Do you pay your CM when they are on holiday?

[Lucy1977]

Hi

I'm looking at a couple of child minders as well as some nurseries. One childminder says on her fee page that when she is on holiday I still need to pay full fees and when DD is on holiday I still need to pay full fees. The one I'm looking at tomorrow says I don't pay fees when she is on holiday but have to pay fees when DD is on holiday (fair enough).

What about your CM? Or the CM on here - what is your policy?

I don't mean to sound tight or anything, I'm trying to weigh up the pros/cons of each of them and the individual CM.

Thanks

Lucy

I don't know how Scottish Childcare work, I come under Ofsted's banner.

There is basic "childminder training", but it isn't rocket science. It includes child protection info etc. You get a certificate for it, so it is regarded as a "qualification". Childminders have the option of doing further training/qualifications (which can be as heavy-duty as you want, up to degree level), but that is our choice.

An Ofsted inspector told me that, technically, CMs do not have to have a first aid certificate but you have to prove to them, as part of the Ofsted standards, that you are a "suitable person" - not having a first aid certificate would probably deem you as not suitable. She didn't know of anyone who wanted to challenge it!

I think most CMs are probably parents themselves, which will be seen as experienced. I know lots of qualified nannies (with or without their own children) who have moved into childminding.

We should have references, but they don't need to be anything more than "I know this person, she has 2 children and eats frogs."