Childminders charging half fees when they are away on holiday.

Mips

Is this common practice?

How are we supposed to afford childcare to pay for the childminders whilst they are away, and then pay for a new childminder aswell?

bestpud

I think it is normal practice. Same as nurseries charging for days when they are closed!

They would say it is the equivalent of holiday pay if they were employed but then most self employed people don't have the luxury of holiday pay, so I'm not sure why childminders should either.

I can understand them charging when parents are away, but not when they are unavailable.

Saying that though, do you pay full fees to the childminder if you go away? I guess if she reduces the fees then, it would justify your having to pay when she is not there, to some degree?

pinkshoes

It depends on the childminder.

My friend has just started out childminding, and finds it morally very wrong that childminders charge for their own holidays. She thinks (and practices) that she adds a little extra onto the daily/weekly childminding fee that will cover the 4 weeks holiday she allows for herself, so does not charge when she is unavailable for childminding, allowing the parents to pay for alternative child care.

Mips

bestpud wrote: »

I think it is normal practice. Same as nurseries charging for days when they are closed!

They would say it is the equivalent of holiday pay if they were employed but then most self employed people don't have the luxury of holiday pay, so I'm not sure why childminders should either.



I can understand them charging when parents are away, but not when they are unavailable.

Saying that though, do you pay full fees to the childminder if you go away? I guess if she reduces the fees then, it would justify your having to pay when she is not there, to some degree?

This is my point exactly - and I also completely understand, if parents are taking days off when they should be having the child, then the childminder is losing out.

But paying someone to go on holiday?

And not all childminders do this at all.

Mips

pinkshoes wrote: »

It depends on the childminder.

My friend has just started out childminding, and finds it morally very wrong that childminders charge for their own holidays. She thinks (and practices) that she adds a little extra onto the daily/weekly childminding fee that will cover the 4 weeks holiday she allows for herself, so does not charge when she is unavailable for childminding, allowing the parents to pay for alternative child care.

I would prefer that to be honest.

It is just craziness to have to pay one childminders fees.. then another one to mind your kids too.

Nurseries, I can maybe understand a little more.. because they have to employ several members of staff per room - so those members of staff will be available to cover the ratio - even if, for example, 6 kids dont turn up that day.

But Mums are expected to work hard, bring the kids up well... it is just so hard.

jtb2412

From an ex-childminders point of view, I never used to charge when I was away on holiday but did charge if the children I looked after were away.

I did know childminders that used to charge half fee if they were on holidays themselves, but I didn't think it was fair tbh. Depends on the childminder at the end of the day. I disclosed all my fees at the initial meeting - did your childminder not do this?

emma12345

Some childminders even want full pay for their holidays, which I don't understand either as they're supposed to be self-employed. They seem to want it both ways.

My old childminder used to do this, she demanded full pay for 4 weeks a year. When I pointed out this was our entire work's holiday entitlement taken up (as we wouldn't be able to afford alternative childcare), she said that as I had 4 weeks and OH had 4 weeks we would just have to take separate holidays! We got a private nursery soon after that (they rarely charge for their holidays).

Another childminder who my son went to for 7 years only ever charged for the times my son went to her, she was brilliant.

Look around, there are some decent fair childminders out there. We found the good one through a recommendation.

kitchpoo

That's why I love my son's nursery....when I was paying per session, I was surprised when I didn't pay for him when we went on holiday and how flexible they are at fitting him in another day if we have to miss one providing they have a space.

bylromarha

My childminder doesn't charge for her holidays.
Have you already begun using this childminder? If not, might be worth checking out some others in the area if this cost will be a problem to you.

mumoftwins

When I was a childminder I used to only charge the parents half pay when they had holidays and nothing when I had mine.

Personally I would look around for another childminder!

robnye

as catherine tates 'grandma' character says.......'wot a flippin liberty'.... :rotfl: