at what point do you call parents to collect?

**emmaflossie** · 18-10-2010, 03:09 PM

ok so i have 2 mindees today 1 and 3 who really have not been themselves. Playschool said 3 year old could have done with being at home.
All they have both done all day is want cuddles and winged ... both have had 2 lots of medicine... have contacted parents neither of them have offered to come home just said keep me updated how they are ..... to make it worse both of them are never on time to collect!

have them both sat in the buggy now with tele on while i try and cook a meal which is really late!

**HELEN10** · 18-10-2010, 03:14 PM

Personally would have sent them home hours ago as they are obviously under the weather and need their Mum/Dad.

Would have asked parents pick up asap and not given them the option for them to decide whether to or not!

**emmaflossie** · 18-10-2010, 03:18 PM

i asked one to come collect and her reply was i have a client at 4 il get them sorted and be home!! honestly the other works in london so to call her back she wouldnt get here much before normal collecting time ..... just so annoying i have this trouble all the time when my son is ill im straight there in a flash to get him

Pipsqueak · 18-10-2010, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by emmaflossie

i asked one to come collect and her reply was i have a client at 4 il get them sorted and be home!! honestly the other works in london so to call her back she wouldnt get here much before normal collecting time ..... just so annoying i have this trouble all the time when my son is ill im straight there in a flash to get him

Ok so you asked parent to collect and she refused.
You have to sort this out now. You need to explain you don't send a child home for trivial reasons such as you fancy a day off or you want to upset the parent.
You need to point out that you could consider it a breach of contract to refuse to collect their child and in future you will be recording such incidents and you will then proceed to call the emergency and alternative contacts.
I would also be strongly pointing out that an ill child belongs at home with their parent in familiar and comfortable surroundings. You are not a nurse, you are a childminder with a responsibility to other children in your care.

You HAVE to have emergency or alternative contacts and the parents should ensure they have people they can call on in such situations.

**Blaze** · 18-10-2010, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Pipsqueak

Ok so you asked parent to collect and she refused.
You have to sort this out now. You need to explain you don't send a child home for trivial reasons such as you fancy a day off or you want to upset the parent.
You need to point out that you could consider it a breach of contract to refuse to collect their child and in future you will be recording such incidents and you will then proceed to call the emergency and alternative contacts.
I would also be strongly pointing out that an ill child belongs at home with their parent in familiar and comfortable surroundings. You are not a nurse, you are a childminder with a responsibility to other children in your care.

You HAVE to have emergency or alternative contacts and the parents should ensure they have people they can call on in such situations.

As above

**georgie456** · 18-10-2010, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Pipsqueak

Ok so you asked parent to collect and she refused.
You have to sort this out now. You need to explain you don't send a child home for trivial reasons such as you fancy a day off or you want to upset the parent.
You need to point out that you could consider it a breach of contract to refuse to collect their child and in future you will be recording such incidents and you will then proceed to call the emergency and alternative contacts.
I would also be strongly pointing out that an ill child belongs at home with their parent in familiar and comfortable surroundings. You are not a nurse, you are a childminder with a responsibility to other children in your care.

You HAVE to have emergency or alternative contacts and the parents should ensure they have people they can call on in such situations.

Ditto! I would have contacted the next person on the list to come and collect.

**miffy** · 18-10-2010, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Pipsqueak

Ok so you asked parent to collect and she refused.
You have to sort this out now. You need to explain you don't send a child home for trivial reasons such as you fancy a day off or you want to upset the parent.
You need to point out that you could consider it a breach of contract to refuse to collect their child and in future you will be recording such incidents and you will then proceed to call the emergency and alternative contacts.
I would also be strongly pointing out that an ill child belongs at home with their parent in familiar and comfortable surroundings. You are not a nurse, you are a childminder with a responsibility to other children in your care.

You HAVE to have emergency or alternative contacts and the parents should ensure they have people they can call on in such situations.

Agree with every word!

Miffy xx

**funfunfun** · 18-10-2010, 05:08 PM

Fantastic words of advice from pip

Pipsqueak · 18-10-2010, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by funfunfun

Fantastic words of advice from pip

Gonna see if Pauline will change my name to Sarah Jnr or The Oracle ROFL

**miffy** · 18-10-2010, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Pipsqueak

Gonna see if Pauline will change my name to Sarah Jnr or The Oracle ROFL

Not content with your own button then?

Miffy xx

**emmaflossie** · 18-10-2010, 05:47 PM

thats fab advice hunni ... i did ask playschool to call mum if they thought she shouldnt be there this morning to save me even going up there to get her but that didnt happen ... one mum came early the other child perked up after some calpol so im still waiting for her

I will def follow all that advise next time thank you very much.

I just never know how ill a child should be before i call the parent i guess ... but in future when its interfering with the others and our routine i will be requesting a pick up!

