Holidays / Contracts question

[mummykench]

Sorry I know it's a Bank Holiday w/e but I'm hoping there's someone out there who can advise. I've got a mum coming over Tuesday morning to sign contracts etc. She's paying a retainer for September and her ds is starting in October when she starts Uni.

Her course is pretty full-on and from what she said she only gets the summer holidays off apart from obvious Bank Holidays etc. So do I charge her for the summer holiday as it's so long? And what do I charge? If I take someone on in his place just for that holiday then obviously I can't charge her - but it's so far away I've no idea if I'll be able to get someone.

And I'm a bit confused about the holiday bit in the NCMA contract. I understand that if she takes a holiday I still charge (apart from this unknown summer holiday bit), but what about my holiday? What do I put in the Childminder paid time off bit? Does that mean that if I put 4 weeks in that bit then she has to pay me when I go on holiday? I thought CMs didn't get paid when they go on holiday because they are not 'open' during that time? Do you mention holidays on your policies or is the contract sufficient information? And who is responsible for finding care for the child while I am on holiday?

I will obviously ask her to sign all my policies as well, but I have lots of other permission slips I printed from the NCMA website - e.g. applying sun-tan lotion, taking photos etc. Shall I get her to sign all of those as well or wait until I need permission?

Sorry for waffling, hope you are all enjoying the weather.

Jacqui x

Oh and why are there 3 copies of the contract?

Hi!
Def get all permissions signed then it's done and covers all eventualities. Holiday pay is up to you - personally I charge 1/2 fee retainer for both my 4 weeks off and the parents 4 weeks off but others charge full for parents holiday and nothing for their own.
3 copies are 1 for parents, one for your records and spare ie for separated parents (one each) look in otes on front cover of contract, I think it says which colour is for who.
Again, payment for summer hols is up to you. If parent thinks they might want you at all then they pay retainer for hols and full fees for any days child comes in. If parent def doesn't want you at all over hols then you decide whether you are glad of time of and dont charge, can fil space with hols only child and dont charge or want to charge retainer. I think if you charge retainer you then have to be available for the child's normal hours although should be pre arranged and paid at full rate obviously!
You would need to discuss with parent who is responsible for findng care if you are not available. Personally I leave it to the parents although I am friendly with a group of childminders so always have back up care if it was needed, ie in an emergency.
I do have a section in my policies that explains about holiday, reatiner fees, contracts permissions etc.
Hope this helps!

One copy for you, onefor the parent, and one for any other outside agency involved, ie Social services if a community childminding scheme, college or uni if they are paying the fees.

I give parents a print out of all my policies and procedures, and write on the contract (in the additional notes part), that parents have this for their own refernece. Covers you against any 'misunderstandings'.

I personally don't charge for when I am off so I put a line through the word paid, then write the 4 weeks on.

Do the permission slips with the contracts, then all your paperwork is over and done with.