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Original poster

Term time only retainer?

35 replies

JoeyBettany · 28/10/2009 18:36

I've just visited a childminder to see what she was like for my 9 month old dd and she mentioned that she charges a holiday retainer fee (half normal hourly rate) for those who only need her for term times only, which applies to me as I only work in term time.

She says this is normal practice for childminders. Is it?

Very grateful for any replies.

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henryhuggins · 28/10/2009 19:28

i'm a teacher and i don't pay my childminder a retainer during school holidays.

pointyhat · 28/10/2009 19:26

I'm sure the NCMA would recommend it. Doesn't stop many people finding it a little unfair.

Katymac · 28/10/2009 19:22

I don't charge a retainer in the holidays I charge full, & I often have TTO children.

CarGirl · 28/10/2009 19:17

I think term time only retainers will be recommended by the NCMA, they also recommend that CM have x amount of paid holidays per year. It is worth looking at whether the CM charge for their holidays, bank holidays or whether they have a slightly higher hourly rate and take unpaid holidays & unpaid bank holidays btw.

CarGirl · 28/10/2009 19:12

But it is the parents choice not to use them in the holidays, they are still available for work?

TBH I would consider still using the CM during the holidays even if you reduce it to fewer days. Especially in the summer otherwise this carer will effectively be disappearing in and out of your dds life.

Your other option is to end your contract with the CM at the begining of the holidays and find a new CM after the hols IYSWIM.

Would you expect a nursery to hold a space for you if you didn't pay for it?

A good childminder can be very difficult to find, if you find one then it can be worth paying more for them IMO as a parent.

pointyhat · 28/10/2009 19:08

It's supply and demand, I suppose.

Quite a few people don't earn in the holidays but it's possible to spread pay over the whole year and pay in eqaul monthly sums.

Is it fair to take money for nothing? I don't think so but I suppose if people can get away with it they will.

CarGirl · 28/10/2009 19:05

It's standard practice around where I live. I think it depends on whether the childminder has lots of extras in the school holidays, not all do so they would rather have a year around child than a term time only one IYSWIM

If you don't pay them a retainer they are not earning at all for 6 weeks in the summer but you expect them to keep the place for you?

pointyhat · 28/10/2009 19:05

Are there other cms you can ask?

Original poster
JoeyBettany · 28/10/2009 19:00

Thanks, I thought it seemed a bit greedy as I'm not being paid in the holidays!

OP posts:
pointyhat · 28/10/2009 18:44

Most childmionders round here don't charge at all for holidays as it suits them to have fewer kids then too.

I think you should shop around - if possible - and try to find a cm who doesn't charge. Part-timers aren't charged the full time rate so why should people who aren't at work in the holidays be charged for them?

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