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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Anyone childmind/nanny for a teacher? Or are you a teacher who uses childcare?

27 replies

Tilberry · 20/03/2009 11:02

I'm a teacher and will need childcare in January (if everything goes to plan). Is it possible to get childcare for term-time only or will I have to pay in the school holidays even though I won't need it. I know it's a long way away but I am worrying about it (amongst a hundred other things...)
Thanks!

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HaventSleptForAYear · 20/03/2009 11:05

I do this but in France.

We have worked out how many weeks a year the DC will go to the cm and then divide it by 12 to give a fixed monthly salary.

But not everyone would be happy with that I think.

mumlove · 20/03/2009 11:08

I charge normal fees during term time and half fees in the school holidays, then if the parent needs a few days in the school holidays to do some things then as long as I have a few days notice they can use the space and just pay the extra for the time used.

Original poster

Tilberry · 20/03/2009 11:17

Thanks, I figured CMs would be more flexible, I guess nurseries have more strict rules plus I'm not sure that I like the idea of a nursery...

OP posts:

JenniPenni · 20/03/2009 11:28

I know CMs who only work term times, preferring time with their kids during the holidays, and not working. So check around, I am sure you'll find one who can help

duckyfuzz · 20/03/2009 11:30

I had a nanny who we paid for term time plus about 5 weeks hols, divided over the whole year to give a monthly income (but we have twins which make nanny more cost effective!)

coral · 20/03/2009 11:30

Look around as all childminders are different and much more flexible than nurseries. I actually charge for term time only (no retainer over the holidays) as, having minded for 10 years, I have lots of schoolies who like to still come in the holidays and it is frees up one of my spaces for them. Also, it is a really good idea to ask when you are looking as to when the childminder usually takes her holidays as they may be regularly during term time which could be problematic for you.

weddingcake · 20/03/2009 13:05

I am a Nanny with my own child and I've just finished a job working for a teacher who had a child the same age as my own. Worked well for us - she was grateful not to have to pay through the holidays and I was grateful for the break and the chance to spend some one on one time with DS every 6 or so weeks.

PandaG · 20/03/2009 13:10

I used to childmind exclusively term time only, and charged no retainer over the holidays. I could be available for the odd day in the school hols if needed, but I liked just having my own children then.

some nurseries will do a term time only contract, but you have to look around for them

HSMM · 20/03/2009 13:38

I have some children term time only and some children holidays only. I don't need to charge when they are not there, because other children have filled the 'gaps'.

asg198 · 20/03/2009 14:00

I am a nanny and would happily work term time only and then either find temp work in the hols esp the summer, or go away myself or work for other families I have worked for where their children are now at school so don't need me term time but would love me to help out in the hols, where abouts are you based?

Original poster

Tilberry · 20/03/2009 14:10

I'm in Norwich, the baby is due in July and I expect to stay off until January- but still hoping for a lottery win so I can give up all together! Although don't think we can afford a nanny and i don't think you can use childcare vouchers either- might be wrong on this one. Thanks for all the advice...

OP posts:

nbee84 · 20/03/2009 14:15

You can use childcare vouchers for an Ofsted registered nanny - but you are right, with only one child they work out quite a bit more expensive than a nursery or childminder.

lindseyfox · 20/03/2009 16:39

some of my colleagues are term time only and one uses a nursery and remember when she was looking about 18mths ago to come back to work and was shocked when i told her she would have to pay in the holidays even is she chose not to send her daughter

well every nursery she looked at did charge whether she went or not so although she works term time only she sends her daughter in the hols and has some mummy time but will work all year when the option becomes available.

ramonaquimby · 20/03/2009 16:44

I'm a teacher and pay term time only - childminder has children of her own and likes the break (I think!) The 38 weeks is spread over 52 though.

fairimum · 20/03/2009 16:59

I am an ex-teacher - I now work as a nanny and take my daughter with me - I earn more this way than going back to teaching and paying childcare (Berkshire) - alhtough I guess it depends where you live as to how much your childcare is! Works really well for us, I look after a little girl who is 4 months older than my DD and then their son who is 5 after school and in the holidays! Parents liked the idea as meant their daughter got some company and means I am cheaper than a nanny without their own child! usually about 25% cheaper i think (although some nannies with their own child are the same as theyw ould be without!, although a teacher i had no nanny experience!

nomoreamover · 20/03/2009 17:16

I CM for teachers children and am ex teacher myself.

