Asking childminder to do pre-school pick-up, not drop-off - is it standard to be charged for the pre-school hours?

[IHeartKingThistle]

Hi,

only asking as I have never used a childminder before, so I may just be being stupid. We're moving to a new area and I have a new job - I've been very careful to arrange my hours so that I can take dd to pre-school myself every morning (because I want to, but also because I thought it would save money!). But I've been warned by a local childminder that I may be asked to pay for the morning, or be charged in some way, even if I do the drop-off myself. I totally understand why childminders often charge for the pre-school hours when they do the drop-off AND the pick-up, but is this reasonable? Feel free to shout at me if I'm wrong, I really am new at this!

Thanks!

Would you be needing the childminder in the school holidays? If so then I'm afraid I'd charge you as I wouldn't be able to fill those few hours in the morning.

Correction, I wouldn't be able to fill those few hours just term time only.

Sorry should have said I won't need a childminder in the holidays as I'm a teacher. Do you think that would make a difference?
Thanks for the help!

I don't charge when the parent drops off because I could reasonably use that time for another child. Unless the pre-school finishes well before lunch in which case I'd find it very hard to fill the space.

If the childminder isn't dropping your child off should it matter where she is? There are lots of reasons for a parent to need part days and I wouldn't expect them to pay for the rest of the day for any other reason so why because they are at pre-school?

It might, they may charge you a retainer for the holidays. I look after a teachers child and personally don't charge a retainer, as I can then fill the space with holiday cover children, whereas I would have to keep the place open for the child if I did charge. Arrangement suits both me and the parents.I also only charge for full pre-school session if I have dropped off too, but all cms have their own fee structure.

Most cms I know charge half fee for holidays, even if you aren't using the space - they are obviously more astute when it comes to business than me!

Good luck!

Forgot to say that I would however charge if you wanted the space kept free for you to use in the holidays.

It will probably also depend on who is the 'contact' at the pre-school.
If you drop your DD of at pre-school then go to work but DD is ill or hurt shortly after will CM be contacted or would you leave work?

That all makes so much sense, I think I'd want to be the first contact anyway. Can totally see why childminder would have to charge if they might have to charge off and pick up poorly child at short notice.

Wow I genuinely never realised how complex this all is! I'm so glad I asked!

If not needed in the holidays then it would depend on how early I needed to collect your child. My part timers tend to be 8-1 and 1-6 so if, for example, your child needed the same as my current pre-school pickup, I'd have to charge as I need to leave my house at 11.45 and just couldn't fill the hours before that.

Anyway, best thing to do is ask around locally and see what they say as we're all different.

Good luck

I am also a teacher. DD1 goes to pre-school for 2 full days per week. I only pay our (wonderful) CM for the actual time DD1 is with CM. I am the first contact if pre-school needs to send DD1 home. CM would be unable to take her if ill as she has other mindees and also fills the day time space with other mindees who arrive after the morning school run and leave before the afternoon school run.

It might be different if you pre-school sessions are not full days.

I also pay a 50% retainer for the school holidays, but the annual bill is sorted so we pay the same amount each month, regardless of whether the children actually go to CM (have another DD there full-time too.)

Good luck in your new job