No CM contract, need to give notice, don't want to leave my lovely CM in the lurch - how long should I pay her for?

[usedtoreadbooks]

My DD is with her CM full time. I am moving house at short notice (3 weeks from now - had thought it would be 6-8 at the earliest) and need to give notice. I don't have a contract with her. How long should I pay her for? 4 weeks? 6?

I feel bad about this because a/ she loves DD and will be sad to see her go so suddenly and b/ this could be really painful for her financially unless she can find a replacement quickly. Any suggestions for things I can do to soften the blows?

I had to give my CM a months notice, I know some prefer 6 weeks. If there is no formal contract then I think 4 weeks would be ok.
Is there no contract because she is a friend or just because one was never offered? It is kind of strange!
Ideas to soften the blow? Depends what you can afford really. If you're flush then you could pay her for an extra 2 weeks (effectively giving her 6 weeks paid to find another mindee).

We didn't have a contract because she wanted several months as a trial, and then it was Christmas and we didn't sort it out last month. I would have pushed it but didn't because I thought my move would be likely at some point in the first half of this year.

I may have already found her another mindee, actually. I've been telling everyone I know how brilliant she is and my neighbour has asked me for her number.

I think you are right about 6 weeks. I'm not rolling in cash but that feels less like dumping her in it than 4.

thanks!

I think if you have found her another mindee then the usual 4 is fair.

Thanks.

You should have had a contract anyway, with the trial period put on it, and the notice period. No child should start with a CM without a contract.