charges for absence

[Pauline]

Just wondered what everyone's thoughts were on charging for absences.

I used to charge full fee for occasional days off, half fee for illness and holidays but found that parents would say the child was ill if they were just planning a day off, so as to get the reduced rate!!

Now I charge:

Full fee for occasional days off such as Grandparents having them or parents off for the day.

Full fee for illness up to three days, then half thereafter

Half fee for annual holidays

no charge for my hols or my illness.

But now I'm wondering whether to say 75% of the fee for their annual holidays as it is such a lot of money to lose, I know we don't have the overheads such as food/heating etc. but it's still not possible to fill their place.

I know some people charge full fee no matter what, perhaps I'm too soft!

Thoughts?

[angela234]

Hi My charges are the same as yours

Full fee illness and days off

Half fees for their holidays these i try to make the same as mine so i get get paid

My holidays if different no charge.

I only have about 2 weeks off a year, 2 of the children i look after are grandchildren and i don't like letting parents down especially family.
I was wondering how much time do other childminders take off?

Angela

[2kidsunder5]

Basically I charge full fee if they are not available and no fee if I am not available. In other words full fee for their illness/holidays/days off and no fee for my illness/holidays/days off.

I don't charge for bank holidays, but now wish that I did because they all seem to come at once - not good for me seeing as I only look after 2 children and I only have them on Fridays and Mondays (Easter was a killer!!!!)

Love Diane x

[angeldelight]

I charge full fees for any days off whatever the reason
I charge full fees if the child is ill
I charge full fees if they go on holiday

I do not charge for bank holidays because I do not work them
I do not charge if I am ill
I do not charge if I am on holiday

So I more or less do the same as Diane

Angel xx

[janet]

I DO EXACTLY THE SAME AS ANGEL XX

[deeb66]

Hi

I do the same as Diane and Angel.

Pauline I think you are maybe a little 'too fair' as you give them reduced rates for their extended time off (sickness and annual holiday) but don't charge anything for your own! I think that as you charge them half fee for their annual holiday you should at least receive the same or if you feel that you can't do that then they pay full fee for their holiday - that way it is fair for all parties.

Dee

[son77]

I charge full fee for child illness, occasional days off, & half fee for hols. No fee for my sickness, hols or bank hols.
This is because I know how I used to feel when my son was in nursey paying for hols etc, I don't need the money so I try to be fair.

[deeb66]

When my son was 6 months old I went back to work and had a childminder. Yes I also found it hard to have to pay for my holidays and sickness when he wasn't with her, but I understood why I had to pay as she couldn't just bring in another child for a short period of time and I didn't think it fair that she should loose out on her income because I took time off.

Now as a minder myself I appreciate this even more as the 'shoe is on the other foot'. Therefore I don't think it is fair that I loose out when I am offering my services and they are not taken up on either because someone is sick or it is their annual holiday - I do not consider it fair that I loose my income. Yes I love the job I do but I do it for an income and cannot afford to loose out.

I also appreciate that I have to be fair and that is why I do not charge for my sickness/holiday as I have effectively withdrawn my services and appreciate that the parent has to either pay for alternative care or take time off themselves.

I do not want to have my cake and eat it I just want us both to enjoy a slice!

Dee

[angeldelight]

I agree with you 100% Dee well said !!

Angel xx

[Pauline]

Thanks everyone, I think I will change things

Thinking about it, I started off doing half fee for illness because in my early days of minding people often didn't get paid if they were off work sick. That has changed now for the majority of people and many get paid for illness time off, so I ought to change with the times!

While on the subject though - what about teacher's children? I've always charged half fee when they don't come in the school holidays, could I really justify charging full fee during the six weeks holiday? Although I suppose they do still get full pay.

[deeb66]

Hi Pauline

Yes teachers do still get paid but I also agree with you that it is really difficult to charge for 6 weeks without doing anything.

A friend of mine used to look after a child whose mother was a teacher. She charged half fee during school holidays and the mum was happy to pay as she had peace of mind that the place was secure for her child. Also mum used to place the child with the minder for a couple of the weeks as she had forward planning/lessons to do so it was only 4 weeks and not 6 that she didn't use the minder.

