Childminders - quick question...

[chickenmama]

I haven't been minding long and this weekend is my first bank holiday. I won't have the kids but don't know if I should charge. It wasn't discussed when the contracts were signed. The parents are happy to pay if that's usual for most childminders but I don't want to charge them if I shouldn't (and feel a little guilty taking their money when I'm not working)...

So I'd really appreciate if you could tell me whether or not you charge for bank holidays, if it's full fee or something else, and I'll go with the majority!

Many thanks!

full fess payable for bank hoildays in this area

Mine doesn't charge me for bank holidays as she wouldn't be working them anyway.

I think most around here just charge for bank holidays if they are available to work them.

I never charged for bank hols but different childminders have different policies. When you decide what to do, amend contracts accordingly.

If the child's contracted day is also a bank holiday (and you are available to work it)then a full fee is payable whether they attend or not.

If you don't want to work it you can't charge for it.

I charge full fees for a bank holiday if it is a child's usual day but I am not available to work. Have never had a problem with parents paying it.

That doesn't sound right I mean, I never work bank holidays, I am unavailable. However I charge parents full fees for the day.

Why?

Why do you get paid for a day you are unavailable to work?

Isn't that a bit, well, grabby?

Its entirely up to you. I don't personally. I want the day off, so therefore I'm closed! If however, a parent wanted me to work bank holiday, I would charge double time. One of my parents insisted on paying me for the Christmas bank holidays and wouldn't take no for an answer. We agreed on half each in the end!

I reckon it's ok to have paid bank holidays if you work for someone else, but it's a different kettle of play-doh when you're self employed.

Just the way I have always done it and never had a parent have a problem with it. My annual leave and any sick days are unpaid.

I am available to work and would have done if I had been asked... but I'm glad I've got the days off :O

It's looking like more people do charge a fee. The cheque the parents have given me for this week includes full fee for tomorrow. I might suggest they don't pay for the Monday and therefore have half fees for unworked bank holidays. How does this sound?

the :O was supposed to be a big grin

I'm not a childminder but my son is cared for by a lovely childminder. I don't work bank holidays, but I do get paid. I am more than happy to pay full fees for the bank holiday as she is fab and deserves a paid day off like the rest of us.

Our contract states half fees for holidays but I'd prefer to pay her full fees for those as well. After all, I get paid holidays. I certainly would not see it as grabby if she asked for payment for the bank holidays at all, but then I think it is important that she is happy in our working relationship. My son loves being with her and her family.

im half. my childminder i used introduced this last year and at first i thought she was just being greedy but now im a childminder i see it from her view.

I don't know any childminder who doesn't charge for bank holidays. And posts on various forums indicate that across the country by far the majority do charge for bank holidays. Either by a fee specified in your contract for bank holidays or by a little maths - working out the fees for a years bank holidays and then spreading the cost across the year and adding into the childminding rates.

You can't charge a fee for bank holidays unless its already in your contract though.