel for you Scm x

I'm inclined to think that they haven't made a complaint at all and are just trying to blackmail you...as harsh as that sounds.

Did I read it right that the other family mentioned the ofsted complaint on their letter? As in, the first family complained and said we won't take it any further if you let us out of the contract and THEN the second family have said that they know you've had a complaint against you and if the outcome is 'favourable' they'll pay you? I've probably gotten my wires completely crossed but if not then it all sounds very much like they're trying to hold you over a barrel...

There really are some horrible people out there...I really feel for you Scm x

I'm inclined to think that they haven't made a complaint at all and are just trying to blackmail you...as harsh as that sounds.

Did I read it right that the other family mentioned the ofsted complaint on their letter? As in, the first family complained and said we won't take it any further if you let us out of the contract and THEN the second family have said that they know you've had a complaint against you and if the outcome is 'favourable' they'll pay you? I've probably gotten my wires completely crossed but if not then it all sounds very much like they're trying to hold you over a barrel...

Yeah that's right the 2 Nd family said ofsted have contacted her to tell her I'm under investigation and if I'm deemed fit they will pay me !!
The thing is the first family was happy enough to have me 1 day this week and only pay me for that and not what we agreed that's when it kicked off and the complaints came rolling in .
They've obviously talked it through as its the same stuff

You are better off without both of these families. Hold your head up high as you have done nothing wrong. Post your letters, wait for their reply. Don't answer any texts or emails just write a letter to any they send you. If they have not paid by required time send them a formal letter stating you are going to legally claim your money from them. Good luck and don't get too down.

Thanks I know I'm better off as its never been right with them 1 was always late paying every month was an excuse the other was always late collecting !! I made many concessions for these families it was unbelievable
But between them they filled all my spaces , do I just see it as a blessing and get advertising and start again making sure I take a months deposit to avoid this situation again ?
I never realised what a vulnerable position we are in working alone , I'm hoping I won't be out of work too long and will stay positive and not let it put me off .

Wow! I can't believe people could be so sly...well, try to be!

I may just be getting cynical in my old age but I seriously think they're trying to pull a fast one...let the first family out of their contract, they drop the 'complaint' and then the second family will pay up? I reckon they're planning to split the cost of the second families fees between them and effectively each only pay half what they owe? Or am I just being hyper-suspicious? Not even sure that's a word!

There really are some horrible people out there...I really feel for you Scm x

I'm inclined to think that they haven't made a complaint at all and are just trying to blackmail you...as harsh as that sounds


I agree. It's disgusting how people treat others sometimes. After what's happened to me this week, I wouldn't be surprised what people get up to.

Stay calm and strong, I'm sure it'll all work out for you. X

I agree with the others it sounds like attempted blackmail to me. Sounds like you are handling it the right way. Good luck with your letter writing and hope it all works out. And you get some lovely families to fill there spaces. Hugs and stay strong.

You do realise if they come out to you. You will have a full inspection again. This is what happens now

You do realise if they come out to you. You will have a full inspection again. This is what happens now

If they have reported me and I have another inspection so be it there's nothing I can do .