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Original poster

Calling All Childminders: What holidays should you take

33 replies

MyBoo · 16/04/2010 00:03

I am hoping some childminders are reading this.

My Childminder contract states that when I am on holiday I have to pay her full money but when she is on holiday I don't have to pay her. I think this is pretty standard ...But .... My childminder is not taking any holidays this year so I will have to pay her for 52 weeks and so will the other parents.

Is this correct - can she do this. Between Christmas & New Year when all the parents are not at work she will not have any children but she will receive full pay from all parents.

Is she allowed not to take any holidays. Surely she is subject to the working time directive like the rest of us and should take 20 days off work?

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xoxcherylxox · 16/04/2010 09:21

as shes self employed and recieves no pay for her holidays maybe she cant afford to take time off. i know if it didnt work my fee out so that i got paid the same all year round whether im on holiday or the child then i could not afford to take holidays as i just have to many bills to pay.

if it were a nursery you would pay 52 weeks of the year so i think parents should expect to pay 52 weeks then its a bonus to them when the childminder takes holidays and they olny pay half fee or nothing

lollipopmother · 16/04/2010 09:20

Maybe she assumes that her mindees will be taking holidays and therefore she will get days off anyway so she's not arranged any holiday off her own back? As I said before, I've only booked a week and a couple of days off but I've had far more than that through cancellations and mindee holidays.

Original poster
MyBoo · 16/04/2010 09:15

I was happy when we put the contract together, ie full fee when we are on holiday and no fee when she is on holiday.

I have pushed her to tell me when she is going to take leave as my work are pushing me to put leave requests in and also I wont have enough days so we will have to arrange for grandparents to take some time off work as well etc.

Thats when she said she wasn't taking any holidays this year. I just thought that everyone had to take a break from work.

I have to admit I am begining to worry whether we have made the right decision. Oh I hate working!

OP posts:
Numberfour · 16/04/2010 08:35

i don't think anyone can be at their best (or anywhere near it) working flat out at 52 days a year.

i would find another CM.

lollipopmother · 16/04/2010 07:36

''I am actually thinking of just charging full fee for parents leave and nothing for my own time off.''

That is what I do, but I reduce it to 1/2 fee if the child is sick because I don't want them bringing sick children to me, so far I don't believe it's been exploited, maybe it will in the future but I hope that is not the case.

It so happens that this year I have taken the BHs off so far and a single day in June to go to a concert, and I've got a week off in September but that's it.

Danthe4th · 16/04/2010 00:53

She can do what she likes its up to you to negotiate a contract that you are happy with before you sign it.
If she is open for business 52 weeks of the year that is up to her, but she then has to be available for all those days and it should be very clear in the contract.
If you are not happy ask for a contract review so you can discuss it, if you are still not happy then you have the choice to give notice and move to another childminder.

NoahAndTheWhale · 16/04/2010 00:29

Childminders are self employed so it is up to them what holiday they choose to take.

Scarfmaker · 16/04/2010 00:24

I used to receive full fee from all parents when I was on holiday and this included the period from Xmas until the New Year.

For the past 3 years I have been taking 4 weeks annual leave at half fee.

Then again, this doesn't always work out as some parents take a lot more time off (4 weeks here and then another 4 weeks there etc. (some taking 12-15 weeks a year) so adding to my loss.

I am actually thinking of just charging full fee for parents leave and nothing for my own time off.