Am I being unreasonable re holiday ?

[eachbeach]

We've previously had a nanny, but now looking for a new one. Have three children, a child in school, one who will start school in September and a baby.

Previously we've let our nanny choose two weeks of the holiday. I'm still fine to do this, but my concern is, is it normal to stipulate that the holidays must be in school holiday times ? I get that this may put people off as it's more expensive, but if not, we'll end up taking nearly 50% of our allocation to just be at home and not really spend time with the older kids as they'll be in school.

What's the norm when kids are in school ? Kids are in private school so there is a bit more flex around the edges to take time off in less peak time.

Anyone ?

Completely normal.

Yes, normal for jobs involving school aged children or working for teachers. Some nannies won't like it, so make it clear on the advert and again at interview.

It’s fine for you to say this. May put off many nannies

As a nanny I wouidnt want to go away in school hols as 1) costly 2) Many children there When I want child free holidays

It would put me off accepting the job if you mentioned it at interview however you are within your rights to put it in the contract. I don't have children of my own and like to take my choice of holiday outside of school holiday times, it costs less and is less busy.

Surely you could find holiday cover for a nanny?

With my term time only family, I take holiday in the school holidays but they've always stated that I can take days off if needed and i usually owe them back in the school holidays. This works well for me.

The problem for me isn't so much holidays, but more friend's weddings, hen dos etc.. I don't want to be limited due to not being able to take a day off. So I make work my priority but dates which aren't within my control, I will ask for it off.

You could compromise and say 1 week in term time and the other in the holidays (you may find they take both in holidays anyway!)

A nanny with her own children would be a good bet

That's fine as long as there is some flexibility for the occasional day to be taken during term time.

Private does make a difference as the nanny can still go away outside of main school holidays.

It doesn't really bother me, I've had a few roles like this, although they were all on the odd occasion okay to make the occasional concession - eg wedding of a close friend on a Friday etc. I know it's more expensive but I quite like the timings, and now I have my own child who comes to work with it, I'm aware that soon she will be at school and it won't be long before I have no choice on it!

If you're clear this is the deal then she can choose whether to accept. I've not done it myself as it seems unfair but it does end up very expensive for me, as I'm then finding holiday cover for her when she takes her two weeks in term time, and also pay her the furlough/layoff thingie when we are on hols.

I think state on the job spec that its term time only holiday but private school have longer holiday periods, should be fine for most people. Be prepared to be flexible for family weddings / funerals or one off days that someone really has to take off...