You will need to be prepared to pay a half fee retainer for the holidays tbh - its fairly standard but don't be told you should pay more than that!

Also - I happily work late occasionally to cover cover lessons and parents evening - you shouldn't find it too much of a problem

CM is also more likely to start earlier for you too otherwise you'll be a bit stuck for getting in for registration etc if you can't drop off til 8am!

ThePrisoner · 20/03/2009 17:49

I have several teachers whose children I mind - and am happy to offer term-time-only contracts, with no retainer during school holidays (both for under and over 5s).

I offer a pay-as-you-go service during the school holidays for the older schoolchildren that I have during term-time, and many of the teachers take advantage of this as well for their under 5s, and will book occasional days.

I also tend to have a lot of ad hoc work during the school holidays, with people just booking odd days here and there.

It works really well for me - I have been minding for a long time, so people know about me (not necessarily a good thing maybe ).

underpaidandoverworked · 20/03/2009 19:19

I mind for a teacher and don't charge a retainer for school holidays, because if I did, I would have to keep the place open for her incase she needed me (has only happened twice in 3yrs!). I often have enquiries for care during school holidays and can boost my income this way. However, what I do is work out the costs for the teacher parent for the 39 weeks of the year I'm needed, then divide it by 12. This keeps her monthly costs to a minimum and means I still have an income whether I care for the child or not. If I'm sick then we carry the hours 'in lieu' so that she has emergency care if she needs it. I also don't take holidays during term-time so she never has to find other childcare.

It works for us, hope you get sorted too.

Littlefish · 20/03/2009 19:28

When dd started at her childminder's (aged 10 months), the childminder worked all year round, and although we didn't use her in the holidays, we still paid her. I used to continue sending dd one day a week in the holidays in order to get some school work done.

She then gave me the option of sending dd term time only so we don't pay in the holidays anymore (but I still occasionally pay for extra odd days in the holiday if I need some planning time.

pointydog · 20/03/2009 19:41

Look for a cm who does not charge teachers for holidays. I've had two who don't. That suits some cms very well.

Original poster

Tilberry · 20/03/2009 19:42

Thanks, that's really helpful. Should I be approaching CMs now then do you think?- it seems a long way off...

OP posts:

Chatkins · 20/03/2009 19:43

I also cm for a teacher and do not charge for the holdidays, as I am just as happy to have them off - we do split the money over 52 weeks though.

underpaidandoverworked · 20/03/2009 19:50

It might seem an age away, but it'll be here before you know it! Most CMs won't be able to tell you if they'll have a place available then - though some may keep a place open if you pay a deposit. Get a list of CMs from your local Family Information Services dept - or look online, which will give you an idea of rates they charge etc - and maybe give a couple of them a call to sound them out.

Also, a good place to find a cm is your local toddler/playgroup - most of us go to them and you can get to know the cms, watch them interracting with the children and 'suss' them out.

alibubbles · 20/03/2009 21:22

All my clients are teachers and have been for 10 years. I was approached by teachers of my DD's school and they told me they expected to pay half fees during the holidays, but that they wouldn't need me. It works well, and I do cover inset days and any staff meetings etc. in the fees, for no extra cost.

If someone doesn'twant to pay a retainer, I say I will charge a higher rate during term time, this works for some,

I don't know why because but the overall cost is the same, perhaps it is the perception of paying something for nothing that bugs them!

dreamteamgirl · 21/03/2009 12:15

Also in my area (north Hampshire) there are 3 nurseries within about 6 miles that operate termtimes and school hours only. 2 are attached to schools the other is independant. 1 only takes them from 3, but the other 2 takes them from 1 year. They work out a lot cheaper than the standard nurseries- I cant use them to as I need full days and holidays, but they are specifically aimed at teachers.

May be worth double checking that there is nothing like that in your area.

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