Could I have some opinions from Childminders about this please?

[KateMush]

I use a lovely childminder for my 2 children for after school and holiday care, and have always been really happy with her service.

My youngest started school in September, and we drew up a new contract to include her. In the past I have used the childminder during some school holidays aswell and have paid her on an ad hoc basis for this i.e. she has not charged me if she not actually looked after my child that week. Since my youngest started I notice she is now charging me half fees during holidays for both of them even when she's not looking after them.

I've checked the contract I signed with her originally when she only looked after one of my children and it states 'this is a term time and holiday contract' whereas the new contract says 'this is a full time contract term time hours as above and holiday times'. I'm not sure what the difference is

The trouble is that I had not budgeted for holiday charges when she is not looking after my DC and I'm a bit confused as to why her charges seem to have changed since the beginning of this term. Would it be rude/cheeky to ask if we could go back to the previous arrangement of paying her for holidays on an ad hoc basis and having a term-time only contract? I don't want to spoil our relationship but as I said we haven't budgeted for this increase.

Thanks for any help.

your children are still takling a place up so she can still only take a limited no in holidays maybe thats why shes charging but not sure what the different contracts are

She has maybe just decided (like me) that she can't just keep places open on an ad hoc basis in the hols as its a big chunk of income she could loose if you decide to not use her.

I kept 4 places free for my term time kids and hardly earnt anything all hols do I've now (luckily) found a set holiday contract and the ad hoc ones are not guaranteed a place now but I don't charge them a retainer.

As the previous 2 posters have said and it is up to you to read and check the contracts before you sign them, but I think it is quite unprofessional that she hasn't discussed this with you first as it is a big change to your original contract.

Has her actual contract document changed? Morton Michel ones are different to NCMA, has she physically written it or is it pre-printed? Speak to her maybe she just hasn't crossed the correct one out.

this is so why a cm and parent need to sit down without the children present and go through the contract line by line so all know where they stand.

she should have pointed this out to you I think as its a change but then you should have read it before signing it anyway(thats if you have signed a new contract). its tough on you as you hadnt budgeted but I do understan why the cm has dont this, it is commen practise to charge per space whether used or not as its a space she cant fill incase you want it for your child.

Thanks for the responses - I have had a very amicable chat to her about it and we have sorted it out