CM Club - Time Off for Moving House

[looneytune]

For those who have moved house whilst childminding:

1. How much time off did you take?
2. Did you have any problems with parents for taking the time off? i.e. not being able to give EXACT dates for time off required 4 weeks in advance
3. If you didn't take any time off apart from the actual move date, how stressful was it all?

Any advice at all?

Thanks

bump. looks like we may have a move date now!

I know someone on here moved a few weeks ago!!

I didn't! The mindee came at 8.00am as usual and came with us to the new house! He was only 2 and he thought it great fun. My parents and sister were around and helped too.

We thought it would make it easier for him when he came the next day, and it did, he didn't bat an eyelid!

Cheers Alibubbles. If I just had my older mindee who's the same age as ds (3½), I wouldn't mind not having time off but I also look after a 12 month and 13 month old every day (not same days though) and I'm worried about health and safety issues as they are just getting into everything at the moment, not walking but everything else. No stair gates would be in place, cupboard locks etc and I personally don't think it's safe to have them around the chaos. Maybe I just worry too much??? Always worry about mindees more than my own ds!

Anyone else who DID take time off for their move? If so, how were the parents about it and how much time did you take?

Thanks

Our cm only took one day off to move house, only 1 weeks notice. This wasn't really a problem, but I was a bit annoyed as I didn't even know she was planning on moving that soon (she kept putting the house on the market, then taking it off again). What I would have appreciated was some conversation saying my offer's been accepted, probable moving date in November, then as the date got closer more accurate dates given. I could then have given similar dates to my office. If the cm had needed more time, it could have been a real problem trying to get the time off on very short notice, but again if I could have warned my work in advance I would need a week off it would have been less of an issue

Thanks for that. They've all known for over a month that we're moving and are all fine about it. Yesterday I told them that we're aiming for a move date of 27th October which is just over 4 weeks notice BUT I can't guarantee this date until nearer the time which worries me.

I've now got the 2 babies parents saying it's fine for time off so just need to confirm how much time and when. It's the older mindee I'm worried about as it seems mum has taken all her annual leave for this year, even though I've only taken 2 weeks so far. I don't want to have time of with the others and not with this mindee as otherwise I'm still working but have used part of my leave allowance - does that make sense?

It's great to hear the pov of another parent so thanks for that

Well if the other mum has used up all her annual leave she is a bit stupid. When I plan my holidays I always keep some back for when the cm is sick then use them up at the end of the year if there are any left (easter for me) or christmas shopping for others.
Also the other mum should be able to take a few days off (unpaid) for 'emergency childcare', I know I can at my office and I think it is a legal entitlement (but don't quote me)

Thanks, I know it's silly for her to use up all her leave but I'm not sure if maybe family or someone else is around to help if needed - just a feeling I get from the mum that maybe me having time off could be a problem, but it's not actually been said outright.

Anyway, the babies parents have been fine so I'm all sorted there, they totally understood and reminded me I still had 2 weeks to use if I want

Going to speak to the mum tomorrow about having the day of the move and one more day off. At least this mindee is older so there are not the same safety issues.

Thanks for your help

just a thought - if the reluctant mum is not wanting to take leave then can you not recommend another local cm that could take him for those couple of days - she'll soon take the time off if she knows she gonna have to pay twice.

or she may jsut be thinking to keep quiet and then phone in sick when she needs to be at home for your move - nearly considered this one myself but thankfully I get two weeks paid parental leave.

Thanks, I will put that to her actually although in the past she's said she'd rather not (mindee used to cry every day with old childminder and has had problems settling until she came to me - not sure why she never cried with me??? but suppose that's a nice thing for me ).

She wouldn't actually have to pay twice as I'm not paid for holidays.

Hopefully can sort it all out tomorrow as I want to know that side of things are covered so I can get back to the normal stress of packing etc!!

I know you're not paid for holidays but from a mums perspective she pays you a set amount for the month (am working on a 48wk paid over 12mth pattern) thats part of her budget and then has to pay another cm to cover your holiday - its an additional expense and one that may not be afforded. I know I'd rather take sick leave if annual leave leave or paid parental was not available.

I see what you're saying so yeah, she may decide to do that. I did at first feel bad about the fact that she may have to pay someone else but then I thought well, she's taken holiday throughout the year knowing I'm entitled to the time off so really, she should account for this as surely she shouldn't expect me not to use all my holiday because of her budget and using lots of time off?

Anyway, I've had a big work out for how things are this year (see my other thread) and she'll be ok anyway as I will refund her for any days off I have (used up all but half day for this year)

Absolutely looneytune. It is not your problem. My CM is having the last week in October and we have plenty of leave to cover it between DH and me, plus a bit left. What happens if the mindee is ill? The mother would have to take time off then. I always save a few days and then use them for Christmas shopping etc. And also book the time between Christmas and New Year knowing that I can cancel if the children are very poorly that year.

Thanks