Cutting off my nose to spite my face!

[StrawberryMartini]

Ok in brief. Have 4 yr old just in the afternoons (can't pick up from his nursery so Mum drops him off here). I just get paid weekly for the hours I have him as it was only ever a temporary contract. As the hours vary I put in the contract minimum 3 hours a day.

Mum is not working in December. Her contract ends end of November but she wants to find a new job for January.

I have said they need to pay me for 15 hours a week (5x3hours) during December if they want me for January (am counting it as holiday).

Mum can't look for work until December so they don't know what the situation will be in January.

They don't want to pay me for December so have said that contract will end end of November, even though they will probably need a cm in Jan.

Thing is, I like this boy, and have no other interest. I am quite happy to have him in January but feel I must stick to my contract re payment for December.

If any of you have understood a word I said then I would appreciate advice! Thanks.

OK I am a mother with similar circumstances and what I say to my CM is that 'we may need you, BUT if for any reason you get loads of new kids who book, and you cannot accomadate us, we understand'

I have 2 kids, DH is an actor so we never really know what is going on. In fact tonight I went through stuff with her and explained we need her until end of term them for the first week of next term. DH is back on the 6th Jan and we won't need her for that week or the following week, however he may get a job again from 21st Jan. Basically if she gets enquires for those dates, she checks with me first. If I canot confirm dates, she takes others.

This way as a parent I get first refusal, but she is free to take any other kids.

One time we did pay a retainer for a month as we know we would need her from Sept - nov, then Jan - March so we paid 1/2 fees as we wanted to gaurentee a space IYKWIM

I understand why CM's ask for a retainer, BUT as I am willing to find other childcare if she cannot have my kids, why should I pay one??

BTW this has been going on for 3 years and there has been a handful pf days she has not been able to have my girls

You must stick to your contract SM. If you don't now, she may well mess you about in January. Just because she's looking for a job in December, doesn't guarantee that she will be sorted by January. Get you name back out there for babies, I've told you once!

I agree with both. If it was me, I'd make sure I'm paid up to when I should be i.e. if notice was given. I'd then say that obviously I may get other enquiries and if I do, I will let you know and give you first refusal. Then she has the option of paying to keep you or risk loosing you. So it's sticking to my guns but also giving parent a chance when I get an enquiry.

HTH

p.s. agree about the babies - I said this in the staff room earlier too

i say the contract ends november so she must pay you till then (assume she has given required notice?) then if she wants you in jan and you still have space then start a new PERMANANT contract with 4 weeks notice and paid holiday etc - if you really like the child it would be a shame to lose him.

Thanks ladies, as it was a temporary contract it's only a week's notice. I think I will tell them to ring in January and if I have a space then we will write a new contract. Bit annoyed as I would have got £180 for December (and I even let them off paying for the week between Christmas and New Year!).

I need a baby!!!

why are we all up so early on a saturday???

oh and strawbs, start advertising m8,being out of pocket at that time of year isnt very helpfull is it?!

No idea - why we are up early - but I am too

So am I have been up since 6.30, so have put it to good use and puting together packs of stuff to make christmas decs, we are making reindeer mobiles, they are so fun, you start wth the antlers hang the eyes, red nose from them the kids love making them.

Think you are best doing as you plan... doing a new contract in January IF they come back. Meanwhile aim to find full-time babies.

I was planning on having a lay-in today, as got the 'bug' from the children on Thusday, felt really rough on Friday while working (so I was ill, caring for ill children - oh the joys of being a nanny).

I've got that book Shosh! We make a rather cute Father Christmas from cd's and craft foam, I think they're in that book too.

I've been up since 6! Done all the washing and ironing, laid the table and put little notes in each of the serving dishes, so I don't forget which one is for which tonight. My friends laugh at me for doing that! I'm completely ready for my party now, so I can sit here until about 4pm! Yippee!

jeez don't you lot ever have a lie-in?

Can't sleep on an empty tummy Maxi! I was run ragged yesterday, starting with mindee at 6.15 and not finishing until 6.30. Then I had to prep the house for party, so I feel asleep as soon as I sat down at 8.30! Therefore I had 10 hours sleep, quite enough for me!