Anita Cooper Childminding

I contacted Anita in October 2021 and booked her to look after my baby from the 10th of January. Signed the contract, paid her in advance £720 as a deposit to secure the place at her setting.After me contacting her just after Christmas to find out when can my daughter start the settling in sessions she - in a group message- let us all parents know that she had an accident and needed surgery and she will not be working for at least 2 weeks. However once she has her assessment she will let us know.After 2 weeks i contacted her again as she did not updated us, then she replied that she will be off for an other 4 weeks at least. So at this point I asked her to refund me for my deposit, but she said that she is waiting for her insurance and will let me know.Later on when I asked her again she said she can not pay me back and there is nothing she can do at the moment, but refused to answer when she will be able to refund me, even though I suggested to pay back in 2-3 instalments.So this woman used my money since October, spent it, before she provided a second of service and now refusing to refund me .She caused an enormous amount of distress emotionally and financially !!! Accidents do happen, there is nothing anyone can do about it, but that does make it okay for her using my money!

Anita took payment for a months service but advised she was injured so couldn’t provide the care. I have been chasing her for a refund for a month, initially she was responding but now she is flat out ignoring me. This woman has conned me out of £500 fee and I am now seriously out of pocket as I have had to pay another minder to take my son at short notice.

Anita was taking care of my son and just like Timea and Charlee she also didn't give my money back for the advance she took. I don't want any other parent to go through what we have as there is no sign of her paying us our money back. Ofstead cant help which I find shocking and now we have to all go through legal means to get our money back. This procedure of paying in advance doesn't protect parents and should be looked into. This has caused so much stress mentally to find a childminder but also financial pressure.