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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

Nanny and Xmas time...

30 replies

BonaDea · 02/08/2014 22:42

I know it's 5 months away but we're trying to figure out our own annual leave and family visiting schedule.

This is the first year we'll have had our nanny. She is fantastic and we want to do what is 'the done thing' and be very fair but obviously don't have unlimited time off or money!

Are most nannies expecting to be given time off for Xmas without having to use up their own annual leave days? We normally take the bank holidays only and so work between Xmas and new year. Would that be frowned upon if we expect her to work (or of course use her own holidays)?

If you are meant to give time off, how much? And is this on top of a financial bonus?

OP posts:

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OutragedFromLeeds · 02/08/2014 22:51

Most families do take the days between Christmas and new year and so most nannies do get these days off, but that does normally come out of holiday allowance (although lots of nannies also get extra holiday).

I think it depends a lot on your nanny. Does she have children? Is she likely to be away over Christmas i.e will she be visiting her home country? If so, then I would take some of the days as your holiday and let her take the other half from her holiday. If working will be no problem for her then it's fine to ask her to take it out of her holiday.

FabulousFairy · 02/08/2014 23:21

As a nanny I have always taken Christmas and new year off as my holiday choice. That way I get two weeks to fly away. Perhaps I have been unlucky but have never been given extra holiday then for reasons that you state. Work and finances of employers.
Other jobs don't give extra days off, willy nilly. So don't feel bad. 20 days plus 8 bank holidays is the norm for most employment be it in the world of banking or in a factory, so don't feel bad.
This is my experience and opinion.
You must do what you feel is right for you and your nanny. However, I am sure she will not be expecting extra time off. If you take more than your half of her holiday, you can ask her to do nursery tasks in the house or give her extra paid holiday. This should all be in your contract with her though. Good luck.

Callaird · 03/08/2014 00:55

You don't have to give her that time off. If you need to work then you can ask her to come in. Or if you can get time off or cover you can take it out of your annual leave or discuss taking half and half.

Technically employers can ask you to work any day they choose, including bank holidays if the contract states 5.6 weeks as long as they have their 28 days a year.

Which is why I have 5 weeks plus all bank holidays in my contract to cover Christmas because when I was younger and naive I hated working between Christmas and new year when my employers were off and chilling out! So I have in my contract, a week at Christmas, two weeks of my choice, two weeks employers choice and all bank holidays. Also if there is an extra bank holiday in the year (jubilee/Kate & Will's wedding) employers don't have to give it.

Ericaequites · 03/08/2014 04:00

Who gets Christmas to New Years off? I close at noon on the 24th, then open at the usual time the 26th.

Iggly · 03/08/2014 06:24

We give ours the time off and it comes out of leave except the actual bank holidays.

I wouldn't dream of making ours work then - it usually is only a handful of days. But I take it off too.

We were upfront about any times of the year when nanny couldn't take leave, because my job didn't allow it. You should tell her now or should have done at the start because it isn't fair IMO.

I'm guessing you have a 50:50 split in terms of when she can take holiday and when she has to?

Blondeshavemorefun · 03/08/2014 07:14

Have always had Christmas to new year off and paid and as Callaird said as holiday stated in Contract

If employers had to work ie doctors etc then I would work - what is annoying is having to work when employers are home - do they not want to play with their kids and Xmas toys?

eurycantha · 03/08/2014 08:53

When I have an interview and are discussing holidays I always say that I am happy to have holiday when family have holiday but do like the week off at Christmas.Sometimes employers do have to go into work and I have worked occasional days over Christmas.My family live close to me so I do not have far to travel but a lot of nannies are away from their families and would obviously like the week off to include travel.Nannies are different and all you can do is chat with your nanny.
You mentioned a bonus some nannies get them but a bonus is not something you should feel you have to give.

Blondeshavemorefun · 03/08/2014 10:09

I missed the bonus bit

I have always had a week wages and then pressie from kids

Some nannies get a bonus. Others don't. Those who get a bonus often is a weeks wages tho one nanny put on here on another thread she got a months salary as a bonus

'Blondes faints'

If you can afford one then give it - even if £50

NannyLA · 03/08/2014 10:55

In 20 years of nannying , I have only worked once between Xmas and New Year as employers were working themselves. Most of my families have wanted family time for themselves, spending time with kids etc..without a nanny being there. Some jobs have given it as time off and others I have taken as annual leave.. Maybe you should ask her if she has plans for Xmas.. Some people may want to work those days and save leave for another time..

In terms of Bonus, it is up to you and how much you can afford and whether you think she has earned it! It is nice as a nanny , for hard work and dedication ( as most of us go over and above to help the family run smoothly ) to be recognised .. Be it a bonus, gift or a Thank you !

nannynoss · 03/08/2014 11:50

I have worked over Christmas for parents who were doctors. No issue with it at all. Other families have written into contract that I have x amount of days annual leave and x amount of days must be taken during the Christmas week. Time off at Christmas has always been part of my annual leave though, whether the parents chose it or me.
I have never had a Christmas bonus, just a lovely present. My bonus normally comes on the anniversary of when I started but I never expect one.

