Jaw dropping moment - holiday fees.
Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Dislikes Dislikes:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 29
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Here
    Posts
    469
    Registered Childminder since
    June 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Good
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Jaw dropping moment - holiday fees.

    I had a parent ask me if I'd consider not charging them if she takes a month off to go on holiday (I charge full price when they are off and nothing when we're off). I nearly choked. She'd be still getting tax credits. Is this legal?
    I didn't really know what to say. She said she can't take time off to go when I do as it is more expensive.
    She said nurseries do it if they get enough notice because they can shift the staff somewhere else. Do they really?
    She'd actually 'threatened' me with a nursery. I'm starting to feel like giving the notice myself.
    Any thoughts?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Northern Ireland
    Posts
    804
    Registered Childminder since
    sept 07
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    she knew when she signed up that you charged over their holidays so stick with this... but i do love a parent who tries it on makes me laugh

    im hard up for entertainment i suppose
    Tess1981

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Peterborough
    Posts
    3,104
    Registered Childminder since
    July 08
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    No offence to this mum but if she can afford to take a month long holiday then she can afford to go on a standard 7-14 ay holiday when you do!what a blooming cheek
    Blessed Be!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Bolton
    Posts
    802
    Registered Childminder since
    June86
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Good
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Wow, I thought I had heard it all. Why does she want to take a month off ?
    What a cheek especially as she is getting tax credits.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    West Midlands
    Posts
    834
    Registered Childminder since
    Oct, 87
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Good
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Nurseries DO charge parents when they are on holiday (think parent is trying to pull the wool over your eyes).
    A lot of childminders charge parents when they have holidays, so parent should think themselves lucky you dont charge.
    I would stick by your contract and state full pay, no discount.

    Carol

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    In my own little world
    Posts
    1,022
    Registered Childminder since
    apr 02
    Latest Inspection Grade
    'good'
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I would say that I hadn't heard of a nursery doing this!

    I would tell her that the other way she could do it is pay extra in advance to cover so that she doesn't actually have to pay that month.

    If she wants to send lil one to a nursery of course that's her choice and that's fine and not to forget you require a months notice in writing.

    Don't be blackmailed

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Surrounded by pesky Smurfs
    Posts
    4,551
    Registered Childminder since
    Ex CM
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Non childminder member
    01/01/09
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    What kind of job does she have where she could even take a month off!
    I remember years ago when I worked in a office job. A long standing employee of 25yrs had the chance to go around the world for 6 weeks and they told her that she could only have 3 weeks and she she didn't like it she could resign.

    She resigned and I don't blame her either
    Need a laugh? Visit my website: www.unclegargy.deviantART.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Surrey
    Posts
    12,122
    Registered Childminder since
    Nov 04
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Good
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    even if she found a nursery that would do it - their fees month by month would be much higher. tell her to take a hike - professionally of course
    if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    276
    Registered Childminder since
    Oct 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Good :-)
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    It's the parental leave, if same as my parents, I have one set who takes every year in August, but no more now as child is over 5. Parents can do this but it's unpaid, you can do it each yr till chil is 5.

    I knew a year in advance, and averaged my payments anyway.
    Weightloss -2lbs (14lb to go)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    1
    Registered Childminder since
    may,01
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by pinkbutterfly View Post
    I had a parent ask me if I'd consider not charging them if she takes a month off to go on holiday (I charge full price when they are off and nothing when we're off). I nearly choked. She'd be still getting tax credits. Is this legal?
    I didn't really know what to say. She said she can't take time off to go when I do as it is more expensive.
    She said nurseries do it if they get enough notice because they can shift the staff somewhere else. Do they really?
    She'd actually 'threatened' me with a nursery. I'm starting to feel like giving the notice myself.
    Any thoughts?
    tell her to go to the nursery,,,some parents will try anything,,you have got to be strict,,it is a business not a charity

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    1,983
    Registered Childminder since
    Sept 11
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    If they take a holiday I charge the amount they get for me from tax credit
    70% single parent, 50% couple. In the contract these people have 100% fee the whole year round but I don't charge their contribution if they are on holiday,
    'It's never too late to have a happy childhood' ( Tom Robinson)

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Essex
    Posts
    1,873
    Registered Childminder since
    June 11
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    If she has threatened you with a nursery if you don't meet her demands I would call her bluff!

