questions about childminder contracts

[nickymorris]

Hi there

a couple of random questions about what is 'normal' for a contract with a childminder which I wonder if the collective knowledge of MN might be able to answer

1, when my DS started to go to the childminder I signed a contract but didn't get a copy... I should have a copy shouldn't I...?

2, Is it normal to pay the CM half pay on bank holidays, when she doesn't take my DS?

Thanks

you should have got a copy of your contract. it all depends what use agreed and signed on the contract. if you havent got a copy ask to see it she will must like still have your copy attached to hers.
i charge half fees for my annual leave (5 weeks) and full fee for the few bank holidays i take this was discussed and agreed with the parents. every childminder is different and works there fees differently.

Yes - you should have a copy of the contract.

Paying on bank holidays - well it would be written down in the contract - I pay full fee for a BH even though she doesnt have DS.

I kind of forget about how much you are paying per day or week, but kind of think of it as another (large) monthly cost. It is swings and roundabouts as different childminders have different fee arrangements.

HTH!

I would ask for your copy of the contract. You should have one and you should have periodic reviews also. As others have said each minder stipulates their own terms, so if you have agreed to pay fees over Bank Hols then you will be obliged to pay. You could however discuss this at your contract review. Very often CM's in areas all try to be similar so it may be the norm where you live for minders to charge B/Hol fees, paid holidays etc.

Yes you should definitely have a copy

No not 'normal' to pay half for bank hols, all CM I know charge full (and not have the child) but of course it's up to her if she only wants to accept half - her loss

Thanks for all this info. I've asked the childminder for a copy of the contract and she was surprised she hadn't already given me one - so that will come soon.

I'll also feel lucky about the bank holiday thing!!

One other question - do you know how I find the ofsted reports for a cchildminder? Is it on the internet? Didn't seem obvious to me when I checked...

On the subject of Bank Holidays, I charge my normal rate - most (but not all) parents will be paid for Bank Holidays so a professional childminder should not be different imo.

I think you go onto the Ofsted website and can enter the Childminder's registration number. Just a word of warning though, I personally think the Ofsted reports have no baring on a childminder at all. All the wonderful childminders I know have either satisfactory or good. I know of some childminders with outstanding and imho, don't think they are worthy or it. Also, these childminders are the ones who spend most of their time writing up observations and other paper work instead of actually playing with the children. This is what Ofsted look for. Paperwork and more paperwork. Not interested in how you are with the children - in my experience anyway.
After 9 years of working with children and nannying and receiving nothing but glowing references, I received a "satisfactory" from Ofsted when I became a childminder. All because I didn't have a sky high pile of paperwork