Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

have found a minder but not sure on her terms

35 replies

gregssausageroll · 06/02/2011 14:20

Is this usual

She has 6 weeks holiday a year.

We pay £5.50 per hour but not for the 6 weeks a year she has off.

I just can't get my head around 6 weeks a year. I only get 20 days plus public as does my husband.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Numberfour · 06/02/2011 14:23

It is up to her how much holiday she takes. She is self employed.

Then it is up to you to decide whether you would want to engage her services on those terms or not.

Numberfour · 06/02/2011 14:24

hmmmm I sounded a bit aggro - did not mean to at all!!!!

I have heard of some CMs taking only a week a year. They cannot possibly have a decent break on that alone!

nannynick · 06/02/2011 14:26

How much notice do you get of when those holidays will take place? That's important to ask. As you may well get all the dates for the year, so can then plan alternative care.

NickNacks · 06/02/2011 14:29

Well your own holiday works out at 5.6 weeks a year (minimum amount for a full time employee) and I'm assuming she works longer hours than you to allow for commuting time.

Can you ask her if she has a back up CM? You and hubby have plenty to cover between you though.

I'm not sure why your about her holiday? Do you think she should only take the same as you?

(As above- I sound pissed but honestly not! Just the way this subject seems to come across whe written down!)

Tanith · 06/02/2011 14:40

Does it include public holidays?

Blondeshavemorefun · 06/02/2011 14:45

as you dont pay her for her time off (and some cm do charge) i dont see what the problem is

get the dates in advance and plan accordingly :)

minderjinx · 06/02/2011 15:00

Lots of families would be delighted if their childminder or nursery offered six weeks payment free, so long as they had plenty of notice to allow them to plan their own holidays to fit in with this. If it doesn't suit you, I'm sure you will find plenty who will work and charge more weeks per year.

Bertina · 06/02/2011 15:05

6 weeks including public holidays is 2 days more than the general average (minium?) of 28 days including public holidays - I think you need to clarify whether public holidays are included.

Not paying when CM is on holiday but paying you are, is standard I think. Other way of doing it is half fees when either of you is away.

Ask when she takes her holiday too.

Original poster

gregssausageroll · 06/02/2011 16:15

Good points raised. Thank you. I more questions to ask of her. 6 weeks I presumed were including PH and you are right we are only 2 less than that. Didn't calculate that properly.

Don't worry about comments made. You've made me think properly about it.

OP posts:

Original poster

gregssausageroll · 06/02/2011 16:16

My inital reaction was bloody hell, that's expensive. Where I am in Scotland CM usually charge £3-£3.50 per hour.

OP posts:

geraldinetheluckygoat · 06/02/2011 16:19

you're lucky to find one that doesn't charge for holidays. In my area now, most do now charge for their holidays, and parents pay when they are off too.

Laquitar · 06/02/2011 16:22

Of course OP has to compare it with her own hols. Because if there is gap (cm's hols longer than op's) then OP has to find alternative childcare for those days. Why are you all surprised with her op?

Original poster

gregssausageroll · 06/02/2011 16:32

We definitely couldn't afford her if she charged during holidays too.

His private nursery place is £35 per day. We'd be looking at a minimum of £49 per day if we went with this childminder.

I know to lots of you that is probably standard but please remember we are in North Scotland where it isn't as expensive as the South.

OP posts:

nannynick · 06/02/2011 16:42

Why would you change from Nursery then? Nursery I presume is open something like 52 weeks a year maybe more. You have a set fee per day.

When comparing costs of childcare providers, try to compare the annual cost. That way you focus on how much it will cost you in total, not the hourly rate. Can be hard though to know what is and isn't included in fees.

Original poster

gregssausageroll · 06/02/2011 16:45

I just have it in mind that I'd really like him to have his school nursery place when he's 3 in the Summer but looking at the pricing and holidays (nothing against them really but we'll be restricted to school holidays soon enough) I think he may well stay at private nursery.

So many things to work out and weigh up. Thanks though.

OP posts:

nannynick · 06/02/2011 16:50

When he goes to school nursery (pre-school), you will need to know if your childminder will still charge you during those hours. Using combination of childminder and pre-school could well work out, though it may cost more than just keeping him at the current nursery.

Lots of things to weigh up.

Original poster

gregssausageroll · 06/02/2011 16:51

Thanks for that. I'll add that question to the list. I "think" we get some sort of credit towards private nursery fees when he's 3 but that is another thing I need to check out.

OP posts:

chitchatingagain · 08/02/2011 10:55

Our CM doesn't charge for holidays, but she spreads out the payments so that we still pay her on her holidays, which I don't mind.

underpaidandoverworked · 08/02/2011 11:08

chitchat, I do that too - it means parents pay me less each week that I have their child but I still have an income when I take my hols (only 4 weeks a year ).

Cms really need their holidays, the days are long and often lonely!!! I have no mindees today btw, hence am on MN

When I am on holiday I have CM friends who provide holiday cover if parents need it, but most of the time out hols are at the same time - and I have 2 parents who are teachers.

VeggieReggie · 08/02/2011 11:11

If you and your DH have 4 weeks plus phs, you can cover the CM hols between you and still have 2 weeks off together. DH and I have usually covered the hols in relays.

Strix · 08/02/2011 11:50

I agree with Nick (and others) the the important thing here is how much notice you get because you will have to arrang alternative care. I would want at least 8 weeks notice.

I don't agree that you can rely on splitting the hols between you because that doesn't leave enough cushion for things like doctor appointments, sick days, and all the other circumstances which arise unexpectedly resulting in your DS not attending the CM.

HingCogNeeto · 08/02/2011 12:41

I have 6 weeks off but I issue my hol list in October for the following year, so often 12 months notice for the latter part of the following year

nightfall · 08/02/2011 12:50

Does your CM have children? As she may be talking school holiday time off? My old CM use to do this and it worked out ideal for me as I was on holiday as well.

aceandskill · 08/02/2011 14:33

£5.50 per hour is loads imo, it's loads for where I am in south west england, would have thought for scotland that is unbelievable!

pollywollyhadadollycalledmolly · 08/02/2011 21:15

Where abouts in Scotland are you? I charge £4 per hour and offer discounts for full weeks.

I take 6 weeks a year and issue my holidays for the following year in my xmas newsletter so give up to 12 months notice. It states in my contract that i will give at least 4 weeks notice, but i always like to give more. I take half fees for my holiday and full fees for parents holidays.

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread