Calling All Childminders: What holidays should you take

[MyBoo]

I am hoping some childminders are reading this.

My Childminder contract states that when I am on holiday I have to pay her full money but when she is on holiday I don't have to pay her. I think this is pretty standard ...But .... My childminder is not taking any holidays this year so I will have to pay her for 52 weeks and so will the other parents.

Is this correct - can she do this. Between Christmas & New Year when all the parents are not at work she will not have any children but she will receive full pay from all parents.

Is she allowed not to take any holidays. Surely she is subject to the working time directive like the rest of us and should take 20 days off work?

If she is not available between Christmas and New Year and you do not pay when she is not available, then I don't think you should pay for this time. Maybe you should have a set Christmas holiday written into the contract?

HSMM

What she is saying is that she is available so we all have to pay her even though we are all off work.

I don't want to upset her by being the one parent to say something - I am a chicken!

If she says shes available to work, its irrelevant wether the other kids are in or not, thats their choice. The fact is they could send if they wanted to, as shes open, as could you. If you asked to send in over the christmas break and she said you couldn't, then you shouldnt pay, but only IF the contract states that you dont pay when shes off. It could work in your favour, you could send in your LO to get christmas shopping done in peace or to have a restful day after christmas.

my childminder takes 15 days holidays a year and i also have the same. we pay full price for her holidays and a reduced price for ours.

the way i see it she is entitled to paid leave the same as i am from my job so i have no problem whatsoever paying her for them.

well i charge full fees for my hols and theres 4 weeks and it works i try to acomodate every one .we all need a rest .

If she's available then you have to pay. Nurseries are the same - you pay for every week they are open regardless of whether you choose to send your child in!

I too am suprised a parent is complaining about a CM not taking holiday.

"I am completely at £875, my dd nursery is £540 full time monthly and it closes for 2 weeks at Christmas, so we only pay 50 weeks.
I am a NHS nurse and could never afford to work if I had to pay such an amount.
But then I live north of the border! "

£875 is only about £4 an hour - that's average for CMs where I am (Bristol), London would be more like £6. Local nurseries are also £40-£45 a day, so more like a grand a month full time.

yes its about 4.50 here, just south of London. Also, dont forget this is before tax, cost of heating and all other utilities, car, wear and tear (no small cost as a childminder, think scribbled on everything, handles pulled off things, cds taken out and scattered while youre in the loo...)activities, materials such as paint, paper, glue.....
it doesnt ALL go on new shoes and handbags you know....