Holiday policy advice

[Acinonyx]

I have one dd going into yr 1 whoc goes to her CM 2 days/week after school and the same 2 full days in holidays. Our agreement has been that we don't pay CM when she takes holiday (she has no back-up cover) but we pay full amount when we are on holiday.

In the last year, this has meant pay 5 weeks of 2 full days/week that we have not used. I could switch to the out of school club which only charges for days used but I am loathe to do that as dd is very attached to her CM and the other dc there. She has been quite shy and I'm not sure she is ready for the school club just yet.

Would it be reasonable to ahve some other kind of arrangement with CM? Full fees for time not used does seem a lot - or is there no way out of this situation except to stop using CM. It is particularly aggravating as I find my hours come in intensive bursts of 3-4 weeks at a time - so some times I need more chidlcare but would have to pay extra - yet other times I can't use what I've already paid for.

I dont charge for my own holidays but I charge parents full fee for their holidays as I am still available to work, it is their choice not to send their children. Some cms charge half for both, others charge full for all - it depends on your cm.

I tell my parents at the beginning of the year when my holidays are and they often take theirs at the same taime, therefore saving themselves some money .

Please remember that your cm is running a business and has the same bills to pay as everyone else - I didnt appreciate that until I became a cm myself 5yrs ago. She is limited to the amount of children she can care for under the age of 8, and although you child is going into yr1, she still counts in those ratios.

You could switch to out of school clubs but I think you need to think of where your dd will be happiest - I've taken on children who were in out of school club in the past, for financial reasons,but didnt settle in the environment. Some children thrive in it, others need the one to one that cms provide, despite the cost,

Good luck

Gosh, so many spelling mistakes . I need an early night