Are you working throughout the summer holidays even though very tired?

[MUM2BLESS]

I have two weeks off from childminding to spend with my family and catch up on things.

Is anyone tired and needing a rest but need the finances. I know that some childminders charge half fee or not at all when they take a holiday.

Just interested to know.

Is there anyone who has put their hols on hold because the parent need them during the summer?

Sorry forgot to mention that my two weeks are in August.

The first year I minded I worked from xmas through to October half term - never, ever again!!!

I take 4wks off each yr - 1 at xmas, May half-term and 2 wks in summer hols, and make it clear that is my time with my family and for me to recharge my batteries. Only had 1 parent who objected in 4yrs.

I pro-rata my fees so that, even though I only work 48 wks a year I get paid 52 - that way my parents get to reduce their weekly childcare costs by a small amount each week but I have an income all year round. This means I get to take time off without worrying about paying the bills!

Off to Spain next week - hooray !

I am taking a week in August, but dont usually take any of the holidays off as it is my busiest time.

I usually take two weeks at Christmas, a week at the beginning of may and the last week in September, but then I dont have any children at home, so can go on holiday out of school terms, and find that parents can usually cover when children are in school, and my fulltimers, dont have children at school, so again parents can take holiday easily at the same time as me.

Working straight through, they break up tomorrow and it's all systems go til 7th September!! Would love a break during it but I planned my holidays to fit around it as it's my busiest time. Already can't wait til my week off at the end Oct I decided I wanted to spend some quality time with ds1 during one of the school hols so chose this one.

I normally take a week off in the Summer, but we really can't afford to this year. We had 2 weeks off at Christmas and I'm not sure when my next break will be. DH's redundancy last year means we cannot really afford to take a week unpaid.

I have two weeks booked at the end of August but I can't really afford it.

I am knackered, I haven't had any time of since Xmas. i have been rushing around for the last two years getting my degree completed, doing a zillion things and I have ended up poorly, I know I need a rest.......

Thanks everyone for that. Sorry should have replied earlier. Had some quite time so I was catching up on things ie paperwork....

I think its so necessary to have time to catch up on things whenever possible.

Even if I was not going any where I would have to take time off during the summer.

I have four kids of my own and mind five. Childminding is hands on at times.

I also believe that I can operate better if I am rested!!! Everyone will benefit from this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I taking 2 weeks in August too. Were on holiday for the first week and at home the second week. I just want my kids to have time at home with no mindees about.

This is the only holiday im taking though, as im currently the main bread winner, supporting my DH setting up his own business. It's gonna be a struggle with no income for 2 weeks.

Do you charge half fee or full fee during hols?

I charge nothing when it's my holiday, full for theirs.

I charge half fee if I take hols/half fee if they take hols too.

I charge whenever I'm available to work and refund/don't charge whenever I've closed (whatever the reason)

nowt for mine, full for theirs

I issue my holiday dates in October for the following year from january so the parents have lots of notice to co-ordinate theirs with mine

This year I am having a fortnight orf in August; I have worked all the way through all other years but this year I thought oh bugger it, my chaps need time orf too

BoysAre.... you seem really organised, have you been childminding for a while?

It will be 2 yrs Sept and I am leaning fast in all areas... believe you me.

I've been minding for 5 years

Snap with holidays, well actually no, it's October I do the fee review but I do give next years dates by the end of the year (usually Nov/Dec time).

i charge full rate for my holidays {4 weeks}
and half-rate if parents want extra holiday {4 weeks}
this year i'm taking all my holidays in school holidays as my kids are both school age now.
i'll be taking a week in August and praying i picked a sunny week!

when i started childminding i was told we should charge for holidays so i did and i've never had anyone not use me because of this.