No contract, I'm still so shocked
I met Rachel when I was almost burned out caring for my baby. My husband and I are European and we don't have any help from our families.
She made a good impression to me at first, she gave me an Emergency form, which i wrongly thought was the contract. We chose her because she had certifications and her house had a Montessori style.
For 5 months she was a good help to us. My 8mo baby girl was there part time, first once a week, then 2-3times a week. Rachel did increase our fees with no notice from 8£ to 10£p/hr, food was provided by us (food provided by her would have been £5 per meal). Also, i had to ask for her holidays as she would have advised other parents but not us.
My daughter struggled to settle over there as Rachel's place was too busy with kids, my baby was shy and clingy but she had made progress so we were waiting for her to better settle.
We were paying on time, we were on time in picking my baby up, we were flexible (Rachel would tell us which days my baby could go in the next week), everything was looking ok, we had a polite relation.
But one day she told me that she wouldn't be able to take my baby any longer on half day basis, she would have had her only on full days, starting from next week. This was a 2.5days notice, i was shocked, felt let down, as full days didn't work for our family and this was NOT our first agreement. As i didn't work back then, i rushed to find another childcare solution.
I honestly think that i could report her bad acting to somewhere more formal. I think parents should be aware and protect themselves.
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Response from Rachel
Responded
Dear Ana,
Thank you for your message. I would like to highlight the fact that a few things mentioned are not true and I have proof and evidence.
For context when you began coming to my setting you requested an occasional pay as you go use, which meant you only come when I had an availability each week. This all happened at the start of Januray 2022 after you took off four weeks of unpaid leave without notice, in which I never charged you. We are now in September and I have not heard from you since then . I am aware that since leaving my setting you have had issues with other childminders and you have also left them negative reviews. I know this because childminder’s communicate with each other. A childminder has to follow rules and ratio which means that when signing a contract there should be fixed days and hours. There is no such thing as “occasional pay as you go contract …”.
Despite the fact that we had a breakdown in our professional working relationship, I did give notice to everyone regarding changes in hours, days and pricing. All clients stayed and accepted the changes apart from you.
I had tried my best in every way to meet your demand of 9am to 1pm (1 to 2 days a week). The changes I made were very simple. I wanted you to have fixed days and times not whenever you feel like it as that is so disorganised and messing up my ratios. I proposed Monday or Wednesdays as on Thursdays and Fridays I was closed due to my course. As a childminder I have to keep updated and continue to learn so that I can provide a good service.
In addition to this, you stated that I charge £5 per meal when In fact I charge £5 for food for the day, in which parents have the choice to either pay or bring their own food. Furthermore you always provided your own food meaning you never paid £5.
Why should anyone be scared? And protect against what? Be aware that this is defamation with the intention to stain my good reputation and it is illegal to do this. My setting is always busy and all the other parents are happy with the quality of the service offered and their children are happy and develop during the time they spend within our setting. This is because I love children and what I do as a childminder. This is my passion and I love my job. Why would you seek to stain our reputation? Was your child mistreated? Were they not happy for the little times spent within our setting? Were they not fed? Were they not looked after and kept clean and happy to the times you picked her?
Please read the review of all other parents and see how they felt about our setting and service. I must say that your review is the only one that is negative which shouldn't be a major issue if only it was based on true facts and not modified with the intention to alter our image. No parent have left us because of a negative aspect or service within our setting. All the other parents that came before and after you are happy and still using our service to this date. Should anyone wish to verify this please contact us and we will be more than happy to show evidence. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST ANA and I hope you find what you are looking for.
