Am I right to feel a bit miffed?

She doesn't sound like a particularly well organised cm to me! I think 2 weeks is actually enough notice tbh, but on the other hand, how much notice does she expect from you? I'd review your contract if I were you. I'm a cm and I basically say 4 weeks notice for big holidays iykwim, but occasional days, as long a possible. You can't factor in emergency days afterall. Bit confused as to why you have to pay her FULL pay, when she is taking a day off. You still have to find childcare, so you're paying twice imho. Somethings not quite right about it, what is she doing that means she can have your nephew because she forgot, but not your lo?

I don't think 2 weeks is very long to give notice of a holiday. I'd have to give more notice than that at work. Why should CMing be any different?

Of course they are allowed holidays!

But with all three cms I have had, they tell me right at the outset the holidays they take in a year and we fit in with that. Lots of jobs impose restrictions on holidays.

Dh keeps a certain number of his holidays aside to cover childcare emergencies which are bound to come up in the year. I have very restricted holidays. If the cm took holiday at short notice, it would be a big panic for us.

It is something to sort out right at the beginning, though.

So childminders aren't allowed to have holidays? Sorry - but that sounds unreasonable to me.

Your working arrangements should not be the concern of your childminder. If my child went there then she could give me a week's notice and I'd be happy.

If this is a normal working day, then yes I would be miffed. I and my childminder go on the understanding that I work Monday to Friday and so does she unless there is an emergency. (Same with two previous cms.)

I have arranged short term cover for childminders' out-of-the-blue things like funerals, jury service, medical appointments and that's what I would expect. I wouldn't expect to sort out cover for extra holidays.

Presumably if your SIL's child also attends then you and she can get together to arrange one carer for both children?

I agree it's inconvenient for you but 2 weeks seems reasonable to me. I can understand it's difficult for you and dh to swap shifts or get cover in the jobs you do, and with that in mind, i would be inclined to think about alternative childcare for your ds especially if it has happened before. At least at a day nursery this sort of thing doesnt happen, the downside being they are usually more expensive than childminders. Its whats best for you as a family.

FlossALump - the fact that you find it difficult to arrange leave is your problem not hers - after all, it's only one day. However - there's no way that you should still be expected to pay for that day if that's what you're saying. You are paying for the service she provides and she's not providing it that day - so you need a reduction equivalent to one day's childcare.

DH needs 4 weeks notice for time off

Personally I'd get your SIL to double-check that her child is in fact being looked after by the regular child-minder, as it doesn't sound to me as though she is likely to give up her weekend that easily. Also I naively thought that many childminders themselves had someone to call upon in such a situation. If her charges' parents were both teachers, they would NEVER be able to get that sort of time off unless they lied and phoned in sick. I do think that 2 weeks is a little short notice, given that you are both on shifts, I daresay. Aranging your timetables is probably already a feat in itself. This kind of situation is the reason why I did not go back to regular work until my kids were a lot older. I was lucky though that I didn't have to.

2 weeks is great!!

More than enough time to sort out childcare.

In fact, in an emergency you would have no notice at all

I think 2 weeks notice is more than reasonable.

Sorry, i dont see the problem, its only one day, 2 weeks is a bit short notice but is enough time to make other arrangements.