Nanny wants to take extra leave in term time but already used allowance for year

[JugglingChaotically]

I was very clear with our current nanny that holidays in term time are to be exceptional circs only.
Also that they are vital to our life as our only help.
We pay v well for full time nanny to ensure cover in hols and after school. Also clear that if one of us travels then overtime required. and expect
We have 3 DCs all at school, no family here and GPs too old to help. We both work full time. DH travels periodically and I have a long commute.
Despite this, current nanny asked for a week to go on large holiday with friends last term - we were moving house, date on final but was def around the time she wanted, ended up moving while she was away. Nightmare but we got there.
She has no annual leave left even for Christmas. I did point this out but she said she didn't need more and would just take stat hols at Christmas.
A few weeks ago she asked if we were going away for October half term - I said no!
Now she has asked to leave early one day in a couple of weeks - she said she would ask another mother to have DD. DH will be away and the commute is such I would have to take a days leave - but I don't have any left except that saved for carol sevices, nativity play and Christmas.
At the same time she has asked for an early finish and the next day off so she can go away for the weekend.
Again offering to get another mother to cover for her.
She has asked to take from next years leave but will take unpaid if required.
I am shocked.
Nanny's swap and cover for each other but she hadn't networked with nannies.
How to pay back mothers. It's not a reasonable ask.
I just can't take leave as it will mean missing time at Christmas - and I can only take 3 days between stat hols anyway.
Never had a nanny who doesn't get their key role and problem with term time hols.
How to reply.
I can't recruit right now if she quits if I say no.

my apologies fish you are completely correct.

I didn't think you got extra holiday for working more hours? Have you got a link to the legislation?

OP, I'm not sure of the current situation, but I think contracts for most 'professional' jobs waive the working time directive so your situation may not be in line with general legislation,

Oops - didn't see next page. Thanks fish.

You say you pay v well for the hours. What do you pay?

How flexible /overtime does she do ie how often do you /dh go away at same time/work late?

Why can't you recruit till feb?

But regardless of the above if she keeps wanting time off during term time you need to sit down and say if she can't stick to terms of contract then the job will come to an end

No contracted overtime.
Email sent.
Fingers crossed. I do hope she reacts ok as she is generally lovely hence we juggling to accord are earlier hol.

Oops. Accommodate.

Wow, I'd be pretty peeved if our nanny did this (and I don't think she would dream of doing so). I think she's taking the piss tbh. And I don't agree that "no harm in asking" - as you say, it just puts the guilt onto you.

So many reasons that you are perfectly entitled to say no:

• she's used up her holiday allowance
• using next year's is not a right
• nor is unpaid leave
• contract says no leave at term time
• you've already accommodated her once as a one off.

Your no holiday in term time stipulation is a bit unusual (but hardly unheard of), but other than that, what she's asking for (ie extra unpaid leave/using next year's allowance) wouldn't be entertained by most nanny employers so if she resigns over this I think she's got an unrealistic idea of what nannying entails. In fact it wouldn't be allowed by most employers of any sort!

Best of luck. Hopefully she knows she's being cheeky and will take it on the chin.

All ok.
Tks for your support.

Iv had a no holiday in term time contract.
Very happy with this as have my own child (teenager;doesn't come with me) so prefer holiday in school hols too.
Most contracts iv had stimulate leave is not carried forward. So taken it the year before would be odd too.
I wouldn't worry OP. Think you are being too thoughtful :)
You are the employer just say no.