Had agreement in place for months for my daughter's childcare alongside another childminder - including holiday cover and joint working. Had offered to pay deposit and sign a contract multiple times but was told not to worry and that there was no need to do so. Was sent emails confirming the space was available. 3 months later I phoned to cry off a face to face settling in meeting due to being ill and was rudely told that was inconvenient and was then told an existing client now wanted my days and hours so services were being withdrawn!! As a single mum with a full time high pressure job this caused me a huge amount of concern and distress not only as it left me trying to find another childminder with limited time, but also because of the manner I was dealt with. I was left feeling that it was somehow my fault that the service had been removed! I appealed to her to reconsider as her agreement with me pre-dated the new request for service, however she declined. I do not think it is honourable or acceptable to renege on an existing agreement simply to give preferential treatment to an existing client wanting to change the terms of their contract. The other parent should have been told the days and hours were already committed, or a conversation should have taken place with me to see whether I was happy to give up those days. It is essential, given the nature of the role, that childminders be reliable, honest and trustworthy and, unfortunately, in this instance that is not the case and I have been left in a frankly unenviable position where I may have to take unpaid time off work if I cannot find a replacement childminder to cover the days and hours. I recommend finding someone more reliable and who provides a contract on request. Hopefully this goes some way to preventing someone else being left in the same situation as I have been.

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