unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)
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  1. #1
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    Default unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    hello,

    i am not getting paid for my holidays or bank holidays. this year i want to take time off over christmas and have asked parents if two weeks are managable for them as i don't want to leave them in a pickle. they replied that they are taking quite a lot of time off themselves and that it is no problem. last year they sent lo any way when they were off, therefore i am missing out on them paying me, aren't i? it is going to be a who ever gives notice about their hol's first loses out. IYKWIM

    is it too late to change my policy in bankholidays and change it so that i get paid ?


    thank you,

    mrs.h

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    Hi,

    Yes I too have to play the waiting game as you will find most parents will take some holiday off over christmas and you will lose out - so I just wait it out and hope for the best. Unless you really need to have the time off, I would sit back and wait for them to tell you their holiday dates.

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    But seeing as they sent lo last year I wouldnt count on them giving you their dates.

    As you have already spoken to them I would just tell them the holidays you were having.

    It never bothers me if the parent wants to conincide.
    When someone tells you nothing is impossible, tell them to go slam a revolving door

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    I dont charge for my time off holidays etc

    I do however charge for when the mindees are off weather this be sickness or holidays as im still available to work !!!

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    I used to hate this - so I now close between xmas and new year and charge half fees for contracted days

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    Quote Originally Posted by mrs.h View Post
    hello,

    i am not getting paid for my holidays or bank holidays. this year i want to take time off over christmas and have asked parents if two weeks are managable for them as i don't want to leave them in a pickle. they replied that they are taking quite a lot of time off themselves and that it is no problem. last year they sent lo any way when they were off, therefore i am missing out on them paying me, aren't i? it is going to be a who ever gives notice about their hol's first loses out. IYKWIM

    is it too late to change my policy in bankholidays and change it so that i get paid ?


    thank you,

    mrs.h

    hon, I think it would be hard to bring in paid holiday for yourself with parents who signed a contract based on the fact that you don't. It seems like they would send their children if you were working anyway, regardless of who gave notice of the holiday first. I know it's annoying but take your time off and enjoy it

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    I put in a form with a calendar in mid Nov and ask them to mark the days i am needed. I ask for it to be returned by the end of the week.

    But i get paid for all BH even if it is in the middle of an unpaid holiday, if you get my drift.
    we dont stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    Christmas is the one time of year I want the holiday time off so I don't charge (not even the BH's) and just enjoy my time with my family.

    I don't think you can change the contracts just so you get paid over Christmas but bear it in mind when you review them and do it then

    Miffy xx
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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    one of my mums works in retail so xmas is her busiest time. her hubby is a sky tv fitter and apparently there is always a rush on before the big day. She has asked me if i am open all xmas..except the Bhs..and i am...my kids are grown up. Dont know if DD1 will come up for xmas and my OH only gets the Bhs off.

    I know one of my mindees will probably be off as her mum takes time off during school hols. I will be left with my under 4s....i cant think of anything better really

    mandy xxx
    The bats have left the bell tower.....

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    When I send my November invoices out I put a note in the email asking whether my services are required over the Christmas period

    Some come back and say no - I get paid and some say yes and then I choose whether to work, take holiday from them or get another childminder to have them
    Debbie

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    This will be my first Christmas as a childminder. I like the sound of Debbies method- ask the parents if they are likely to need me and if they say no that is their choice so they still pay me. If they say yes I either work it or tell them I'm taking it as unpaid holiday. All my parents pay equal monthly payments including pay for all bank holidays so that's already covered.

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    hmmm

    I have already spoken to 1 mindees parents who will need me as dad works in care and mum at the doc's so she will be working xmas eve and i will only have mindee until 4.30 not too bad

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    I played the waiting game one year and gambled on working and wished i hadnt,, ever since I give my christmas holiday dates around september october time,, usualy i also tell the parents on first meeting that i shut from chrismtas eve to the day they go back to school as i know i wont want to work over christmas.

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    I've played russian roulette with the christmas hols before, but last year I caved and just booked the time off - day before xmas eve, xmas eve and the week between xmas and new year. It was lovely! So, I'm booking this year off and blow the money!

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    I take two blissful weeks off at Christmas and charge my parents half fees as I have found that all of them take time off and it's really not worth my while opening for 1 or 2 children. I take my other two weeks off in the summer and they pay half fees then too.However, parents are given all my holiday dates for the year each January so they can book the same time off if they wish. It's worked for 13 years so far

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    I take 5 weeks unpaid leave a year. 3 of my families are term time only and only 1 pays a retainer. 2 Families I have all year except my 5 weeks. I would prefer having no children during the holidays as my 3 prefer this (ages 12,10 and 7) However I have just told them that because I work the holidays we can now afford to do more things and have better holidays away. My feelings are that if I want the extra money then i need to work during the holidays.
    This has made me wonder if most childminders charge a holiday retainer??

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    I have already given Christmas dates, giving parents plenty of notice. The first year i started childminding i just expected the parents not bring the children over the christmas week and then ended up with two days off!! never again!! i would rather have peace of mind that i can have a good relaxing family christmas, even though its unpaid

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    thank you so much for your answers. it is interesting to read all your different ways of doing and dealing with things.

    i really like debbie's way of doing it. but i also like the idea of just taking two weeks off and forget about the money. however, one family has had one paid week off this year and sent the lo when they are off too i just want them to walk all over me this time, time to get tough and rethink my terms and conditions

    mrs.h
    Last edited by mrs.h; 18-09-2010 at 08:11 PM.

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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    I dont charge for hols.

    When I first registered, I continued to work through the hols, on the basis that I would just be quieter.

    However, having a small child, I resented getting up for 2 children. I had to move all ds's C'mas pressies as they were getting broken and I felt the holiday season was ruined.

    I now, close, expect no pay for 1/2 weeks, but know I will have the time off. It is important for my children to have some time at home, with their presents and know that noone will be wanting them to share them.

    Its easier to know where you stand from the off.

    However, if you dont have young children, it would be different!

    Rachel x

  20. #20
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    Default Re: unpaid holiday - what if parents are off at the same time (christmas)

    I close for 2 weeks over christmas. I used to offer to work, but usually ended up with only one child the odd day, and then as said had to make sure all my kids presents were out of the way, they couldn't get things out if it has small pieces etc etc. so even tho mine are now 19 and 18, I still don't work over Christmas, its just nice not to have to worry about lo's pulling the tree over etc.

 

 
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