holidays and childminders - quick query

[TheDuchess]

Just reading through the contract for our new childminder and she wants to charge us £2 for holidays. She wishes to have 5 weeks holiday and has put down 5 weeks for us, so 10 in total.

We appear to have a standard contract with four weeks notice either side for holidays. How to people work holidays in practice? TBH I had anticipated paying full rate for our holidays and bank holidays. I hadn't really thought about her holidays but it looks like we'll have to take ours when she wants hers as we just can't manage otherwise. Am a little shocked although I guess it is pretty reasonable from the childminder's perspective.

[nannynick]

Don't sign a contract until you are happy with it's terms. Chat with your prospective childminder and see what you can sort out between yourselves. You will find that some childminders charge for holidays, some don't, some charge 1/2 fees, it varies.

[eleusis]

Duchess, there is another thread about chilminder hols. And it got a bit heated, which is what ghosta is referring to.

If you are happy to pay for childminder to take hols, go ahead. But I certainly wouldn't be.

[TheDuchess]

I think I should have been clearer. I had assumed that the holidays would have been 4 weeks (for her) paid at her normal rate. After all, I get paid for holidays. I get 6 weeks off so with enough notice could probably juggle.

So sorry Ghosta to ask a question. Had (wrongly) assumed that this was what the forum is all about.

It is all a bit tricky though, isn't it? 10 weeks between is a bit difficult to sort. Will have to have a chat I think.

[eleusis]

Oh, and if it were me, I would ask for the four weeks not to be taken at once. This is just because I could not get 4 straight weeks off of my work. So, if she did say two weeks in summer and two at Christmas that would be much more workable.

[Ghostashoshabuster]

Here we go again, didnt we have this thread last week!!!!!!!!!

[faylisa]

When I was looking for a childminder I got the impression that they almost always charge for your holidays but not for their own.

Some do charge for their holidays as well but imho that should be reflected in their hourly/daily rate - ie it would be slightly higher if they get no paid holidays, to compensate for that fact.

[eleusis]

Oh, there's gonna be some action on this thread. You will find very divided opinions. Some people who thinks it's reasonable for childminders to charge for their hols. I am firmly grounded in the other camp. Childminders are self employed and have no right to any of the usual perk that come with being an employee (redundancy, sick leave, etc.)

I accept, however, that it is industry standard to pay bank holidays and whenever I don't show up whether that is because I'm on hols or my chhild is sick.

But no no no no way would I pay a childminder for her own holidays.

And, also, four weeks is not a lot of time to plan a holiday. I would ask for eight weeks notice.

[olsmum]

i would agree with you in that you should pay for your holidays but dont think you should have to pay for hers,obviously she is entiltled to have them but presumably you will need to find alternative care for your children. (actully that reminds me i really need to ask my child minder what her policies are because if i have to pay while she is having a week off there is no way i could afford to send dd to a nursery aswell) i will be interested to hear other peoples views, especially child minders