Ds's hours at childminder during mat leave

[stainesmassif]

Would it be ok to reduce ds's hours during my mat leave? Eg he's been there 8 til 6 3 days a week and I'd like to reduce him to 9-5 during maternity leave - he's sleeping in a bit more and I'd like more time with him in the evening.

Our cm is so lovely, I don't want to be unreasonable without realising it and she's always very accommodating, but I realise this would cost her 24 hours a month. However, i plan on leaving ds2 with her along with ds1 when I return to work in a few months. Would you mind a short term reduction in hours?

Her bills wont reduce though will they .

that should be fine. talk to her about it.

Would you possiblty want the old hours back at the end of your ML? You might need to pay a retainer to keep those hours open.

if not it will probably be however many weeks notice to reduce the hours and a contract review put into place.
the minder might want to renegotiate hours or days though to fit in a new child.

No they won't. So are you saying that this is an unreasonable request?

Yes, I'd want the old hours for both ds's when I go back - we've already discussed this and she's investigating bringing another cm on board as 3 of the mums have recently had babies and want to send them to her (her dh is also her assistant).
A reduction in 24 hrs a month would help me out enormously whilst on smp, but it's more important to me to keep him with her, it's true love!

It isn't unreasonable to ask, as the alternative is that you remove your son completely.

All you can do is talk to your childminder about the situation and see what you can agree between you.

They have bills to pay and so do you. So whilst on maternity leave you need to cut down a bit on your childcare bill. If your childminder isn't able to accommodate that then you will need to look for alternative care at the end of your maternity leave.

thanks for the advice, just would hate to cause unintentional offence, she's absolutely brilliant.

Useful thread for your childminder to read with regard to working with other childminders. Max is 3 PERSONS at any time providing the childcare... otherwise it then becomes a different registration type.

thanks nick, there would only be 3 of them, but will let her know.

ah, read it a bit more - complicated isn't it!

I reduced my daughters hours from 3 days a week (8-5) to 1 day a week (9-3) while I was on mat leave which was absolutely fine with our CM. She is much in demand and filled the places easily. I gave her loads of notice, and was happy for the 1 day to change from week to week to fit in with her plans.
I also made it clear from the outset that I hoped she would have the new baby too when I reutnred to work and with a bit of juggling by both of us, she has both of them 2 days a week.
I think if you are reasonable, open and flexible about it all, then most likely that is what you will get in return.
It's certainly not an unreasonable request.

I have reduced hours when the parent goes on mat leave, in the understanding that the hours will subsequently increase (didn't bother with a retainer) and it worked perfectly well

Talk to her, she won't be offended

I don't think it's an unreasonable request at all, but as people have said if she is doing school runs then a 9am start may be difficult for her, unless she goes to school and hubby is at home to take ur child.

She may not be bothered by the hours changing, as i know myself come evening i am dying to get everyone out and get a bit of peace, so she may be fine about it.

Alot of children leave altogether whilst mum is on mat leave so i dont think 2 hours a day is a massive deal. As long as you give plenty of notice of when u want this to change im sure everything will be fine.