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Original poster

Is paying for childminders holidays normal?

30 replies

kermit123 · 31/08/2010 16:24

My little girl has been with her current childminer since she was 5 months old. She is approaching her 2nd birthday. We are very happy with the care that is provided, however, there is one thing that is causing us concern.

The childminder asks that when WE are on holiday we pay half fee's for the time we are away. Fair enough...

Shje also then askes that when SHE is on holdiday we pay half fee's. Is this normal as it seems strange. I understand that when we are away we have to pay to'hold the place' but if she is away we have to arrange time off work (which is not easy) and also pay half fee's for a place that is not even there to hold!

please let me know if this is normal, if not, what do I do and what are my rights to complain?

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AnnieLobeseder · 31/08/2010 17:03

I wouldn't expect to pay for a CM's holiday any more than I would expect to pay a nursery if they were closed.

However, I think CM's who charge half rate when you go on holiday are very generous since a nursery would still charge you full rate. I guess the difference is that CM's charge by the hour (usually), not a set monthly fee.

Original poster
kermit123 · 31/08/2010 16:59

thsi is great, thanks eveyone, excuse ranting, buit it just feels very unfair that we cannot afford a holiday and are paying £15 a be greatly inconvenienced and then have no holiday allowance left for when we choose to take it...

OP posts:
stomp · 31/08/2010 16:45

Sounds quite normal, although I prefer parents to pay full fees when they are on holiday and nothing for mine.
When I?m open I expect to get paid for the contracted hours, if I close due to my holiday or illness then i do not expect payment.

muddleduck · 31/08/2010 16:32

CMs can offer whatever fee structure they like - it is then up to the parents to decide if we want to use the service that they provode. You have no 'rights to complain' - you simply decide whether or not you agree to her terms (which are presumably in the contract that you have with her).

Do you know if her rates are typical for the area?

FWIW I don't pay my current CM when she is on holiday. Our previous CM did get 3 weeks paid holiday, but her hourly rate was lower so overall we paid about the same per year. Actually I preferred the latter as it made the monthly costs the same throuout the year, but I can understand for others this might not work so well.

The only situation that I'd not be happy with is if a CM had paid holiday without a clear limit on how much was to be take per year.

Northernlurker · 31/08/2010 16:32

If you've signed a contract agreeing to this I don't think there is much you can do tbh.
It does seem unfair unless she gives you some choice of dates? Or is it totally up to her when she goes?

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