errm, its not the case danthe4th, wont go into it but it wasnt like that at all.

They realised you were upset so didn't rush into getting the replacement,I think the point that you kept asking them what the situation was, may have made them think that you were only interested in filling the space.Perhaps in the end they felt a bit pressured into leaving by half term, sounds like they got the hump in the end.
I'm only reading between the lines, perhaps there may have been a bit of misunderstanding between you both at the end.
Chalk it up to experience not worth being upset about, all parents are different.
I enjoy the children I mind but I also enjoy it when they move on and new ones start, I don't get upset but my children tend to get more attached to them than me, perhaps thats just me.

just found this

you dont EXPECT a thank you but it would have been nice, esp as you found them anew cm etc

def ask for a refernce

you should have asked them for proper notice or charged them the next month

they cant give you one days notice

Some parents just dont think about saying Thank you . I nannied a little boy full time 8/5 from when he was 8 m till he went to school at 5, also his baby sister for two years .
The parents gave me a months notice and on the day i left just said bye then .
I had my own child(the same age ,so the children had had grown up together) and was expcecting another .We didnt see them again for ages , (they were always busy when we wanted to see them ) I didnt want a gift , but certainly would have been nice to have a Thank you for taking care of our childdren for 5 years and being there for us and them when they were sick (and in hospital) and during all though wonderful moments , 1st step , talking etc.
Just know op that you did a good job of taking care of their child and move on to being a good childminder.

I'm not suggesting you were grabby, as I said the parents sounded rude but in your post where you talk about her being thrown in with her new childminder and your son's feelings of pining for her and your worry that she would be puniny for him I felt you did sound a little over involved for your own good really. You did ask in that post whether you were cut out for it and tbh I think you will need to take some sort of mental step back if you are going to deal with a succession of children.

Some parents will treat you as an extension of their family, others will treat you as a contracted hired help, many will be somewhere in the middle. Through all of that no doubt you will remain a professional caring childminder. But I do think if you're not going to get too upset when a child leaves you need to develop the ability to roll your eyes at people's rudeness rather than take it personally or continue to worry about the child.

I'm aware I'm not explaining myself well. I don't think you were grabby, I do think they should have said thank you but your post about worrying about pining does suggest to me that for your own sake you need to at some kevtl recognize that this is a contract of services - despite those being in your own home and involving children- and some parents will treat it as such. I'm not saying they should, but as a childminder I think you need to half expect it.

I could never be a childminder by the way as I know I would end up wanting to strangle the parents. Personally I think it's probably one of the hardest bits of childminding but unfortunately it is part of the job. You did ask whether you were cut out for it. I'm sure you are but you will need to get used to people treating you in that way.

I think you were right to be upset. I have been a cm or a lot of years and keep in touch with most of the parents and children. Some of them are now bringing their children to visit. Does make me feel old but its lovely

Thank you everybody, youve made me feel much better, Im going to ask for a reference and see how they are as well in a nice way...you never know, they may have just been busy and not got round to the thank you. I know it was only 5 months but like it was said before, it was long hours...most of her waking hours and quite intense as a result. And to reiterate to mrsturnip...im not grabby,a card would have been sufficient...which is what you did by the looks of things. This was the first baby that I looked after (in a professional capacity) and its all a learning curve I suppose. Thank you all for your comments.

I think a thank you card is a nice touch and a reference is an absolute must for any childcare professional. I have in my contract that a written reference will be provided at the end just as a reminder!

def ask for a reference. it is always good to have a set of refs to show prospective parents, anyway!

I think you sound a lovely cm and they, being rude and ignorant parents, were lucky to have.

Please remember most parents arnt like them and just be proud that you did a good job.