Cindy34 · 03/08/2014 13:12

If you need to work between xmas and new year, then giving nanny the option of taking annual leave won't work. If one of you does not have to work that time, then nanny could take the time off but it should come out of annual leave.

Good idea to talk about it now so your nanny can make plans. They may well think that everyone gets xmas to new year off, though in reality that is not the case. So discuss it, look at what holiday is left to take this holiday year. They may not want much time off, or they may be going abroad to visit relatives and so will want time off.

OutragedFromLeeds · 03/08/2014 13:21

If there is no option of leave over Christmas i.e. you both HAVE to work, then you should have explained this at interview.

Karoleann · 03/08/2014 15:09

I think you just need to let her know now that you need her between christmas and new year (but not the bank holidays).

This period has always come out of my nannies annual leave (either through my choice or hers).
I've always given a week salary as bonus, but plenty of people don't and I doubt she would be expecting that.

Callaird · 03/08/2014 17:34

Blondes - I got a months wages from E's parents Christmas 2012! Plus 6 nice presents from E! K had to count it for me as I was shaking so much from the shock!

First time for me although I have had a few £500 Christmas bonus's which is more than a weeks wage. Always very nice. However, it is always a shock to get anything like that. I never expect anything more than a card and a well thought out present from the children.

Echocave · 13/08/2014 20:56

I don't like your comment about 'don't they want to play with their kids/toys' Blondes. Don't judge parents (more than you have to) - without them, you wouldn't have a job.

alwaysdoinglaundry · 13/08/2014 21:19

I got a months wages from E's parents Christmas 2012

Blimey! my nanny gets over half my take home pay as it is, I hope that doesn't become the done thing....

Bettercallsaul1 · 13/08/2014 21:55

Echocave - And without nannies, parents wouldn't have bespoke, home-based childcare, which is also often the cheapest option for larger families. Parents and nannies are mutually dependent and neither owes the other blind deference. Blondes has a perfect right to voice her negative opinion of some parents' behaviour, just as many parents write in to complain about some aspects of their nannies'. Neither side is above criticism.

Blondeshavemorefun · 13/08/2014 23:08

why on earth at christmas time, which i think and sure many others would agree is meant to be spent with friends/family, do some employers make their nanny come in between xmas/new year and work/play with children if they are off work

these are the parents i dont understand

i have known friends go in on 27th dec and do normal hours ie 7-7 when both parents are there = this is what i mean in dont they want to play with their kids/pressies

some employers like to get every pennys worth out of their nanny

yes without employers we wouldnt have a job, but as better said without us nannies, parents wouldnt be able to go to work and earn their salary

Echocave · 14/08/2014 14:19

Well there are nurseries and child minders of course. I think good nannies are worth it and of course blondes can voice her opinion but I think the way it was phrased was very judgemental.

Why on earth shouldn't some people ask their nannies to work at Xmas (not that I ever have)? Perhaps they are hosting loads of relatives at new year and need some time to organise things. Perhaps they just want some extra support.

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 14/08/2014 14:29

Each year is different for me, my bosses are doctors so depending on clinics, ward rounds and on call rotas I can have the whole time off, work the week in between or half and half.

they never make me use AL though if i am lucky enough to be off which im very grateful for.

Nobloomingideapgornot · 14/08/2014 14:45

I've never once in my 20 yrs as a nanny had to work between Xmas and new year and I've never had to take it as annual leave.
I'm very lucky I guess but if it was required I would want to know ASAP for planning as I have my own family to organise.

I imagine my last day before Xmas will be having some fun, maybe visiting Father Christmas, having a drink with Mb/DB as we get on like a house in fire..just settling in.I have had some fab presses over the years, too many to mention but it's the please/thank you and the appreciation that's shown on an everyday level that means the most.

This year I'm due to finish on the 23rd Dec, go back on the 5th January. I know it's a lot of time off, so I will offer a couple of free babysits instead. It's give and take.
If it wasn't for me being honest my boss wouldn't know how much holiday I have left lol!
I've two weeks off from 16th August, a week off in October half term, Christmas off and also had a week at the start of April.

Good luck!

daftbesom · 20/08/2014 21:38

A workmate of mine went into the office on Christmas Day (a holiday for all of us) in the afternoon because he was "bored" at home. Bet his wife and 2 DCs felt good about that ...

alwaysdoinglaundry · 20/08/2014 22:10

Depends who you work for. We are both doctors so it is assumed that the working days between Xmas and New Year the nanny needs to work, unless she chooses to take it as leave.

PowerPants · 21/08/2014 02:02

The only days we can take off is Christmas Day and New Year's Day ( we own our own business). I make it clear at interview I will be asking the nanny to come in between Christmas and New Year BUT I pay double time for any bank holiday work and also make sure it's a short day so not a 7-7 shift.

I find it splits 50/50 between nannies aghast at the thought of working that week and the rest who see it as entirely normal as long as they get New Year's and Christmas Day off.

Blondeshavemorefun · 21/08/2014 05:38

Not a problem to work if parents have to work

But if parents At home - why get their nanny in and make them do normal hours of 7-7 and they arrive to find all asleep and they sit quietly on sofa for an hour thinking ffs why am I here and not snuggles up to dh in my bed

They are the employers I don't understand

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