    I would talk to her then hand her a letter saying

    Dear X

    As I am unable to meet your holiday payment requirements, as discussed I accept your 4 weeks notice of termination so you may put Y in to a nursery. The last day of care will be XX/XX/XXXX

    Kind regards


    If she questions the letter look dumb struck and say "Oh sorry I thought you said if I didn't, not charge you, then you were going to take Y to a nursery... was I mistaken?

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    in Mr Darcy's arms
    Posts
    1,576
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    And how does she suppose you pay your mortgage and bills if you never charged when parents had all their holidays??? They just don't THINK. Be firm with her. She knew this when she signed up.
    Jen

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    In LaLa Land
    Posts
    3,598
    Registered Childminder since
    Sept 09
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Good
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by EmmaReed84 View Post
    If she has threatened you with a nursery if you don't meet her demands I would call her bluff!

    I would talk to her then hand her a letter saying

    Dear X

    As I am unable to meet your holiday payment requirements, as discussed I accept your 4 weeks notice of termination so you may put Y in to a nursery. The last day of care will be XX/XX/XXXX

    Kind regards


    If she questions the letter look dumb struck and say "Oh sorry I thought you said if I didn't, not charge you, then you were going to take Y to a nursery... was I mistaken?
    Yes I would do the same. Serve her right for making threats.

    xxx

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    In a world of my own!!!!!!
    Posts
    980
    Registered Childminder since
    2010
    Latest Inspection Grade
    GOOD
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I bet she can only afford to take a months holiday if you don't charge her, I think I will try that with my mortgage, I could afford another 2weeks abroad then.......!!!!
    Jane xxx

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Midlands
    Posts
    589
    Registered Childminder since
    Jan 84
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I had an enquiry very similar this week, parent had been to see me and was told the fees, she then proceeded to tell me that she had seen another childminder who would do it for £20.00 a week less than me and would I like to re-negotiate my rates, erm, no these are my fees, the hours were actually outside my normal working hours but as I needed the money then I was prepared to work these hours for her, I told her to go to the other very inexperienced childminder. I notice that she is still looking on childcare.co.uk, so me thinks she was really trying it on. I might need the money but I am not being held to ransom.
    Teacake2

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    130
    Registered Childminder since
    2010
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    we have a family who actually terminated their contract and signed up again when they came back so they could get a holiday without paying. Its not like they are hard up either, parents are senior professionals in well paid jobs. I think they may try the same this year, we are just trying to plan a way to stop this happening. It's not fair on us or the other families who play by the rules

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Surrounded by pesky Smurfs
    Posts
    4,551
    Registered Childminder since
    Ex CM
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Non childminder member
    01/01/09
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by annsplace View Post
    we have a family who actually terminated their contract and signed up again when they came back so they could get a holiday without paying. Its not like they are hard up either, parents are senior professionals in well paid jobs. I think they may try the same this year, we are just trying to plan a way to stop this happening. It's not fair on us or the other families who play by the rules

    Just don't let them come back
    Need a laugh? Visit my website: www.unclegargy.deviantART.com

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    2,833
    Registered Childminder since
    Apr 05
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ripeberry View Post
    Just don't let them come back
    Thats what I was thinking

    I would say there may not be a place if you want to come back and then would make sure there wasnt

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Surrey
    Posts
    12,122
    Registered Childminder since
    Nov 04
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Good
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bushpig View Post
    And how does she suppose you pay your mortgage and bills if you never charged when parents had all their holidays??? They just don't THINK. Be firm with her. She knew this when she signed up.
    ditto!
    if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got

 

 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Quick Links and Advertisements

Important Information Links
Some Useful Quick Links
Advertisements

 

You can also find us on:
Jaw dropping moment - holiday fees. Jaw dropping moment - holiday fees. Jaw dropping moment - holiday fees.

We use cookies to make this site as useful as possible. They are small text files placed in your browser to track usage of our site but they don’t tell us who you are.
By continuing to use this site you are consenting to cookies being placed on your computer. Find out more here: Cookies in Use

Childminding Help and the Childminding Forum are part of Childcare.co.uk