childcare in holidays payments - Silkysteps early years forum

Tracey1969 · #1 05-29-2009, 10:00 AM

i will be finishing a school run soon for a parent who i look after there 4 children but they still want me for holidays only starting from Sept. i told them they will have to pay a small fee for the places to be kept open as it is 4 children ages 10, 9, 6, and 4. Am i being greedy as i did tell them that i will loose alot of money if i only do holidays only and i could fill there places with children who want me every week. The parents don't want to pay me if i am not having there children in the week but want garrantted places and they said they will give me at least 4 weeks notice if they require me. i told them i don't work like that but unless they don't pay me a small fee in the week i can't garranttee there places. Any suggestions please i have had these children for 12 months now and i thought i had a good relationship with the parents up untill now as they have asked me to do cash in hand (i wont) but i told them this doesn't solve the situation as this is my business.

Ruthierhyme · #2 05-29-2009, 10:57 AM

Hi, you raise some interesting points, have you joined Chilmiding help forum ? they have a huge number of experienced members that work in partnership with parents and may have a few ideas that can help you overcome your problems.

Enjoy Silkysteps.

Tracey1969 · #3 05-29-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruthierhyme

Hi, you raise some interesting points, have you joined Chilmiding help forum ? they have a huge number of experienced members that work in partnership with parents and may have a few ideas that can help you overcome your problems.

Enjoy Silkysteps.

thanks i will copy and paste my question, sorry new to posting my questions

DizzyDora · #4 05-29-2009, 10:29 PM

If they want the place guarenteing they must pay- they can't expect you to only get paid for 12 weeks of the year!

tutu · #5 05-30-2009, 12:19 PM

if they re not willing to pay then dump them, they re players and the relationship you have with them is only good if you play THEIR game. your a business not a charity. find new clients and pay attention to your contract.

janeb · #6 05-30-2009, 02:46 PM

I agree with 2 above - they MUST pay to retain you or you are fully entitled to seek other employment. :soapbox:
Suppose they decided 4 weeks before the summer holidays that they didn't need you! They are really pushing their luck and showing the lack of respect many people have for Early Years practitioners.

carriesmad · #7 06-06-2009, 12:29 PM

I wouldn't hold the place for them unless they paid me, if they decide to go somewhere else they'll probably find most other childminders say the same.

Sue71mac · #8 08-02-2009, 06:37 PM

Have to agree with the other posts. They should be paying a retainer to keep the place open otherwise they will need to look elsewhere.

funfunfun · #9 01-12-2010, 11:54 PM

I have a childminder but i am contracted to term time only !! I dont pay anything when the children are not there . However i do pay a retainer to 1 of my childminders as i use 2 at the moment . The retainer is 50% of what i usually pay and i pay this every time i break up from school half term etc then the 1st week back i pay the other 50 %

Does this make sense ?