Paying the childminder/nanny................................................

I followed advice from other childminders and introduced a late payment fee (£5 per child per day) if payment is not made on the agreed day.

No one has forgotten to go to the cashpoint or left their chequebook at home since!

I have to say I don't always pay our childminder on time . We are supposed to pay weekly in advance, but yesterday I wrote her a cheque for the last three weeks. That's the worst ever, though, and she's never had to invoice me.

It's partly because my wages are not high enough to cover her pay, so I often have to ask dp for a cheque. I also often ask for extra hours if my work is piling up. But we decided last night that we would set up a standing order so we know the basic amount is going out of his account, and into hers, regularly. Then if I need any extra hours I shall pay it out of my account.

As a nanny, I get paid monthly in arrears, by standing order, so both I and my employer know when it hits bank accounts. Any additional (the odd pennies due to tax/ni rates changing a bit) are put in with the payslip.

A good friend of mine who is a childminder however does have one parent who is a late payer. Invoices get issues, but excuse after excuse is given for why they can't pay. Strange though, when they are told that no more childminding can take place, the money turns up.

If you are having trouble with an unreliable payer, my advice would be to look elsewhere for the income. Failure to pay, would be breach of contract usually, so you could refuse to provide childcare until debt is settled... then give them notice. If you are a nanny, then it's time to job hunt, you don't want an unreliable employer.

I have always paid nursery and CM on time. Never once been late in 5 years. Now I pay by electronic vouchers which is in effect bank transfer so probably gets money quicker than when I wrote a cheque.

All my parents pay me by standing order at the beginning of the month.

Huh i wish i got paid on time!! One of my parents paid on the dot each week.One of the parents i have had to invoice 3 times before i got the money 2.5 wks late.

One parent i'm in the middle of taking to court over unpaid fees.

Now im on maternity leave and i know i'll get paid on time for my maternity allowance,will make a change.

As a childminder it's the one thing that i bloody hate about this job. The thing i hate even more is when they are late paying and i have to hear about the fab family weekend/piss up at the pub etc,and then oh can you wait till next week for your money as im skint.

Anyway i won't have to worry about it for a few months

As a nanny im ALWAYS paid on time.... as ANY person should be...

it happens by direct debit and some how the person who sorts out paying the people at my bosses company also sorts out MY wages.

As a nanny i ALWAYS expect to be paid on time.... i have a mortgage and bills to pay too, and given how easy direct debits are to set up i think there is NO excuse at all!

Pay in cash each week, in arrears. But the hours vary slightly each week, too.

Pay our childminder by direct debit to allow for weekends. Calculated yearly total and divided equally. Can't understand why anyone would want the faff of cheque writing or getting the cash each month

Always pay our nanny on time - normally early as it is done by bank transfer and we like to leave extra days to allow for weekends/bank hols.

I'm a childminder with 5 mindees and 2 out of the 5 pay on time, others average 2-5 days late. I just accept it now as part of the job!!!

I used to CM and was always paid monthly in advance.