CM's: Charging during half term hols?

[Snooch]

Hello, just a quick question regarding term time only contracts - do I still charge during half term holidays? Never had a term time only contract before and am budgeting for the next couple of months - not sure whether to charge for the week that the kids are off at the end of May as this is technically still part of the school term but they're not actually at school are they....?

Some do some don't, usually its written into the contract, no fee, 1/2 or full fee. It's up to you if you charge or not, but bear in mind if you charge a retainer the space must be kept open if they decide to use it. Personally I don't as I have mindees that are just term time and just holiday club, but I make it clear that the space will not be available if it's a TT only contract.

HTH

Thanks atwork - meant the week that the kids are off in Feb (was a term ahead there, not so organised that I'm budgeting for May already!!). Yeah, I'm aware of the whole retainer thing - I don't charge one for the holidays, was just confused about half term and whether or not this is still technically term time or not - we have a term time only contract in place?

why would the half term holiday be techinically term time? The children arent at school and the school isnt open?

But you could put it in the contract that you charge for half terms but not bigger holidays maybe, then it would be up to parents to decide.

i have a term time only contract with dd's childminder, i only pay her for the weeks that school is open, she doesn't work/i don't pay her for any school holiday time (dh is a teacher)

Ok, thanks everybody - that clears it up for me. Excuse the ignorance with regards to the schooling here - have never looked after school age children and haven't been in the country very long - where I come from the school system is very different!

If the kids are off school then its not classed as TT, I think last year they had a total of 18weeks off which included training / development days so technically not classed as TT. WRT budgeting what I have started doing is dividing over 52wks and mindees pay the same each week regardless of whether I have them or not, it is much easier for me to budget as I know whats coming in each week and although I don't charge for my holidays its a bit like getting paid anyway. Also helps parents as the cost stays the same each week and just comes out on STO. It also reduces late payers / bad debtors a heck of a lot and I'm not constantly chasing people for payment.

I like that idea atwork - really difficult having money one month and then none the next! Simplifies the whole thing too. Think I'll speak to my parents about it and see what they think - thanks!

Yep it was a pita having payments one week (for monthly payers) then nothing or not a lot for the rest of the month and if payments were late it was a nghtmare trying to budjet for bills etc. It was really hard for the first couple of months untill it kicked in but so much better now and easier to keep track of with online banking. I still have a couple who pay with vouchers but I just view that as a bit extra IYSWIM.

You can have a contract for term time only. I would not charge for holiday if you had this type of contract. If I wish I could fill this vacancy during holiay time.

Each childminder may vary.

MJ