Sending DS to childminder when on holiday?

[AlbertoFrog]

Childminder gets paid if I take holidays while she works. Childminder doesn't get paid if she takes holidays. Fair enough.

DH and I are off tomorrow due to the Jubilee celebrations but childminder has decided not to take time off as she can't afford to lose money. Told her last week we'd be sending DS as normal so that DH and I could have some time together. She commented (sarcastically I felt) "it's alright for some" and has been moaning about everyone else being off and her having to work ever since.

I get the impression she hoped not to have any mindees due to other parents getting the day off but as it's a work day for her she'd still get paid and she isn't paricularly happy I've scuppered her plans.

I told her she should have taken the day off then

So AIBU?

If the cm charges double it would be in the contract.

Sorry longjane "double time?

I don't pay at all if she's off. I pay if I'm off to keep DS's place open.

Is this not normal?

(disclaimer - my friend's childminder charges half rate for holidays on either side but his works out the same no?)

Some childminders don't work on BH and don't charge. Some don't work on BH and do charge. Some do work on BH and do charge.

You and your CM have probably put in the contract somewhere about BH and whether she works on them or not. If a CM does work on BHs then I would imagine you would pay a premium for that. I certainly would not charge my usual hourly rate if I had to childmind on a BH.

What does your contract say about BHs?

I get a list of her planned holidays for the following year in December and it's in the contract that I don't pay for these. She's taken some of the bank holidays I get through work but not all and she's not charging any extra for those she hasn't taken so maybe I'm onto a good thing?

check your contact

Seems straight forward enough but will re-read just in case there's something I'm missing.

But must go to bed before trying to read anything official.

Thanks for input everyone. Will definitely check things out.

So does she pick and choose whether she works on BHs or not? I am not sure that I understand what is it that you two have agreed - and apologies! It really it not what the original AIBU was about, but Mon is a BH so I wondered if OP would normally be using the CM on a BH!?

Do you have to work some BH and do you need a CM on those days?

I get most BHs off. Childminder takes some of those BHs but not all. She doesn't get paid for those she chooses to take off. I only started with childminder in December so not sure exactly how she chooses which days to take off but I get a list of her holidays for the year ahead which I don't pay for.

Any holidays I then take when she's available for work - I pay for the days she'd normally have DS.

Tomorrow isn't a normal BH (never had one in June before) but is extra due to the jubilee and she's decided to work it. So I'm sending DS in order to spend time with DH (unusual for us to get the same bank holidays as he works for an American company) and to help him with heavy work in the garden.

Hope this makes sense (am actually beginning to confuse myself )

Tomorrows BH should have been the normal spring BH but they moved it to now and added the jubilee day to make a Mega Bank Holiday weekend.

If that makes any difference anywhere (like if she's entitled to 8 BHs over the year, it's only one extra day on top of those rather than two?)

It's a normal BH, but not at the normal time.

Im a childminder too, I wont work BHs, (dont want to, as I like to spend time with my kids and DH) as Im not available, I dont charge.

Very cheeky of her to complain even when it is diguised as banter.
She is open because she can't afford the extra Bank holiday. You are paying her so have every right to use her services.
I totally understand your need to do stuff in the house without distraction. Have no guilt about taking your DC to her tomorrow.
Many people use childcare when they are not at work to catch up with things. I bet those who swear they don't have used family to 'watch the DC' instead. Don't feel guilty in the slightest.

It's not actually an extra Bank Holiday, you are lucky shes not charging double tbh

Don't feel guilty. You're perfectly entitled to send your child if she's open. Perhaps she does feel a bit sad that she can't take time off: I'd just ignore her comment and take it as banter.

I was hoping to take time off so I could close and the parents wouldn't have to pay me. Everyone was up for it, but now two of them have changed their minds. In order to be fair, I have to open for them and not charge those who are keeping their kids at home. I admit I feel a bit sad about it, but I wouldn't let them know that.

Trying to work out when I can get the house spring-cleaned and sorted [sigh]

Usual - It is an extra Bank Holiday if your contract is x days plus bank holidays. This year you will get paid for 9 not 8. If you have x days including bank holidays, you wont get an extra paid day.

OP - She's chosen to work and get paid for the day, that's her choice. Your choice is whether to pay and use it or pay and not use it - if you have stuff you need/want to do then it's a no brainer isn't it :)

Tanith - that's a shame, but surely you could have just said 'Sorry, I'm not open Jubilee weekend'? Why are you asking them?

I hadn't planned to close originally - sometimes parents need me. It was only when everyone started saying they'd be taking the week off that I suggested it.

And, because we didn't officially close to start with, I can't really do much now some have changed their minds. I'm my own worst enemy

Oops - definitely me being over sensitive.

Dropped off DS yesterday and CM had all her regulars.

Hope everyone enjoyed the day whatever they got up to. Sorry for those who were working (poor you Tanith) but if it's any consolation I put the day to good use and got loads done without the distraction of DS under my feet. Didn't have time to feel guilty and would do this again without hesitation.

Thanks for all your replies.

most of the people i know with young children keep up their usual childcare routines during holidays, to get some time to themselves and so as not to disrupt the child's routine.

Good point lovebunny and as DS is an only child I like that he gets company of other kids when at the CM.

Tanith - you and me both!! :)

Alberto - glad you had a good/productive day! Just goes to show how we often 'project' doesn't it!!