Giving notice

[chickenmama]

I told one of my parents last week that I will be giving them notice to end the contract. The contract says 4 weeks notice, so I've left it til now to do... only I've just read it can't be given over a holiday period, and I'm away for 2 weeks of the next 4! What do I do??

Are you using a pre-printed contract, such as one from NCMA?

yes, it's the ncma one

Could you give 6 weeks notice?

I'd be inclined to give 4 weeks notice, and see if the parents moan. If they moan, then increase it to 6 weeks.
You have already told the parents, last week - so you are a week in hand already, so if you now gave them 4 weeks written notice, they will have had 5 weeks notice, including the 1 week verbal.

I don't have an NCMA contract to look at, so now sure of the wording on it. You would be in breach of contract by not giving notice as the contract outlines.

'note 25, notice of termination of contract: notice of termination of contract by either party must be given in writing. such notice of termination must not be given during a period of the childminders or parents time off or where no fee has been given for time off.'

reading that again, I'm now wondering if it just means you can't slip a note through their door while theyre away on holiday and then insist you had given the full 4 weeks notice, if you get what i mean??

I think I'll do what you suggested, give 4 weeks notice now and then if they say anything, I'll phone the ncma to clarify it. I'm not certain what that note means so I'll just ignore it for now!

Is notice via email acceptable?

I would read that as meaning you can't give notice while the parents are away on holiday.

Notice can be given verbally, e-mail, and written. You have already given it verbally - or at least hinted. I'd give it officially now via e-mail - but also write a brief note to them, and give to them their child is next with you (as a way of confirming the e-mail).

Thanks Nick

sorry to hi- jack the thread and this may be an obvious question but.... does a months notice actually have to be from x date to the same date a month later, or can it be 28 working days?

think if contract says a month, then it should go from date to date

but if contract says 4 weeks, then you give 4 weeks