christmas bonuses

[hatterselfamerrymerrychristmas]

Aargh. It?s not letting me post properly and I need a quick response. How much Christmas bonus for a 3-day a week nanny who brings her own girl, in SW London? Gets paid £65 net a day and will get rise in Jan

do you mean you have a nanny now and she doesn't even give a cardto your children?

That is awful

Like I said before I don't understand some parents like some friends of mine the DH always got a huge bonus at christmas BUT never gave any to the childminder although she had looked after their DD for years. WHY?

Binkie - what do you give for a "proper" bonus. Is that expected? I gave our nanny £150 - she has been with us for 11 months and will get a payrise in a month. Should I give her an annual bonus too? I kind of wasn't planning on it. Is just a Christmas one ok?

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I gave our evil nanny whom I sacked a month's wages as bonus. The 13th month is more or less expected here. Sadly (before anyone asks!) I don't get a bonus of any kind!

kanga, "bonuses" vary - Dh gets a "huge" bonus, but it is effectively part of his salary. If he were to change industry he would get a larger basic salary but smaller (if any) bonus. The bonuses are usually performance related as well - it would be unusual for someone in industry to get a huge bonus just because it is Christmas.

As to why c/ms don't often get bonuses, I guess I also see bonuses as something that employees receive, whereas c/ms are usually running their own business. Agree its unfair (and if it helps I did always give my nanny both a Christmas and annual bonus).

I just felt that as the friends DH was always boasting to anyone that would listen about his huge bonus it would have been kind to share it out.

I guess I was being a bit silly

Yes, as a childminder I am self employed and that is the way I like it . Also I choose who I want to look after

Kanga, I have both a nanny and a childminder and nursery and afterschool program. It's a working mother's nightmare. And yes out of all of them, the Nanny was the only one who ignored the childrens' birthdays! I am going to give her notice on friday.

SofiaAmes I don't blame you that is so my goodness I can't believe that

That is so awful, I am shocked

How could someone do that?

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I don't really remember if she verbally wished them happy birthday, I suppose she probably did. She is very busy at the moment as she works full time nannying for another family as well (does them in the afternoon and my kids in the morning), is renovating a flat and is planning her wedding. However, I still don't think that excuses not picking up even a little book or a few chocolates at the corner store. She could even have said, "oh I'm so sorry I didn't have time to get you something...I'll pick up a little gift on the weekend." I'm more perplexed than angry. I don't really know why she didn't get them a present. Even our lodger who is 23 and has noooo money managed to pick them up a little book each. The only other issues I've had with her have been related to her being rushed and trying to do her personal things while she's supposed to look after the children (ie phone calls and errands with the kids in tow). I think she just took too much on.

I know some people don't celebrate birthdays and I wouldn't like to encourage the idea that one is entitled to a present or that anyone not giving a present is in the wrong.

However I think birthdays are an important part of growing up - its a learning experience in many ways. I am saddened that a child-carer would fail to acknowledge a child's birthday, I would have thought a greeting card appropriate.

re bonuses for Childminders -
LOL Kanga, I thought my 3 tins (for me & family) were a lot! I was very pleased (and surprised) to get a £20 Next voucher from one family. I've never received a cash bonus and don't expect to in the future. I do charge holiday pay over the Christmas week though.

Our AU pair has not ackowleged any of out childrens birthdays, its so disappointing because we all like her. A brithday card would have been perfect. At first I thought she just overlooked DD,s Birthday because she was only with us a couple of weeks. We all made a big effort for her b'day with cake and meal out, which we also asked her friend along she was really grateful, now she has just ignored DS's bithday. Our previous A-P sent on cards for the children ( which is nice thought)