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Original poster

C/M's, help me not feel bad about charging for bank holidays..

32 replies

crace · 02/04/2007 08:14

I really don't want to spark a "you aren't working, you shouldn't charge" debate here. I know most c/m's charge for bank holidays, and I presented an invoice for the month with those dates on as normal rate.

The mum questioned it this morning, and perhaps I should have had a better answer, but I just said it's normal procedure amongst most c/ms. In fact I remember being surprised when my old c/m charged me.

I still feel bad though.

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Katymac · 02/04/2007 08:43

I charge for a childcare place......it is available 50 weeks of the year apart from Bank Holidays

They don't pay per day they pay for the "place" & that's how I "justify" it - if I ever needed too

Rebi · 02/04/2007 08:39

It amazes me that some parents seem to resent paying for childcare. I have been a childminder so maybe am more empathising! I now am back at work full time and have a fantastic childminder. As far as I am concerned we are a team and I pay her the same every week, regardless of bank holidays. I also paid her over Christmas, even though she was in Florida and I was working between Christmas and New year. I feel very strongly that the goodwill created is worth the money. She is going away for week in August and I will just fit in my time off with her and I will pay her (even though not on official contract).

I do not earn mega bucks (far from it) but I do get paid every week, so therefore so does she. If my childminder is happy, my children will be happy (and are) and I will be happy!

Good childminders are worth their weight in gold and should be appreciated!

mumlove · 02/04/2007 08:38

I don't get paid for my holidays, so I say to parents that Bank Holidays is the only time they will pay me when I am not working.
I don't expect them to pay if a bank holiday falls into a week I have booked as my holiday though.

fishie · 02/04/2007 08:33

i pay 50 weeks a year (cm has 2 weeks hols in august) and see this as paying for the place as well as the care. does that feel better?

ssd · 02/04/2007 08:31

I don't get paid

My decision, but I do regret it

Don't feel bad, wish I'd been more business minded at interview!

Pixiefish · 02/04/2007 08:23

Why shouldn't you be paid. The parents will be being paid and won't be at work.

It's normal practice to pay people for BH's not just CM's :D

looneytune · 02/04/2007 08:17

Well I charge too but I am available to work (but at double pay if needed). This is pretty standard where I am. All was discussed at contract signing as there is a section on the NCMA contracts about bank hols. Do you use these contracts? If so, what does it say on yours?