how would you word this nicely

[time4chat1]

Most of my children are Term time only which suits me however i have one parent that has a term time only who asks for regular holiday cover which up until now i have covered so in effect she is getting all year round cover but not paying for any of my or her holidays, which is fine as that was my doing( i charge full pay when they are on holiday and half pay when I'm on holiday for a all year round contract) I've got to the stage now where i no longer wish to do the holiday cover but i don't want to offend her as they are a lovely family.. How can i word it to her nicely please??

Something along the lines of giving everyone notice well in advance of the summer holidays that you intend to take X to Y off and unfortunately won't be able to provide care between those dates as you have decided to be a solely term time provider?

But that's my problem I'm not term time only i have one child who has been with me over 5 years that is all year round ( im happy to have her all year as she is the same kind of age as my daughter they are more like sisters as neither have other siblings of the same age we have a huge age gap) so if i say im only doing term time only she would know i was lying and i dont want to lie

My adhoc people know that I may or may not be able to take their children during the holidays. They email and ask if xyz dates are available and I say yes or no. How do the parents request the days? Just say no to the ones you're not available for.

I would just say something like " I would like to alert parents with term time only contracts that my availability for ad hoc childcare (for example extra days during school holidays) will be much more limited in future and I may not be able to meet all such requests." Then leave them to request if they want, but only accept those that suit you.

I would be honest with her and explain say that as she is requesting regular cover during the holidays you need to move her onto an all year round contract and as such any holidays she takes will be charged at X rate whilst your holidays will be charged at Y and you hope she understands.

Agree with wheresthelight! Just be as honest as you can - explain in a newsletter or email sent out to all parents stating that unfortunately due to family commitments etc. you will no longer be available for adhoc childcare cover. Perhaps if you have a back up childminder or know of any other minders that are able to offer holiday care you could recommend them to the parents?

Sorry, I didn't quite understand. where's suggestion sounds good

Is it the fact that as term time only but uses you for holiday/full time but she isn't paying you for holiday ?

Or you don't want to do any holidays apart from other girl your daughter gets on with

Would just have a word and explain that financially you need to fill that place 52 weeks a year and would she like the option of doing that? Otherwise you will be filling the weeks she doesn't need with a 'holiday only' child and will no longer therefore have the space for ad hoc hours?

Blondes it is the fact that as the child is 20 months old we cant do the things that My daughter, other mindee and i like doing we cant walk the dogs. go to the cinema go swimming so on.. They are a lovely family and i really dont want to loose them.. I haven't said anything yet as i just feel ive put myself in a bit of a sticky situation

When she asks for holiday cover, just say when you're happy to take dc. If they're asking, then they know they only have a guaranteed space in term time.

I'd be tempted to ease her in gently rather than saying no more holiday cover. When she asks about May half-term say you can only do Mon and Tues or something. Then when she asks about the summer holidays, offer her a few limited days. Then nothing in October. I'll do anything to avoid a difficult conversation though so I may not be the best person to give advice.

Outraged - that's what I'd do too. I'd offer as many days as I thought I could cope with.

oh, so much younger, then maybe say to the mum that you are only doing school aged children in the holidays

Actually if I was the Mum I'd rather you just told me straight - maybe now say that you'll have the child for summer half term but not the summer holidays. Then I've got the whole of the summer term to sort something else out. Other way seems a bit cowardly TBH.

Thank you all for your advice I'm still not sure what i shall do at the moment. The little one does also go to nursery 1 day a week ( i did offer to have her on this day as i do have that one space available but they said whilst they were happy with my service they would also like the flexibility of the nursery, however they use me for extra days not the nursery, i suppose its because they can and I'm cheaper so i don't blame them but i guess it does stick with me a little .

Having used various forms of childcare and always having needed school holiday cover I would appreciate honesty. Then I could make arrangements that suit me. Don't let her think you might be able to provide ad hoc cover when you know you won't be able to. I also don't necessarily think they use you over the nursery because of cost, I always preferred childminders over nursery because I felt it was a better setting. I have used both concurrently in the past.

I would just let her know that going forward those with term time only contracts will be just that, and she will need to use the nursery for adhoc days that they need.

At least you know they have another option available - like you say you are probably cheaper and more flexible but you don't have to do it if you aren't contracted.