do we charge?

[no1childminder]

we are childminders and have a mindee 3 days a week, only an hour before school. when he first started we explained to the parents that as hes only with us 3hrs a week his place in the school holidays arent secured. we offered to childmind his baby sister too and said that would secure his place, but they chose to put her in a day nursery. they understood and said if theres no space they would put him in school clubs so its not a problem. easter hols are coming up and there is space for him. he wont be coming all 6 days as his grandma is visiting, but we dont know whether to charge or not for the days hes not coming? they signed the contract which states the hours and days for holidays and the above was only verbally agreed. what shall we do?

This is why everything needs to be in writing...

I would ring them up... and discuss it with them.

I look after some children who are term time only and I have told their parents they can ask for odd days in the holidays, but I cannot guarantee to have a space. When they do come in the holidays, I just charge my normal hourly rate for the days they are with me. (I am tempted to say "no" sometimes and pretend I am full )

we are the opposite, we automatically have him but let them know if we cant. so do we charge if they choose not to bring him in?

I think you need to ask them to confirm with you by a date which days they would like to book for the hols. I would want to plan my activities for the hols and would want to know how many I had on each day. Get them to write it down and sign it. They have then booked you for those days and those days will be charged for regardless. You all need to know where you stand. I'm all for being flexible for parents but not being at their beck and call. They need to decide what they are doing and tell you.

Since he only comes if you are available then seems unfair to make them pay for the days he's not in! The fact is that you are not working that day and you haven't turned down a booking for him because if you had he wouldn't have had a place iyswim??

So charge when he is in and it is their risk that he might not have a place with you

thank you guys, turns out he doesnt want us any of the days so we have charged just his normal hours to retain his place. (he only comes 4.5hrs a week so not much- £8.25 a day)