Childminding

[Paulsy]

Hi all,
I have just started a new job finally after being on Jobseekers. Its in a new shop on a 16hour contract as I am a single parent so need working tax credits. I have nobody to look after my 8 year old daughter so have found a childminder close to me. We went to meet her and she seems really nice and is starting looking after her this week. She has given me a folder and contract to take home to read and sign so this is where my question (finally!) begins.
If anyone uses or is a childminder I would appreciate if they could tell me if these terms are usual.
Do all of them specify these terms:

•30 days holidays per year paid at half pay.
•full fees for sick/absent child
•full fees for parents/childrens holidays
•full fees for bank holidays
•full fees for childminders first 3 days sick
•£5 for every half hour late.

So I am thinking if I cannot get holidays at the same time I pay her plus whoever I can get to cover, same as if she is sick?

I have never had to use a childminder before so was just wondering if they all operate to these terms. I think I have been a bit naive in thinking you just paid for the hours your child was in their care.

Thanks

[cathfromsaron]

is there an after school club with a holiday club near you?

we prefer not to rely on one person.

child tax credit (childcare) will pay something towards it with your usual child tax payment and you just settle the bill, no retainers etc.

[penelope2]

My partner is a childminder:-
NO paid holidays for childminder.
Full fees for sick/absent child.
Full fees for parents/children holidays.
Bank holidays fees ONLY if they occur on a childminding day.
NO fees for childminders first 3 days sick.
NO charge for lateness (if it is unavoidable).

Hope that is of some help.

[Paulsy]

No cath, there used to be an after school club but it closed due to lack of business basically. I live in a village so there's not much choice. I know I can claim back 70%, I'm going to call the tax credits office tomorrow. I can find help occasionally but need the childminder for a lot of the time

[cathfromsaron]

try another then person x

[Paulsy]

Thanks Penelope, I thought some of it sounded a bit unfair but I've had no experience of using one. I might have to question her on it, just wanted to ask on here if it was the norm so to speak before querying it

[bednobs]

well done for getting a job :) i personally am putting my child in nursery because if one person is sick, it matters less. It seems a bit sad to me that because you are only working 16 hours a week your employer can't make it in school hours - then you wouldn't have all this trouble and worry.

[bednobs]

also, if you've already started, who's looking after her atm? couldn't you carry on with that arrangement?

[Paulsy]

Thanks bednobs, it has taken a long time to find but causing me stress already! The thing is I don't know the exact hours/times as yet. I done that thing we do and put down as many hours as possible to maximise my chances of getting it so I said I'm available 9-6 weekdays. It would be perfect if I could get mornings/weekends but don't want to ask that before I'm in and settled, don't want to appear difficult

[Paulsy]

My mum was off work sick, she works full time though 6 sometimes 7 days

[bednobs]

gotcha!
I was thinking that childminders often have waiting lists, so you might not have a choice but to accept her (rather ridiculous IMO) terms

[bednobs]

ps, you might fond out that you can get favourable shifts (no harm n asking) and no need for childminder at all

[Paulsy]

No, she hasn't got any other kids to look after at the moment, only her own. It might be the case that I only need her a couple of afternoons after school per week. I will have to query it though. Thanks for all your answers though, I wondered if it was just me thinking it was a bit much terms wise

[penelope2]

Another point, double check that she is 'Ofsted' registered.

[belrec]

I have a brilliant child minder with similar fee stuff:

holidays as and when but she always gives me a months notice, and doesnt charge
full fees for absent, sick child and our hols
she doesnt charge for when she is of sick, but she hasnt had a day off in the three years i have known her.
half an hour late thing i dont know.

I think you'll find that even though it seems steep you will hardly notice the extras.

I took mine out of nursery as they were not giving good enough care and had some very disturbing problems with them, i found nurseries too commercial, but each to their own :-)

I would look into a back up plan tho just in case.

[Paulsy]

Thanks belrec, she also doesn't do half hours so gets rounded up. My daughter is so well behaved and quiet, she doesn't really need much care, just minded for a bit after school and during hols. It just seemed a large part of the contract was all about fees and holidays. I really wanted to get back to work but its not easy as many parents know :(

[Kassee]

I would definately shop around for a childminder. If you find a good one they are worth their weight in gold. But you dont want too many rules and regulations to contend with.

[Lloyd P.....]

Why not become a child minder yourself? It does take a fair bit of training (you have to pass exams and be registered) but may well pay more than working for an employer - and you can spend more daylight time with your own child.

[Kassee]

But its not a job to do unless you like children and like working with them. Your own child is different - every mother loves her own child. But working with other people's children is not everyone's cup of tea !

[Paulsy]

Ha you're right there kassee, I personally couldn't do it even for £20 an hour, I'm not the right kinda person plus would miss the interaction with other adults too. I totally respect that most of them do a great job for not a great wage, but at the sane time parents don't want to be bled dry and bogged under with unfair terms