Childcare on bank holidays

pinkshoes

There's two bank holidays coming up, and I have a LOT of work to do, which I can't do with my son at home (he likes pressing buttons on the computer!).

My son is with a childminder normally on these days.

On days where I take a holiday, I have to pay a 50% retainer fee.

I asked the childminder if she worked the bank holidays, and she said yes, but it was double fees per hour!!

So on Friday, I either have to pay 50% fee and have my son at home, or 200% to take him to the childminder.

I was assuming she didn't work bank holidays, so as it was HER taking a holiday, I wouldn't have to pay.

My best mate used to childmind, and didn't work bank holidays, so didn't charge, and nor does someone else I know, so now I'm confused by what's the 'norm'!.

What do other people's childminder's do??

sweaty_betty

Hmm... it's a tricky one. We use a nursery and have to pay for every Mon-Fri of the year, whether it's bank holiday, we're on holiday, or not. There's no option to pay double to put children in for BHs.

It seems a bit tight for you to pay either double time (with it being BH) or half time - either it's a working day for the childminder or not.

IMO if it is a working day, then you should pay the 50% retainer if you want to take the day off and the regular fee if you don't want to take the day off and want to use her services. If it isn't a working day for the childminder, you shouldn't have to pay anything (I'm presuming that you don't pay when she's on holiday?).

It sounds like you need to work on those days though, so I'm guessing she's got the upper hand as she's dictating the prices. In the short term you might have to pay the 200% but I would discuss it with her and see if you can reach a compromise. If you can't I'd be tempted to look elsewhere if I'm honest, but that's only a decision you can make (and based on a whole load of other factors).

susancs

As the above poster says it is a tricky one and down to the contract you agreed with the childminder. I can see both sides as usually if you are employed you get full pay for bank holidays from the person paying your wages even if you don't work it or get extra paid holidays in lieu of those days if working , but if self employed you either take it unpaid or charge a higher fee per hour, job or day to cover the day you may be unpaid. A lot of nurseries charge full rate for bank holidays and don't offer a service on those days.

On the other hand it does seem a bit unfair that you pay for a service that you can't use (even if only half rate), when she does work the bank holidays. I wonder if she does not work bank holidays but offers it only as an extra service at a higher rate. You really need to check the terms and conditions of your contract with her.

susancs

Just found and interesting thread on netmums about this with views from childminders.
http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/working-childcare-692/childcare-691/390994-bank-holiday-pay-childminders.html

whitewing

Could you have him there for half his normal 'shift' and pay your usual amount?

[Deleted User]

I had similiar experiences with a nursery, u pay the same amount regardless of bank holidays.

I had a lot of problems with childminders. They used standard National Childminders contracts and if your child had a sniffle ., the childminder was perfectly entitled to refuse to take your child as they were ill. I had a lot of employment and lost wage problems (wasn't a high earner) because of this.., and I still had to pay the childminder lol. Unfortunately my son had colds all the time.., so it was very difficult. Its not that I wanted to leave him with a childminder feeling cranky, but I used up all my years holiday and sick leave within the first six months of one job lol. I actually got into a situation where I couldn't continue working believe it or not.

I think childminders should have fair contracts, but my experience was that paid for child care was rather unworkable for people on an ordinary salary. Childminder holidays just added to the problem.., I didn't find a way to work AND keep to a standard childminder's contract.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

Won't his dad be off on the Bank Hols?

FBaby

I think it is incredibly cheeky to expect payment of 50% on the basis that it is not HER day off, but then expect double pay because she is. Either it's a normal day for her that SHE chose to work, or she doesn't.

I expect there isn't much you can do as it is most likely in the contract, but this is another reason why I think childcare has gone completely mad in this country.

susancs

It seems that some parents may get child care payments and this is paid all year round so if a parent is receiving payment for bank holiday days then it would seem unfair that they would keep this payment, as well as get paid by an employer, whilst a childminder is not paid for bank holidays. The same seems to apply to child are vouchers in that they are not reduced when holidays are taken. In those cases fifty percent seems fair, I think the issue would be as you state the double time on a bank holiday when she chooses to work as if it was a normal day. On the other hand it may be that her own children are at home with her and as she is regulated as to the number of children she can have, she has to charge more to earn her normal working daily rate as may have one paying child, instead of three.

marisco_2

I cant answer your orginial question as I dont use childminders. However on the odd occassion that I need someone to look after my boys I use this company www.sitters.co.uk. I can highly recommend them and their rates may be more reasonable.

pinkshoes

Hmmm, I guess there is nothing I can do. I'm quite sure the double fee is that she doesn't actually want anyone that day - she does have 2 kids of her own

Daddy is indeed at home, but will be nipping in and out all day as he's already agreed to help someone with something.

Will just have to do my work a bit later in the evening!

DS also goes to nursery, and we have to pay all year round, but they charge depending on the day I.e. Mondays are cheaper because there are less of them.