I used to look after 2 children, the younger child used to be with me 3 full days and the older child was school pick up only. When it came to school holidays mum (she was self employed) used to take time off and look after the children herself - I used to drop the fees for the after school child but still charge for the all day child. I did find it hard to charge her for the 6 weeks holiday as it was effectively money for nothing so I came to an agreement with her. A couple of months before the summer holidays I used to advertise a place for those 6 weeks only, if I managed to fill the space and earn my usual income then I would not charge the other mum but if I couldn't fill the space she would pay me. We were both happy with this agreement and to be honest most of the time I did manage to find parents who needed holiday cover.

Hope this helps

Dee

[jules]

I look after 2 children whose parents are teachers so I don't have them during the holidays. I charge half fee to keep the place secured for them. They have never quibbled over paying for this.

I also look after 2 children (from the same family) 4 days a week during term time (one full time and one before and after school). During school holidays parents take time off and grandparents will have them one day, so I only end up having them twice a week at the most. I still charge full fee for the children if I don't have them as it is the parents choice not to send them to me. If I do care for them I charge the parents for the extra hours for the school aged child. This works very well.

I also charge full fee for their occasional days off, illness, but no fee for my days off through holiday or illness.

[angeldelight]

I also mind for a child whose mom is a teacher

I charge half fees during the 6 weeks but it only works out at about 3 weeks anyway because due to teachers training days and other days / work / planning that she does it ends up that the little girl is here most of the holiday anyway

Like you say it seems a bit cheeky asking for full pay for the whole 6 weeks

Angel x

[Pauline]

Thanks for that everyone.

I need to toughen up a little I think!

I've always charged half fee for teachers and they never complain, perhaps I will leave them as a 'special case' but charge full for everyone else's absences.

[angela234]

I also charge half fees for children of teachers i don't mind not having them in the holidays as i have school age children extra then, so makes it a bit easier and i get paid. not bad!
Angela

[donnam]

Hi my charges are
full fee for occasional days off/ hols
full for bank hols
full for child's sickness
no fee for my sickness
I ALSO CHARGE FULL FEE FOR MY HOLS 4 WEEKS PER YEAR
this is the norm for all minders in my area and never have any complaint.parents get paid hols some get up to 6 weeks we offer a professional service and feel we deserve and need paid hols.
If i had a teachers child and they did not require school hols i charge half fee.
Even ncma says we should consider a charge for our hols.
Some of you really should consider amending your charges as you really deserve it!

[banana]

I charge full fee for any childs absences - sickness, holiday, odd days.

I do not charge for my own time off - holidays, sickness, as the service is not available.

I would like to charge something for my own holiday but to be honest I remember what it was like when i was working and its not nice having to pay twice for childcare as parents are trying to earn a living too an I guess I just feel a bit guilty charging them if im off sunning myself somewhere.

But yes Pauline - I think maybe you should change to charging for when the children are absent as you still need to earn a living. I know one of my parents would take even more time off than she already does if i charged half fee!!!!

[tasha]

Hi,

I charge full fee for any absence. I charge full fee for their holidays, but no fee for my own holidays, days off, or my illness. I have a child who's Mum's a teacher and she pays a 1/2 fee retainer (worked out over a weekly basis) - she had no problem with this as it the place is available if she wants to use it (IN THIS INSTANCE FULL FEE IS PAID) and it keeps her child's place for term time. I DO charge for bank holidays at normal rate if not working and at higher rate if am needed to work.

Hope this helps
Tasha

PS I believe that to be taken seriously a proper fee should be charged - I am quite astounded at what some Childminders hourly rate is - we are expected to provide a high standard of care yet often at less then a babysitter charges - no wonder people think that all we are is glorified babysitters (which as you can tell highly irritates me). The only time a parent has quibbled over price - I have gone through (again) the level of qualifications etc ........... and explained that her child was precious and what would she propose was a reasonable hourly rate for peace of mind? She signed the contract an hour later!!!!! ;D