Pipsqueak · 18-10-2010, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by miffy

Not content with your own button then?

Miffy xx

darned right - I am getting delusions of Forum Domination.....

actually that sounds really rude

Pipsqueak · 18-10-2010, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by emmaflossie

thats fab advice hunni ... i did ask playschool to call mum if they thought she shouldnt be there this morning to save me even going up there to get her but that didnt happen ... one mum came early the other child perked up after some calpol so im still waiting for her

I will def follow all that advise next time thank you very much.

I just never know how ill a child should be before i call the parent i guess ... but in future when its interfering with the others and our routine i will be requesting a pick up!

Emma i wouldn't wait till there is a next time, I would call her in for a formal chat now. I know it might mean being a bit uncomfortable but i would get it sorted out now before there is a next time - get it down in a policy as well and give it to her. That way there should NOT be a next time.

**emmaflossie** · 18-10-2010, 06:13 PM

perfect thanks i will do just that ... that's not my only prob either atm all driving me mad not been paid by one of them either so have had to sort that tonight

**juejue** · 18-10-2010, 06:56 PM

I had to phone a mum today in work.

Little x 18 mths was sick last night all over mum, but was fine this morning.
Ate all his breakfast, snack, dinner and played all morning. Mum rang after dinner to check on him and I said he was fine.....he was having a nap. but I have noticed a little rash all over him. It may be a heat rash I will keep a eye on him I said.

Woke up hour later, didn't want to play, only wanted cuddles and was burning up. Rang mum and she was there within 10 mins.

Just been told he is in the hospital.....I hope he is ok

**miffy** · 18-10-2010, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Pipsqueak

darned right - I am getting delusions of Forum Domination.....

actually that sounds really rude

Sounds kinky to me!

Miffy xx

**Erika** · 18-10-2010, 07:35 PM

She won't have any clients to be concerned about if her contract is terminated because she won't stick to her end of the bargain by collecting a sick child

Pip is spot on. Some parents you only need to give them an inch on one occasion, then on every other occasion that follows, they'll take a mile because they think they can get away with it.

In respect of the non payment, do you have a late fee policy? If so, implement it - you'll find they won't be so quick to with hold payment when they see how much is added for late payment and that you will follow through each time. If not, you can set one up and give it to each set of parents with a covering letter along the lines of the quote below, tailored to what you prefer to write:

Dear Parent,

New policy in respect of overdue payments

Owing to some contracts not fulfilling payment by the date due, I have been left with no alternative but to introduce a policy for overdue payments.

Please note that effective from XXX date, a fee of £XX amount will be applied each day following the overdue payment until the sum owed along with the associated charges are paid in full. I enclose a copy of the new policy for your records.

Regards
emmaflossie.

Although they essentially mean the same thing, personally I think the word "late" is informal and I find isn't often taken very seriously. The word "overdue" is more formal and has more of a stronger tone to it. It's not simply "late", it's "overdue". If for example, someone was not to pay their phone bill on time, the letter would not be worded "late payment", it would be worded "payment overdue" and often in red writing to highlight the serious tone. Hope you get what I mean!

**juejue** · 18-10-2010, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by juejue

I had to phone a mum today in work.

Little x 18 mths was sick last night all over mum, but was fine this morning.
Ate all his breakfast, snack, dinner and played all morning. Mum rang after dinner to check on him and I said he was fine.....he was having a nap. but I have noticed a little rash all over him. It may be a heat rash I will keep a eye on him I said.

Woke up hour later, didn't want to play, only wanted cuddles and was burning up. Rang mum and she was there within 10 mins.

Just been told he is in the hospital.....I hope he is ok

Just had a message and he is getting tested for MENINGITIS omg

**Erika** · 18-10-2010, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by juejue

Just had a message and he is getting tested for MENINGITIS omg

Poor soul - is it a lumbar puncture they are giving him? My little one had it as a baby, it's truely awful.

If it is bacterial meningitis (sounds like bacterial in the form of meningococcal by the temp and rash) then the public health department may be in touch with you - they may need the names and contact details of anyone in close contact with the child recently and for a prolonged period. This is so that anyone considered "at risk" can be given antibiotics - which make every bodily fluid turn orange! I was crying orange tears after taking them.

**Ripeberry** · 18-10-2010, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Erika

Poor soul - is it a lumbar puncture they are giving him? My little one had it as a baby, it's truely awful.

If it is bacterial meningitis (sounds like bacterial in the form of meningococcal by the temp and rash) then the public health department may be in touch with you - they may need the names and contact details of anyone in close contact with the child recently and for a prolonged period. This is so that anyone considered "at risk" can be given antibiotics - which make every bodily fluid turn orange! I was crying orange tears after taking them.

How worrying for the parents and you of course

I had a lumbar puncture done when I was 2yrs old. One of my earliest memories, still gives me the shivers