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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

have found a minder but not sure on her terms

35 replies

gregssausageroll · 06/02/2011 14:20

Is this usual

She has 6 weeks holiday a year.

We pay £5.50 per hour but not for the 6 weeks a year she has off.

I just can't get my head around 6 weeks a year. I only get 20 days plus public as does my husband.

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Original poster
gregssausageroll · 06/02/2011 16:16

My inital reaction was bloody hell, that's expensive. Where I am in Scotland CM usually charge £3-£3.50 per hour.

OP posts:
Original poster
gregssausageroll · 06/02/2011 16:15

Good points raised. Thank you. I more questions to ask of her. 6 weeks I presumed were including PH and you are right we are only 2 less than that. Didn't calculate that properly.

Don't worry about comments made. You've made me think properly about it.

OP posts:
Bertina · 06/02/2011 15:05

6 weeks including public holidays is 2 days more than the general average (minium?) of 28 days including public holidays - I think you need to clarify whether public holidays are included.

Not paying when CM is on holiday but paying you are, is standard I think. Other way of doing it is half fees when either of you is away.

Ask when she takes her holiday too.

minderjinx · 06/02/2011 15:00

Lots of families would be delighted if their childminder or nursery offered six weeks payment free, so long as they had plenty of notice to allow them to plan their own holidays to fit in with this. If it doesn't suit you, I'm sure you will find plenty who will work and charge more weeks per year.

Blondeshavemorefun · 06/02/2011 14:45

as you dont pay her for her time off (and some cm do charge) i dont see what the problem is

get the dates in advance and plan accordingly :)

Tanith · 06/02/2011 14:40

Does it include public holidays?

NickNacks · 06/02/2011 14:29

Well your own holiday works out at 5.6 weeks a year (minimum amount for a full time employee) and I'm assuming she works longer hours than you to allow for commuting time.

Can you ask her if she has a back up CM? You and hubby have plenty to cover between you though.

I'm not sure why your Hmm about her holiday? Do you think she should only take the same as you?

(As above- I sound pissed but honestly not! Just the way this subject seems to come across whe written down!)

nannynick · 06/02/2011 14:26

How much notice do you get of when those holidays will take place? That's important to ask. As you may well get all the dates for the year, so can then plan alternative care.

Numberfour · 06/02/2011 14:24

hmmmm I sounded a bit aggro - did not mean to at all!!!!

Smile

I have heard of some CMs taking only a week a year. They cannot possibly have a decent break on that alone!

Numberfour · 06/02/2011 14:23

It is up to her how much holiday she takes. She is self employed.

Then it is up to you to decide whether you would want to engage her services on those terms or not.