Hi everyone!
I have a parent whose 2 older children have been coming to me before/after school for a few months term time only as mum is at uni. Apparently she receives a bursary to pay her childcare costs whilst she is studying.
When the new school term started 2 weeks ago, her youngest child started with me, she is only at part time school until Xmas so her childminding fees have increased considerably, although she was previously at a private day nursery which wasn't exactly cheap.
The mum showed me a letter this morning stating that her bursary has been stopped as they seem to think she has withdrawn from uni. She assures me that this is not the case, and that it will be put right but doesn't know how long it will take to sort out. Therefore she cannot pay me until it is sorted! I calmly stated that I am a business and cannot look after 3 children Mon-Fri without knowing when I am going to be paid.
She suggested that they only come to me a couple of days a week to keep costs down until she gets this sorted and then they will return to normal hours. I said that I had a waiting list for after school places ( partly true!) and that if she cut down her days I would have to give them to someone else as I cannot be without an income.
I think she thought I was being deliberately awkward. However, the mum is not the most reliable at paying and I have a feeling if I bend the rules now and only charge her for days she uses then I will be stuck with this system in the future. They are not the easiest children to look after boys age 10 & 8, girl age 4 so she will definitely have a problem finding alternative childcare.
I do rely on this money but am unwilling to back down on contracted days etc as I think I will come to regret it when she messes me about in the future. Have said I can wait for this weeks money til end of next week but after that I would have to withdraw care until payments are up to date.
Does this seem fair to you all? My mum thinks I should be more understanding and flexible, but my DH ( who knows her) thinks I should stick to my guns as she will take advantage wherever she can. Hope this made some sense! Thanks x
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