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Paid childcare

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

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Original poster

I have to admit I am a little miffed.

11 replies

Flossam · 30/08/2006 22:04

Our childminder went on her well deserved two week holiday 2 and a half weeks ago. Fully paid, no qualms about it. however, I text her to tell her we didn't need her on BH Monday as obv she prefers not to work them, and although as a nurse working Mondays it was only the first one she worked as since we have tried to work it that she dosen't. Anyhow, no word back from her. She would usually be looking after DS today and last night still had not heard from her. So first thing this morning I called and she is actually having 3 weeks off - we were never informed of this. On interview she told us she took two weeks. There is no mention in our book. As it is it works out ok as DP is on his days off but I find it slightly worrying that she could overlook to tell us about this. Any thoughts? DP thinks I am making a big deal out of not alot but we have both had to take a week off each seperately to cover hols (fine) but if I had had to take time off work (especially when contract up for renewal so soon) it would have been a big problem.

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Original poster

Flossam · 30/08/2006 22:12

To clarify I don't mind her having mre than two weeks hols - I do so why shouldn't she? Just that 3 weeks at one time is a long time and to not be made clear is where I have the issue.

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dmo · 30/08/2006 22:13

i would be cross damm right
it sounds like she just decided bank hol mon, cant be botherd to work this week i will have another week off
i alway print a hoilday sheet off for parents indicating the days off i'm having that year so parents can work around the dates

Original poster

Flossam · 30/08/2006 22:17

I had to write in book twice to get dates of her hols and then ask to find out. I had to get the time off work as a special favour as it was so late in the day - left the ward short - as did DP. We are both lucky we have such good bosses.

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Carmenere · 30/08/2006 22:22

I would go through her for a short cut tbh. You employ her as a childminder, she is dutybound to give you proper notice for holidays.
was she upset that you were under the impression that she was coming back this week?

makemineadouble · 30/08/2006 22:23

I am cm of 15 yrs I can only tell you my policy if its any help....
personnally I charge full pay for bh even though I am closed.all hols for following year are given to parents on paper when I close for x-mas, mainly so they can book theirs with mine and save money, I dont charge when i'm on hol(6 weeks a year plus bank hols) But do charge if child away when i'm open.Also I invoice month in advance so any confussion would be spotted then...

Original poster

Flossam · 30/08/2006 22:26

I woke her up so she was sleepy. But as always lovely. Said she could have DS is we really needed. I think the issue I have is the oversight in not telling us.

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Original poster

Flossam · 30/08/2006 22:26

Not being able to contact her was also worrying really - had something happened etc.

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dmo · 30/08/2006 22:29

cant believe she gave u short notice to have three weeks off
as ive said i also print my hols off and give them to parents at least a year in advance as most of my parents book the same weeks as me off
i charge half fees for my hols and full fees when children are off but i'm working
would have words next week and ask for proper writtern notice of her hols as there seems to be a mix up in dates

lexiemum · 30/08/2006 22:50

I'd be angry too at the extra week without notice.

Actually cam eback from dropping the dcs this am fuming because cm has decided on taking an extra week in october therefore having already worked out our annual leave around what she said she would have I now have to find care for another week and free - the solution will be emergency compassionate leave when the time comes as have run out of a/l and not cutting my xmas hols down to the bank holidays to make up the shortfall!

makemineadouble · 30/08/2006 22:57

lexi do you not agree all hols well in advance? at least how many weeks yor cm will be closed so you can cover them,are there other children with your cm did those parents know?

looneytune · 30/08/2006 23:20

I'd be fuming too. I'm a cm and I have in my contracts that I take 4 weeks unpaid holiday a year and give at least 4 weeks written notice (although I give longer). For my first year of childminding I took just one day holiday so parents were not at all inconvienced but I've just taken my first 2 weeks off (I'm off at the moment ) and they had plenty of notice plus it was very clear in my letter (but I verbally asked them if the dates suited first anyway).

I will think about maybe planning ahead more in future so they know at the beginning of the year what holiday I am going to take, but tbh so far, I've just not been in a situation to know a year in advance. Luckily all my parents are very happy so far.

Do you have NCMA contracts? If so, the print on the back should state clearly how much notice both cm and parents have to give for holidays!

BTW Carmenere, just wanted to politely point out that childminders are not 'employed' by parents, we are self-employed and provide a 'service' to parents. I still agree that this cm is out of order though!

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