Would it be fairer to be paid for these days?

[Neitherherenortherehey]

I’m a teacher and currently doing private tutoring. I’ve taught one student for around a year. I was asked to help with a specific subject they struggle with, but it soon became about helping with homework and prepping for school tests, which is fine.
My issue is, that sometimes, the parent will message me and say their dc says they have no tests or homework so there’s nothing to do, so no lesson. I’m also expecting because it’s due to be Easter holidays that I will receive a similar message soon. Is this fair? It means I’ll miss out on two weeks of pay.
I often have others asking for tutoring, but don’t have space due to devoting my hours to this student.
I don’t mind them not wanting some holidays or some days if there isn’t much work to do, but should I be paid for these?

You can't change terms without being upfront. If this money makes such a difference you need watertight terms which you can enforce or a back up plan. If you have prepped already say you are disappointed as you have already put time into it and will be reviewing the contract for after Easter. At the moment this family have the power to cancel and decline payment.

Draw up some terms and conditions and send out to all the parents stating they come into effect in a month or two (give a date). And then ask them to sign to agree.

I'm self employed. I found giving terms and conditions wasn't enough people still cancel and think they should not have to pay. Having them sign it makes sure they actually read them. And then also when they don't pay you can point out they signed threaten to go to small claims or whatever to get the money and they will pay.

I would suggest also you take payment a month in advance not in arrears this way you avoid the problem most of the time anyway

I think HMRC have some helpful videos and webinars on how to set up your business you may find them useful

If this is how you earn your living then you're running a business and have to set out terms and conditions upfront with regards to payment, cancellations, what period the tutoring is covering i.e. year round or term time only etc.

I agree with others that you should be asking for payment in advance e.g. a month/term/6 weeks in advance and no refunds if they cancel.

You have no one to blame but yourself for ending up in this situation with this client but onwards and upwards. Learn from this, posters have given good advice/suggestions as to how to proceed going forward so read through their replies again and make a plan. Decide exactly how you want to run your business as you're in charge here, stop letting clients decide how your business should be run. Once you've decided, contact your existing clients and let them know things are changing from x date, for example some date after the Easter holidays, you can't just change conditions without warning.

Most tutors are term time only. You can add a pound to the lessons to cover the holidays. Draw up contracts with a cancelling clause e.g. you need x days notice to cancel a session. Ask clients to pay in advance.