Christmas....what hours are you all taking off????

[kpnuts2006]

Hi there, I was just wondering what days that you are all working over christmas. Im new and was just wondering how it works. I know that it is my own business and up to me but just would like some of you feedback. The only reason i am asking is that I currently mind 2 after schoolers and really wanted to take a week off at christmas (without pay) but have been made to feel really bad off the parent as she is working on the wednesday and thursday in between christmas and new year and cannot get any other childcare. Also, with regards to pay if you are working, as I have not yet had the two children when they are not at school, I have not had time to decide the rate of pay. She would like me to have them 8 in the morning until 6.30 at night and provide all meals (obviously). My current rate of pay is £3 an hour but what would you all charge for 10 hours a day for 2 children???? Im just really confused and just need to know what is a fair price to ask. Thanks

Some childminders still set the hourly rate, regardless of how many hours i.e £3.00 for 1 hour or £30.00 (10 x £3.00) for 10 hours. t's up to you how much you want to charge. Many however charge set rates for set hours, if that makes sense.Some also charge extra for meals, so you need to consider this.
In respect of the holidays, my last mindee finishes for Christmas on the evening of the 22nd, at 6pm, and comes back on the 3rd January. the others come back on the 9th when the school goes back.

Firstly Im taking the week off after Christmas and before new year.
Your contract should already state whether you get paid for hols or not? I personally do half fee's for my hols and take up to 4wks per year off.
If you were to mind the children that week I would charge them £4 an hr each child as it is inconvient for you and I would class it as unsocialable hrs. But Dont work it if you dont want to. Its not your problem if she cant get anyone to have them. If you give in to that what will she be like when you want to take you summer holiday - will she blackmail you then into saying she has noone else to have them??

thanks for your replies. She does only want to pay £15 per child per day as this is what she used to pay with her old childminder. Im sorry but i think that that is way too cheap as i will be working for 10 hours a day. (the food alone will probably cost that much) and when i want to spend time with my family i may add....

She's not with her old childminder though is she, she's with you. I assume you have the contract drawn up and signed? If she has signed that she will pay you £3.00 an hour then that's what she should pay - for the whole ten hours,every day

i have tried being reasonable with her and suggested £2.50 per hour per child. I know that it is alot to pay per day but it is also a very long day

Plsss dont give in to her - u have already been over reasonable. She must be having a laugh at £15 a day - Why is she no longer with her old CM if she was so cheap??

cwbran's right, and i'm sure other Cm's will agree with me.
Don't back down over this or she will expect you to give in to her demands all the time. Charge her the full £3.00 per hour.

i also charge £3 per hour
in the hols i have school aged children for a day for £20, but under 5's stays at £3 per hr

i have 22 days off per year and get paid half fees

days off will rise to 23 next yr as i will have been in business for 5yrs

this year i finish work on fri 22nd at 6pm and i normally return back on 2nd jan but this year only 2 children need me so i have decided to have an extra week off with my ds's and go back to work on 8th jan when they go back to school half fees of course

dh said tell her to f**k off there are plenty more people waiting for places

dont let her demand and tell you how much she is paying you its your buisness

If your hourly rate is £3/hour, then that is what you should stick to. I think it's difficult when you are just starting out because you don't want to lose business, but you mustn't allow that to cloud the issue. It doesn't matter what the old childminder charged.

I also don't do a discount for siblings. If you want to, then do so - but don't be bullied into it. If you agree to the mum's demands, you will end up feeling resentful later on.

You should only provide meals if that is what you want to do. I don't provide meals (unless they forget to bring them!!)

I take two weeks off at Christmas (unpaid)- I do feel guilty because I know it can cause problems for working parents. In your situation, if you want time off between Christmas and New Year, then you must do so. Childminders need time with their families and to recharge batteries.

sorry havent had time to read all..but if your normal rate is £3 then i(just a suggestion) would sill charge that @ 10 hours = £30..£15 my arse, silly woman..its your business do what YOU want, dont sacrifice your family time for someone elses..i have taken christmas week off at half pay, one mindee is off all the week after at 1/2 pay and other mindee still has to let me know but mum is off so wont be full week.
get her a set of terms and conditions out as well as a price list and id also charge extra for meal(£1 brekky, £1.50 lunch if not already getting it at full time) and £1.75 dinner)
start as you mean to go on, she sounds manipulitive!..good luck

oh and i only started last month, but ive already found you have to be firm and dont flinch cos theyll see your weakness

i am only having off christmas day and boxing day, new years day! All other times i have been asked to work! I charge the same hourly rate for every child whether under 5 over 5 or holidays only! Where are you KPNuts2006? Perhaps someone on here is near you and can buddy up with you and help you through your first year??

One mum was shocked when I told her my daily rate was £32 excluding meals. She told me she knew someone who charged £22 so I told her I thought she ought to book up with the other lady as there was no way I could come down to that.

She booked me.

I'm closing from xmas eve to new years day at half fees.

Thank you for all your replies, youve been great. I have stuck to my guns regarding time off over christmas and she has decided that she will sort something out for the children. That is only because I said that if you need me to work then it will be £50 per day (2.50 x 10 x 2 children) And she said that she could not afford this. But this leaves me the problem about what she is going to say when i say that that is the price for all the school holidays. I mean i could be really mean and say that it is £3 an hour. I have a settling-in period up until the 1st January. Im going to write a letter confirming school holidays and if she doesnt agree then she will have to take her business elsewhere as that will include all meals. Have to see how she takes it..... Thank you all, its nice to know that people are on your side, it makes me feel alot more assertive and confident about making decisions. Hope you all have a lovely christmas, and put your feet up. Gosh we all deserve it. lol xxxxxxx

sorry btw shinystar, I live in Bolton, Lancashire. I have today spoke to the Network Support Childminder and she is linking me up with a Support Childminder. She was also a great help.