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Paid childcare

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

Original poster

Do I have to still pay when childminder takes a holiday?

144 replies

colacubes · 23/07/2008 01:35

Obviously this isnt just a money issue as child minder is a trusted professional who takes care of my dd, so dont want to upset the applecart, but.

I go to pick dd up and the cm informs me she is having a 2 week holiday in 6 weeks, so fine,obviously I will have to make other arrangements, so I mention the situation in regard to fees, to which she replies, "Oh I still get paid, its my holidays"

So my question is, I pay for her service, she is not an employee, so why do I have to pay for her bloody holidays. I am self employed and no bugger pays me. I of course said nothing, my mind ticking, slightly bemused, and trying to think about the bigger picture.

Until today I get a text informing me she is booking another day of later in the year as a holiday and I will have to pay for this day also. So I will either have to pay for her day off and then pay someone else to care for my dd, or pay for her day off and take one myself to care for dd, and not get paid, because, I am self employed!

Is this a normal arrangement with childminders ?

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MrsFluffleHasAWuffle · 02/08/2008 12:24

I agree, I don't think you can give notice in a holiday period sorry CC. Check out what it says on your contract. Good luck with nursery - just remember you'll have to pay for all the holidays still.

VV a very good point you make there about people claiming chilcare costs.

changedmenameforthis · 02/08/2008 12:04

or you could just try a boarding school. that way you could spend the least amount of time possible with your child and have more time on here slagging off people who earn a pitence for 50+ hour weeks.

jillyj · 02/08/2008 11:57

most ncma contracts state notice should not include holidays.

vInTaGeVioLeT · 02/08/2008 11:52

i see what you are saying aGal - but that's what i don't understand - the parents are paying more but they are happier?!

i am doing exactly as i was advised to do when i undertook my childminding foundation course as advised by the NCMA and my local CMA - i don't care how many times this debate comes up - i feel i am in the right!

Everyone i childmind for is paid every week{holidays too} most of them are paid sickpay, they also get help paying for childcare by the government this is also paid to them every week.

I am not money grabbing - i am not ripping off my clients.

cola-cubes i'm sorry you have decided to remove your dd from the c/m and put her in a nursery BUT that surely that is down to the relationship between you and this c/m? {who i agree sounds rather money grabbing and unprofessional}
I hope that your dd will enjoy nursery

aGalChangedHerName · 02/08/2008 11:31

Colacubes,i am not sure that you can give notice in a holiday period. Someone correct me if i am wrong. In Scotland i think notice has to be given outwith any period the parent or CM is on holiday.

I do not charge for my hols but i have put my hourly rate up and work out a monthly fee which incorporates hols etc and i actually get paid more now than i did before.

I am happy,parents are happy!!

Maybe something you other CM's should think about? Would save the bitching from parents and posters like the ones on here.

Original poster
colacubes · 02/08/2008 11:25

Mrs i am paying simply because of the situation that was pointed out by vInTaGe, I do not want any animosity to be around my dd at the cm.

I will serve notice on monday, she is off for 2 weeks then I will either see where the land lies in relation to her wanting dd there or not for the remaining 2 weeks.

If she is in good spirits about her being there then fine, if not then fine either way I am sorting alternative arrangements with a nursery.

OP posts:
MrsFluffleHasAWuffle · 02/08/2008 11:04

CC I can't understand why you are paying if it is not in your contract??( thanks for FINALLY answering that question )

vInTaGeVioLeT · 02/08/2008 10:39

julesnobrain - if you'd make your decision on where to leave your dc from reading an out of hand and overheated thread on mumsnet i'd say your mumsnet name is a really good choice.

InTheDollshouse · 02/08/2008 09:16

Cola, I would guess most self-employed people factor in things like leave when they set their hourly rates. That's why the hourly rates for most freelancers are higher than the hourly rate for an employee doing the same job - because the freelancer has to cover their own annual leave, sick leave, pension etc. Perhaps you should raise your rates?

Original poster
colacubes · 02/08/2008 08:35

LMAO!

I cant have a sit down, I have to work for a living, unfortunately no bugger to pay for my hols!

OP posts:
PinkChick · 02/08/2008 08:24

CC go and have a sit down love, its all getting to you..YOU said Cm's have "Upside down get out clauses", i was taking the micky out of your comment not secretly trying to con parents, you really are looking for things that arn't there..including your holiday payment agreement with your cm...and WHERE did it say on mine at that point that my comment was in relation to holidays????...bless

Julesnobrain · 02/08/2008 01:33

Wow - if there was any reason to chose a nursery over a cm, you ladies have just provided it. Thanks!

vInTaGeVioLeT · 02/08/2008 00:32

i know that when parents piss me about turning up late/early, changing their minds at last minute or even turning up when not booked in - it puts me in a bad mood.
Which changes the vibe in the house.
Kids pick up on that.

