Skye

Started positive but ended abruptly

Skye was hired to take care of my four year old son whilst he was visiting my parents/his grandparents. Skye was great with my son and we had no issues there – which is very important! However, on Friday afternoon, Skye sent in her invoice for the previous week. Monday morning came and after texting to ask why Skye had not arrived she explained that it was because her invoice hadn't been paid. We then received a message saying that "Sorry since I'm still yet to receive payment unfortunately I am unable to come in but more than happy to come tomorrow once it has come through". My son's grandmother then tried to call Skye but did not get through and left a voice message stating that she was very "Surprised, but I don't want to get angry with you because I like you and respect you and so does Ari [my son]. However I do think that this is a little bit unacceptable". Skye then responded by text saying that "the tone of your messages has made me very uncomfortable and for this reason I will have to terminate this contract with immediate effect".

This left my parents without childcare for the remaining two weeks of the arrangement that they had made with Skye. Additionally, Skye sent in expenses (fuel/admission/snacks) totalling over £100, which had not been discussed or agreed upon beforehand.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Cara about Skye on 08/05/2024

Response by Skye on 08/05/2024:

Thank you for your review. Looking after A was a pleasure but do feel this review is not fully comprehensive of this unique situation. Unfortunately I did have to leave this role 1 week before it was due to end. (You mention two weeks here but we had a three week contract of which I worked two)

Cancelling a contract so abruptly is never something I want to do. It not only affects me financially but also is unfair on the children I care for. I thoroughly enjoyed caring for A, he was a delightful and engaging boy.

Firstly, fuel to take A to parks and playgrounds was agreed along with daily discussions of where we would go and what we would buy. I would never wish to go outside of a families budget and so made sure to discuss this with your mother and was all okay. Equally, if there was an issue with fuel costs/activities this could have been raised to be during my first week once that invoice was raised.

Secondly, you fail to note above that we had agreed due to the short nature of the contract I would be paid weekly and that I tried to contact all members of the family multiple times before I was due to attend on the Monday morning as I had hoped for the issue to be resolved quickly. Once I had gotten through to the family they stated they did not use internet on the weekend and would pay me that day.

Thirdly, the snippet of conversation you have included here does not expand to the fact your mother demanded I arrive at her home now, explain that I was young and she knows better or state that I needed to learn a lesson, coupled with the tone of voice this was said in. All of which made me feel very uncomfortable.

I have worked as a nanny for many many years and have exemplary references. It is disappointing this role had to end this way. It had a simple solution but unfortunately was not handled correctly.

I wish you all the best in the future.