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Original poster

Childminders Contract - does this sound right?

27 replies

BiscuitCrumbs · 11/11/2011 23:40

Hi - was wondering if anyone would be able to tell me is this sounds reasonable enough or is my CM taking the p*ss:

Parent or child being off sick: (Full fee)
CM's sickness: (1/2 fee)
Parent's occasional days off: (Full fee)
CM's annual holiday (Full fee): - she takes 6 weeks annual leave.
Parent / CM's holiday coinciding: (Full fee)
Public Holiday: (Full fee)

Does anyone else pay their CM's annual leave? I don't know whether or not I'm making a mountain out of a molehill or not, but I just have the feeling that somethings not quite right with this contract.

Would very much appreciate your thoughts on this.

Thanks
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FlipFantasia · 12/11/2011 00:08

I would be Shock at being expected to pay 6 weeks holiday! That's more than I (or DH) gets at work. As CMs are also self-employed I wouldn't expect to pay annual leave/sickness pay - i deal with freelance contracts on a daily basis at work and we don't pay holiday/sickness pay, as it's part of maintaining the distinction between freelance/employee. The terms your CM are asking for are what I would expect from a nanny (who is your employee).

Anyway, our CM doesn't charge for her holidays, public holidays or when she's sick. We pay full fees for our holidays and days when DS is sick (which I think is totally fair enough).

We're in North London btw.

lesstalkmoreaction · 11/11/2011 23:58

It depends how much an hour she charges, you need to tot it up over the year. I think charging half fee for her sickness is a bit much, if she is unavailable then you would possibly have to pay an emergency nanny.
I never charged for my holidays or bank holidays as I was unavailable but many childminders do, I was more expensive per hour than some others, if its a dealbraker for you then look elsewhere, 6 weeks is a lot of cover for you to find.
All contracts can be negotiated, try offering her less holidays or an increased hourly rate, does she have a waiting list?