Holidays

[natalieatk]

What does everyone do for holidays?

I started off offering 4 weeks half fees for child and 4 weeks no fees for me

One child came from another childminder and wanted to keep the same arrangement - 2 weeks free for her - 2 weeks paid for me! Which I was fine with!

Just curios if anyone offers different??

[Tealady]

But does that mean she thinks you can then only take two weeks a year off? Or do you have extra unpaid holiday in your contract?

[phoenix2010]

I have about 6 weeks unpaid per year

and parents can take 2 to 3 weeks per year free , at my discretion

[natalieatk]

But does that mean she thinks you can then only take two weeks a year off? Or do you have extra unpaid holiday in your contract?

I get 2 weeks paid I can take others unpaid x

[lor]

I take 4 weeks a year at half fee and charge full fee for anytime time taken by parents
but I know many childminders in my area take 4 weeks off at full fee and charge full fee for anytime taken by parents
so I suppose you have to do what you feel comfortable with

hth xx

[shortstuff]

If im open i charge full fees. If im closed i dont charge. I apply this to everything, holidays sickness and appointments. Hth

[adedwards68]

I'm the same if I am providing my business and mindee can not attend for whatever reason they pay full and if I can't provide my business they pay nothing
My husband is also self employed, if he doesn't work he doesn't get paid

[Kiddleywinks]

Four weeks unpaid for me, parent pay full fees if they take their holidays whilst I am open.

[MiniKins]

Structure your charges that take into account the inevitability that sometimes a child is absent, and make it fair for both sides.

If we are unable to offer childcare (our holidays or sickness for example) we do not charge, if a contracted child does not attend, we charge half fee.

[julie w]

I read a lot that with being self employed people dont think we should charge as other people that are self employed dont get paid when they dont work. However although we are self employed, we do have contracts with parents, most of which are long term. This in itself makes us very different to other self employed people who do jobs for many different people, most of which is very short term. Just thought I'd say. In the long term its up to us individually what we do, as long as parents understand when they sign the contract.

[muffins]

I am closed between christmas & new for which I dont charge and also take 4wks unpaid during the year. Parents pay full if away during term time but half if away during school holidays for which I require 4wks notice.

[adedwards68]

I read a lot that with being self employed people dont think we should charge as other people that are self employed dont get paid when they dont work. However although we are self employed, we do have contracts with parents, most of which are long term. This in itself makes us very different to other self employed people who do jobs for many different people, most of which is very short term. Just thought I'd say. In the long term its up to us individually what we do, as long as parents understand when they sign the contract.

Yes it is up to the individual, but some parents can't afford to pay out twice for childcare. If I am paying for a service I expect to get that service.
As you said as long as the parents are happy then that's fine. It's your business and you make the rules

[phoenix2010]

Yes it is up to the individual, but some parents can't afford to pay out twice for childcare. If I am paying for a service I expect to get that service.
As you said as long as the parents are happy then that's fine. It's your business and you make the rules

If you are paying for a service then you expect to get that service , within the contracted terms

Parents sign a contract and agree to terms clearly set out , if they dont like the terms they dont sign

I tell parents all my holidays in Jan for the whole year , most parents book the same weeks as me , you cant have parents saying they dont need you here there and everywhere and expecting not to pay you while they go off on holidays
there has to be a limit

[adedwards68]

I agree, basically as you have said you tell them your holiday dates and if they then decide to go away at the same time then at least they're not looking for alternative care
Parents can take as much time off as they want, prefer to have a bit of notice for planning, but as long as they still pay that fine with me

[Tinkerbell1979]

I take 4 weeks unpaid

Full pay for parent/child holiday if not taking in my holiday

[natalieatk]

Thanks all!

Iv have my parents choices so they can't moan!
2 weeks for them half fee - 2 weeks for me half fee

2 weeks for them full fee - 2 weeks for me no fee

2 weeks for them no fee - 2 weeks for me full fee!

4 week notice,
All fees outisde these 2 weeks full fee

Bank hols free and I will take other days unpaid with notice.
Can't argue with that!

[step11]

Both side 4weeks holiday, full fee for them, half fee if I'm off. They get paid to go on annual leave why can't I. They have the choice to take same time as me off if they wish.

[Chatterbox Childcare]

I take 2 weeks paid per year and the parents can take as much paid time off as they like

[step11]

It's one of those things your business your rules. If I take more than 4 weeks then I don't charge. I do my best to find another childminder whenever I'm not available.

[Jelly Baby]

Its very hard deciding whats right but its your business and you do what suits you i guess.

I charge half for mine and the same for theirs..however my parents tend to take a LOT of holiday. One family who just take more chnaged what they were willing to pay me a while back. I politely showed them (as highlight in my diary) their 8 weeks holiday and my 20 odd days off. The others are ok BUT have started realising that i get paid more in the hols so they will take that time off! I 'should' say it's 4 weeks for both parties at half fee and anything else over is full for them and half for me..does anyone else do this?