Fed up with parents whingeing about charges

**melanieabigail2004** · 24-02-2009, 06:21 PM

I have two sets of parents that are school teachers - neither want pay school holidays - not optional I am afraid - exactly why should I earn no money whilst they have 6 weeks off paid????

What does everyone else charge??? Do you give your parents holidays and then charge over an above.

Ta

Mel

**Daftbat** · 24-02-2009, 06:26 PM

I do have some parents who have term time only contracts. I also have parents with holiday only contracts too so it works out ok for me. I did it in the beginning to try and be flexible but only you know what is going to be best financially for you.

**rickysmiths** · 24-02-2009, 06:36 PM

My dh is a teacher and when we needed to use childcare 16yrs ago for our dd we though (haha) that him being at home in the holidays would save us a fortune!!

In 1993 we had to pay the childminder 1/2 fee in the holidays and it was bumped up to full fee for the days we used her.

We still are in touch with her to this day and my dh is currently teaching her grandson! she gave up minding many years ago.

I after 14yrs of childminding have always charged 1/2 fee through the holidays for teachers and parents of children who don't come to me in the holidays.

**Chatterbox Childcare** · 24-02-2009, 06:43 PM

I have been minding for 15 years so my circumstances are different to anyone just starting out.

I have children on holiday contracts that have been with me since they were weeks old who are now at school and school teachers on a term time only contract.

I think you have to judge what is best for you and if the teachers find someone else then you would have to start again.

**Twinkles** · 24-02-2009, 06:49 PM

I work for a lot of teachers - always have done. Over the years I've only had one set of parents complain about having to pay half in the holidays and they moaned about all aspects of money

**Mrs M** · 24-02-2009, 06:53 PM

I think I am mean. They are allowed six weeks at half pay, the rest at full! Only time they get a freebie is when I'm off. It's only family I work for where dad is a teacher and they weren't really impressed as they thought they could have 13 weeks free! No, sorry, like you say, we need to earn the money.

**sammy** · 24-02-2009, 07:09 PM

i dont charge for holidays, but wish i did, when i first started minding all i had were term time enquiries, so i took them on, but one is for 2 mornings a week, one is for 1 afternoon a week and the other 2 i just pick up and take straight home from school, so as its very part time- i dont see as i could charge in holidays.

But if i had of done things differently i would charge.

**hectors house** · 24-02-2009, 07:20 PM

When *****minded first time round - 16+ years ago, I charged the teachers a quarter fee, as I sometimes had older children (my own children's friends) to mind in the holidays - one teacher (i looked after both her kids) just accepted she had to pay me - even paid when I was on holiday as I explained to her I was paying extra for my holidays so I didn't let her down in term time -

she even paid me when I was on maternity leave - I planned my baby as close as I could get to summer holidays - managed 18th July and had the six weeks off and started again in the Sept,

Now I charge half fee but give the option to still send the children half time - so if they normally come 4 days - they pay for 2 and come for that 2 - I know on the NCMA contracts I could still charge half for the other days they didn't come - but I like having them as not all of the mindees are teachers kids and they miss having their friends around - also don't have to settle them back in again after a long holiday.

If Im on holiday nobody pays me.

Didn't manage to get a day off over half term and I'm

**maple** · 24-02-2009, 08:59 PM

I have been minding for just over a year now and all my children are part time and all school term time only. For the after schoolies I don't charge them in the holidays but for all the others that come during the day I charge half fess. I did have one parent complain at first saying that the nurseries in the area wouldn't charge in the holidays. I did a bit of ringing around all the nurseries in my local area including the one she mentioned and they all do charge half fees, so in the end she agreed to pay it.

**Shar** · 24-02-2009, 09:05 PM

I do not charge the three sets of parents that are term time only in the school holidays. This works for me as I enjoy taking the others out to more grown up places. Also the school holiday children's parents pay more in the holidays so it swings in roundabouts. Works out about the same and it works for me. Do whatever works for you.

**mrs c** · 24-02-2009, 09:20 PM

I have a few parents who are teachers and I charge half pay for the holidays. I've never had any complaints - most cms in this area do the same - the only one I know who did not charge half pay wished she had done.

**berkschick** · 24-02-2009, 09:35 PM

I charge 50% too in the holidays for term time only contracts

**beerheaven** · 24-02-2009, 11:06 PM

I have one family who have term time only contract. I don't charge during hols because I like having just the older ones so easier to do day trips.

**claireLouise** · 24-02-2009, 11:24 PM

I charge full fees in the holidays except when I am on holiday and these weeks are free.

I have recently lost one of my mindees because the parent only wanted to pay for the hours she was with me. As I am replacing a fuill time income this was not financially viable.

Claire

**singlewiththree** · 25-02-2009, 07:20 AM

I've only charged term time only because I don't want to earn too much money as I'm getting financial help with my degree plus I too don't want little ones in the holidays as mine are getting older so we can do older things.

**Mollymop** · 25-02-2009, 07:23 AM

I charge half fees for term time only kiddies, after all I would lose out on a lot of money in the 6 weeks hols. x

**angeldelight** · 25-02-2009, 07:35 AM

I have teachers and I dont charge but that is only because I have other children in the holidays that more than cover the fees I would lose

If I didnt have the other children I would charge and ignore parents moaning ha

Angel xx

**huggableshelly** · 25-02-2009, 07:49 AM

I charge term time only children for term time only weeks, if they want a holiday place they pay for the hours they need only.

I also have 2 fulltime holiday chidlren who only come for an hour a day before school and all day in the hols so my money evens out.

Like others have said you must do what suits your financial situation, if the teachers are not happy then its their problem really not yours, dont back down if you have already placed rules there, as soon as you back down with one issue they will expect you to back down with more, and also teachers get paid for the hols so shouldnt be a big deal.

**mabel** · 25-02-2009, 09:40 AM

I mind for two teachers, who don't pay holidays at all
hence I bump up their weekly charge!

I do feel the pinch during the holidays though

**margaret** · 25-02-2009, 09:50 AM

i mind for teachers and they pay a higher hourly rate which covers holidays,end up actually paying the same once its worked out but they seem to prefer this.