Taking Mat Leave

[DMof2]

I also always do a yearly contract since this business can be a learning experience so my parents always know to expect an updated contract in January. Its not always major changes just things added like my policies with sick children, holiday pay, expected time off in the year, etc. Plus it makes my parents actually read my contract and policy because some parents seem to forget over time whats in it :S

[Lee-Bee]

Personally I would be annoyed if my 30+ week pregnant care giver changed the contract to add mat leave pay. If you want paid weeks off add it as weeks of paid vacation and let them know you will use that when the baby arrives and not later in the year. Still might annoy them but it isn't quite as obvious that you want paid mat leave as an after thought!

I agree with the above, be careful. You run the risk of losing families to gain 2 weeks of paid time off. In the long run you might be at a bigger loss. Also should a family decide to walk because of the paid time off you might find it harder to fill a spot if you have a newborn.

That said...you may still lose families when baby arrives. They might have lined up care to start when you take your 2 weeks and they just haven't told you yet as it is too far away. So I would be prepared and have plans in place should that happen so you are not scrambling completely unaware when baby is born.

Not trying to be negative but if my child's caregiver was pregnant odds are we would line up care and give notice and switch when it best worked for the new caregiver. As much as I would love to be supportive and caring to the old caregiver who is about to give birth I would be looking out for my family and my child and making a switch where huge changes aren't taking place. As a pregnant home caregiver we need to be ready and almost expect that at least some families will do this with as little notice as possible (as per your contract).