Do you charge bank holidays?

[Natalierose]

Hi all, a little advice please.
I am not going to charge when I am on holiday or for my sick days but will still charge when the child is away or sick. I am not going to be working any bank holidays but I have heard a lot of childminders still charge. What do you do?
Thanks

[AgentTink]

I only charge a bank holiday if i am available to work it. I ask all parents to give me 4 weeks notice if they wish to use me on a bank holiday. If they dont then i charge them normal fee for that day, however if they do they are charged double time. If a bank holiday falls within one of my weeks then i do not charge as i am not available. Hope this helps.

[bunyip]

I offer to work bank holidays if required, and do so at my normal rates. If I'm not required, I don't charge.

That said, I have no problem with CMs doing things entirely differently.

[Pixie dust]

I don't charge as I do not work bank holidays but I know of quite a few who charge parents and don't work them. This is something that you have to decide what works best for you, being self employed you decide how you would like to run your business, you are the boss!!!

[Chatterbox Childcare]

I charge and whatever rate I am contracted for so if it is in term time it will be that rate and if holiday time then that rate. however, I am prepared to work if needed and charge triple time

[Natalierose]

Thanks for the replies. I think I would prefer the banks hols off so won't charge.

[Mouse]

I only charge a bank holiday if i am available to work it. I ask all parents to give me 4 weeks notice if they wish to use me on a bank holiday. If they dont then i charge them normal fee for that day, however if they do they are charged double time. If a bank holiday falls within one of my weeks then i do not charge as i am not available. Hope this helps.

That's what I do.

If I am willing to work a bank holiday I ask parents to let me know 4 weeks in advance if the child will be coming. If they do come I charge double fee. If they don't come I charge normal fee and view it as the child's time off.

If I am not willing to work a bank holiday (christmas, new year & easter) I take it as my holiday, so there is no charge.

Over my many years of childminding I have only ever been asked to work 3 bank holidays.

[ziggy]

I've never worked or charged for bank holidays, then last easter mummy had new baby so i had older brothers good friday and easter monday, charged normal rate. Same parent then complained about paying retainer for summer holidays.

So now i have returned to not working or charging for bank holidays, think it's good to have a rest but as mentioned all childminders do things differently

[rickysmiths]

Thanks for the replies. I think I would prefer the banks hols off so won't charge.

I have been doing the same as Chatterbox Childcare for 19 years and I have only ever been asked to work one BH.

[miffy]

I charge for BH that fall on a contracted day unless I am off on holiday myself. I don't work them. Never had a problem from parents over this.

Miffy xx

[Daftbat]

I don't think that anyone should make a charge for something that they are not prepared to work.

A new parent who is starting with me was amazed that I didn't charge as previous minder does.

Before anyone tells me that parents get bank holidays paid to them as part of their annual leave contracts I would just say this. .... Yes its part of their overall package as an incentive/bonus from their employer. We are self employed and I think its ripping parents off to get something for nothing.

Sorry, I know I may upset some people..... its not really my intention to just my opinion.

[charlottenash]

I work them as normal, however book them off like a normal holiday if necessary. Basically for me its a normal day, but I usually book them off and none of my current parents work them.

[Daisy De]

Don't want to work them, so don't charge, I struggle to justify to parents why I would charge for a service I am not prepared to offer. If you are prepared to work then that's a different matter.

My philosophy is if I'm open you pay, if I'm closed you don't, makes life so much simpler

[winstonian]

I charge for BH that fall on a contracted day unless I am off on holiday myself. I don't work them. Never had a problem from parents over this.

Miffy xx

I do the same. As I employ assistants I still have to pay them. I've never had a parent query it, I've even got 1 little one who only comes Mondays so I triple checked with them and they said I am worth it
it is individual choice isnt it and as long as its fully explained before signing contracts it should all be fine

[v 1461]

yes, bank holidays full price if on a working day ( but I don't work.)

[lesley85]

Yes I charge for bank holidays, never been queried by my parents or never been asked to work it. Although I don't charge for my holidays or sickness.