Original poster
colacubes · 02/08/2008 00:11

"LOL..dya mean my get out clauses???wink" posted by pink on another cm thread. In reference to holiday pay!!!!

OP posts:
vInTaGeVioLeT · 01/08/2008 23:33

colacubes - the thing is - you are feeling pissed with your c/m - you are feeling hoodwinked - there is hard feeling on your part i presume your c/m is not stupid - so she will pick up on that, therefore she will feel pissed/upset about it - that will affect your daughter.

if you have not signed a contract saying you will pay holiday/ sick pay then you are a fool to pay it - she is also being very cheeky asking for payment before it is due.

I now realise how bloody lucky i have been with my longest standing mindee's mum - she filled in contracts alongside me whilst discussing anything she didn't understand , she agreed to my terms and signed. She pays on time every week, when she or i will be on holiday the following week she gives me my payment in advance[her idea] we have a good professional relationship - she is a gem

Original poster
colacubes · 01/08/2008 23:11

Pink I have said earlier that the reason I am paying her is because of the relationship my dd and her share, i can not afford any ill will between myself and her to reflect on my dds position in her home. So I am paying, but I have to say that I am still not aware why cm are paid holiday pay when se, nobody has yet to tell me why, this profession claim holiday pay from their clients when they are not employees. Are there other professions that do this?

I am beginning to think that this will become the eternal question, never to be answered, apart from, ncma tell us to, or you earn more than us so you should!!

OP posts:
MamaGLovesMe · 01/08/2008 20:49

Sto throwing your toys out of your pram, chnagemenameforthis. I bet you did!!

PinkChick · 01/08/2008 20:20

but why are you paying her when its not in your contract and you strongly disagree you should?, have you not discussed it with her? explained you didnt think it was right seeing as its NOT in th contract?..is it an ncma contract?

Original poster
colacubes · 01/08/2008 18:46

Well shes getting paid for nothing for the next two weeks.

OP posts:
changemenameforthis · 01/08/2008 18:02

perhaps cms should all work for nothing, that would make it easier for all you hard done parents wouldnt it

jillyj · 01/08/2008 17:38

found this on daycare trust site;Childminders are self-employed so to some extent they set the ?policies? regarding sick pay and holiday pay. Childminding rates are a childminder?s income, so like all workers, they need to ensure that their income is maintained. All details relating to sick pay and holiday pay should be made clear in the Contract between the childminder and the parent. It should state when parents will and won?t pay fees (e.g. when child/parent are on holiday, when childminder is on holiday / when child/parent is off sick, when childminder is off sick) and also any notice period required (for example some childminders may not charge a fee or may charge a reduced fee if either parent or childminder notifies the other far enough in advance of forthcoming holidays.)

jillyj · 01/08/2008 17:32

this is why i always put everything in writing again and again and again. a contract is legally binding so if it has been signed i would expect the parent to have read through it all with a fine tooth combe. i would refuse to pay her holidays, if she gets funny you probably have grounds to leave sooner, what is the notice period, have you checked the contract with regard to that?

imananny · 01/08/2008 17:31

so why do the ncma advise cm's to put in holiday pay considering they are se?

as stated by many people - se people do not get paid holiday or sickness pay - my hubby doesnt

though also agree that IF it is in the contract, then should be paid, and then is the fault of the parents for not reading the contract or for reading, signing and agreeing

you can basically put anything in your contract - for example I have in mine that i get paid 6weeks sick pay, and that any holidays over 2 weeks that employer chooses, that i the nanny, will still be paid in full

sure many of you mums (employers to nannies) will disagree to this, but thats what is in my contract and my mb was happy to sign it

elkiedee · 01/08/2008 15:37

When my friend found a childminder a few years ago the advice from the Council was that she should expect to pay 4 weeks holiday. I can see it's not easy sometimes but most childcare providers (including nurseries) charge for more than just the time used.

I pay my CM weekly at the start of the week and so far those days when I've chosen not to use her or bank holidays have been paid too. True, dp and I are both employees but as the current system means parents have to cover childcare out of their income, however difficult that is, that's what I expect to do.

This has made me realise I'm not sure of the deal on paid holidays for her, but so far she hasn't taken any. I'm sure she'd give me plenty of notice though. Her eldest daughter is also registered as an assistant for her.

PinkChick · 01/08/2008 15:23

my parents KNOW and appreciate my job is hard, it wouldnt be a JOB otherwise..i KNOW of people on here who have been recognised previously..but anyway, not the issue..have you asked her what her policy is and told her as it was not in contract you dont agree to paying?

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