Childminder giving notice - are Christmas and holidays included?

[IzziesMummy]

My lovely childminder is about to give notice (as soon as she's got ink in her printer to be able to print the letter out!) to terminate our contract as her partner has just got a new job which means they have to re-locate to the opposite end of the country .

We have the standard NCMA contract, with 8 weeks notice period.

She does not work (or get paid for) bank holidays, and won't be working the rest of next week at her request(29th, 30th or 31st Dec). The following week (4th, 5th, 6th and 7th) we had already pre-booked holiday.

She has already given unofficial verbal notice (but without a fixed date - just saying 8weeks), but am I right in thinking that the notice period shouldn't officially start until I've received formal written notice?

Also, the NCMA contract states that notice of termination of contract should not include a period of holiday of either party. Does this mean that she has to give me 8 weeks notice PLUS an additional 7 days to include for the Christmas holiday period? Or should there also be an additional 3 days notice to include the 3 bank holidays?

I don't want to be difficult, but am worried that I won't be able to find a good alternative childcare solution (will consider nursery and other childminders) and want to allow myself as much time as possible. Obviously if I had sorted out alternative arrangements, I'd be happy to waive any remaining notice period.

This is all complicated by the fact that she's my best friend and I'm devastated at the thought of her moving away (and she's been a great childminder, my son loves her and her daughter and will also miss them so much)

I just want to be sure of my position before I actually receive the written notice.

She's not a bank so imo 8 weeks would include bank holidays etc.

You can argue all you like but if she's moving how can you get your child to her the other side of the country? She is bound to put her family first so I would simply start looking.

In my experience, it's 4 weeks notice period that's standard so 8 weeks is generous. My CM also uses official NCMA contract.

Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear. x

Quite often cm will recommend someone else to you with a space if they know of someone. Have you asked her if she knows anothe cm with a space?

It was actually her idea, not mine, to have 8 weeks notice period as I think she was worried about being left without mindees, rather than the other way round! And no, she hasn't recommended anyone else, but I will ask her if she knows anyone.

Her DH is starting his new job in a couple of weeks, so before the 8 weeks notice is up, and will move first and stay with family friends. She will be staying here until her job ends (ie. until the end of notice period) and will then join him later.

I just wanted to be clear what the contractual position was (bearing in mind we will probably reach compromise in any event, I just want to keep her here as long as possible!)

The notice period should not include any holidays or time off. Might be worth giving NCMA a call to clarify.

However I think an 8wk notice period is extremely generous and more than adequate notice and time for you to find and arrange alternative care.

Start with asking her for her recommendations.
Ring your local FIS for a local list
www.childcare.co.uk
www.childmindingforum.co.uk

If she is such a good friend I'd recommend forgetting what you're entitled to make her do and try to work out an amicable compromise between you. Ask her what date she thinks the notice period should end and either ask her to be a little flexible as a goodwill gesture or accept what she says.

I understand that you need your childcare covered but she may resent being pushed into staying for longer. That could risk spoiling what sounds like a lovely friendship which would otherwise be a special part of your life for many years.

Was just about to write what Al1son has put - well said.