Arrangements/Payment over Christmas

[MrsNOC]

We've to pay our childminder for the bank holidays over Christmas and new year. We also have to pay for the other days (4 days per week) as she says that she's available to mind the children. We'll be overseas for over 2 weeks so this is a lot to pay when she won't be minding our child.

We've just used the standard NCMA contract and there isn't anything specific in it about holiday arrangements. Although we discussed sick leave at the start, we didn't discuss holidays over Christmer.

She's a lovely, caring lady and am happy with how things have been going for the past couple of months.

What arrangements have other prople made?

i'm a childminder and use the ncma contracts too. There is a bit on the second page of the contracts which outlines all holidays.

personally i charge for all time i am available and don't charge if i or my dd are poorly or we are on holiday (i have 3 weeks a year unpaid)

i do charge for bank holidays and make sure parents are aware o this when a contact is signed.

over christmas i am working all days except christmas day, boxing day and new years day. if my parents choose to not bring their child to me they still have to pay as the hours are contracted and i am unable to fill a space.

talk to your childminder about it - its better to be upfront and tell her you are unsure of what you do regarding holidays.

hope that helps x

If your childminder is available for business, like a nursery etc, you have to pay. It is your choice whether or not to take the holiday. You are paying to hold the space open for your child.

It is the norm

i charge for all bank holidays. have 4 weeks half pay holidays (2 at christmas) and if parents are off sick or hols they pay full price. all in contract, policies etc. no discussion

Tell her you will be dropping off your child at the normal time on Christmas morning .... you'll soon find out if she's available to work. If she is and your contract states she is paid for Bank Holidays, then I'm afraid you should pay. My NCMA contract clearly states I do not work Bank Holidays. Therefore, parents are paying me for every working day over Christmas (excluding Bank Holidays) whether they are here or on holiday.

should add, says bank hols are charged but not worked/.

Yep, I am the same.

My contracts and policies clearly state that I charge in full for ALL bank holidays including xmas day, boxing day and new years day. I am open over xmas (except the bank hols) but most of my mindees are off. One is also off for 2 weeks (are you my parent ) but I have asked for and recieved full payment. It is their choice not to come. When I am on holiday or off sick, I do not charge.

Thanks for your replies and info. Seems like its standard to pay. Ah well!

I am closed from xmas eve to 5th jan and my parents will not be charged for this time because i am not available to provide the service for them. I do not charge on bank holidays either for the reason that I am shut on bank holidays and therefore do not feel it is fair to charge when I am not prepared to look after their child. To keep things simple I say if i am open full charge is paid if i am shut for any reason no charge is expected.