Holiday - What can I do?

[jellyjelly]

I had Friday off through illness, i called the parent and explained about this and that i wouldnt be working. She asked about my emergency care (she is on Maternity for emergencies not really sickness), i know she is coming back to work shortly and will probably fill her number quickly.

Any ideas on what i can provide if i am ill for the parents. All my childminding friends are full and the family has no family or friends that they can rely on.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

I had same problem on Mon/Tues as everyone round here is full (or those who are friends anyway)

Will watch this thread will interest!

I have got dh and dds as back-up for emergencies, which would involve dh returning home from work - he would only do this if it really was a dire emergency, not to look after someone else's child for the whole day. One of my minding parents is also available for the "dire emergency" scenario (would come to me if I had child to take to hospital etc.)

My minding parents have occasionally organised shared care between them, but it has always been arranged in advance (for my dd's graduation, for major dental work for me etc.) They have vaguely discussed doing this if I was off sick as well!

I don't think any of my parents would place their children with another childminder unless they had met them themselves (even though they are friends of mine!) unless, again, it was a last-minute emergency. Like you, most of my minding friends are full anyway.

I've rarely had time off for sickness and, if I have, they've taken the time off themselves, and it hasn't been a problem for them. Sorry, I'm not being very useful!

Ok anyone else? They have said because i have taken 5 days in october and now i need a day off for dental in 3 weeks and my five days for christmas that they havent got any holiday left. I can reduce my christmas to 3 days but not more than that.

I asked if they could take parental leave and they want to keep that for next year.

How many of you have holiday cover for other parents? or do you only have emergency cover?.

And any ideas on what i could do?

I know that you said your childminding friends don't have vacancies, but how about you or the mum getting the list from CIS and finding someone you don't know? There are probably lots of lovely childminders out there who would act as emergency back-up for this family!

I speak to the parents about this when they 1st come to meet me. I have my mum as my assistant (back up), but she is not available all the time.
Most of the parents only like their child to go to someone they know, so that limits the other childminders, as they don't know all of them in my area. Also i ask if they have grandparents near for times like this, as they don't want to do it every week but the odd time is ok.

I am stuck now because i need a day of for some dental work and they parent cant get time off and i cant get dh to look after them.

Whilst I fully appreciate that this causes a problem for the family and that you want to be able to help, it isn't really your responsibility to sort out their childcare (and I'm not trying to be unsympathetic to the family).

You have given them lots of notice, and done all you can to try and solve this. Although my dh is registered as my assistant, I certainly wouldn't expect him to book a day off to care for someone else's child. There is no reason why they couldn't visit other childminders and ask about back-up care.

I know you are doing a guilt trip about it, but you're not exactly just taking a day off for anything trivial. Are they expecting you to arrange their childcare, or even suggesting that you cancel your appointment?

When you pick your childcare you as a parent must deal with this issue, ie shorter less flexible nusery hours vs risk of childminder sickness/holidays not suitng, you have done your best that is all they can expect. HTH. Also they are entitled to upaid leave from employer if their childcare breaks down.

i think they were expecting me to have the hour off for the fillings then go back to work straight after, well this is what they told me that they were expecting. It still creats a problem if i am ill and then they will be stuck.

In the last couple of years, I've had two days off on separate occasions to have wisdom teeth extracted. I've had to return later to have stitches out. The families I mind for have been sympathetic to my plight (tooth extraction - eek!), and don't make me go on a guilt trip about having to take time off.

The parents were "expecting" you to have an hour off, and you have said you want the day. You shouldn't have to justify why you need time off. You have given them lots of notice, and it is unfair of them to make you feel as though it is "your" problem.

Thankyou all, i hope that if i ever need a minder i willbe a sensible parent if they need time off.

I have to be more assertive, i WILL be more assertive.