Shannon's Reviews

Unreliable

I contacted Shannon in late June looking for a childminder. She got back to me two weeks later, and from then agreed that she would take on childminding for my son who was due to start preschool nursery in the middle of August. She said she would have to charge me a half day fee even though I only needed her for two hours every afternoon. I agreed as by this time she seemed my best option - closest to home and nursery, and available. I called Shannon, who had not been returning my texts or messages, in mid July, to arrange to meet her with my son. She said this could happen in a few weeks time and gave her assurance that she could definitely take on the role. She did not offer to send me a contract. I gave my son's existing private nursery notice at this point. However, when I called her again three weeks later, and messaged her, she did not return my calls. Eventually I messaged her mother, who is also a childminder (with good reviews), and Shannon then got back to me. She told me that another parent had approached her looking for a full time place and that it she would get back to me by the end of the day as she was trying to juggle things around to accommodate us both. She did not get back to me until the following day, when she said it was "better for business" for her to take the full time child. She offered her apologies, however I feel her way of conducting business is irresponsible. She did not offer me a contract and in hindsight in July I should have pushed her to sign one. She has no idea of the disruption she has caused - my son's private nursery have now given away his full time place, and I cannot uptake the preschool nursery place as I can't find a childminder to replace her at such short notice. My son, who has been settled in nursery since the age of 1, now has no childcare in place from Christmas until he starts school in June. To say I am upset does not even start to describe this. Shannon is clearly a young woman who is looking to make money and while there is nothing wrong with that, I feel she will always let down parents who are not the highest bidders. Make sure you get her to sign a contract and if she starts not answering your messages, don't employ her.

• Overall
• Communication

by ToscaMar about Shannon on 14/08/2018

Response by Shannon on 14/08/2018:

Hi thank you for your review and I’m so sorry that this is the way things have planned out. When I hadn’t got back to you at first i did explain my reason and all was well moving forward. However I was then off on annual leave and was contacted for a full time place which is more beneficial in all aspects - I took everything into consideration and tried re-juggling my current families about to provide care which didn’t work out I then was on the phone to see if I could take on a volunteer as to which I would need to pay from my own money to accommodate all as well. I completely understand that you think me saying better for business is about me just trying to make money but I can assure you it is not - as much as I try my best to suit all - having a family in full time rather than a family who just needs care 2 hours a day would be more beneficial to me in all aspects. It allows me to stay out the whole day on trips or general days out without having ties to be back by certain times etc. I understand that you feel me charging you half day fees when you only need 2 hours is unfair either but from my side of things - even if you only need 2 hours every day in the afternoon that’s still a whole afternoon space taking up .. I’m only allowed 3 kids a day so I couldn’t fill up that time slot from 1pm - 3.30pm and then I would be losing a lot more money. My business isn’t all about money making but I do have to earn in a way I can live and pay off all my own bills. The kids are always my priority and I just recently took on a bigger house with a lot bigger bills by myself just to ensure I had extra space, a playroom and a garden for my children to play in daily so I’m sorry if it comes across that I’m just trying to make money - I am just trying to make enough to ensure all my own bills can be paid. I run a very small childminding service so please understand I am trying my best. I have offered and will continue to offer if it helps you and your family at all my service until you have things sorted. I know it’s not much but please know I am sorry that things haven’t worked out.