Childminding Fees at School Age

[Janto]

Hi

I wonder if any one can advise me on this. My DD has been with her CM 4 days a week since being 3 months old. She will be going to school in September and I would like the childminder to drop off and collect her from school and have her during the school holidays. Can anyone advise how she should be charging for this? She has mentioned in passing a retainer fee, but should she not just be charging for when she has my DD?

There is no "should be charging".

She can charge what she likes and then you decide whether or not to accept.

FWIW My CM charges us her standard hourly rate and only charges for the hours that she actually has DS1, but with a 1 hour minimum (so that we always pay for 1 hour in the morning regardless of what time we drop off).

She also has him in the holidays, and we are contracted for a full days all thought all holidays.

We pay no type of retainer.

All CMs chage differently so really it is up to her.
Personally I would just charge for the hours I had her, I don't charge a retainer for the school day if thats what you mean and I don't know anyone that does although I did read on a thread on here not long ago of someone that did. I only charge a retainer for playschool or if they are term time only then I charge half fee in school hols.

It does seem a bit unreasonable to me TBH but if that is her policy then you nee to talk to her and decide if shes worth paying the extra for. Also worth finding out if that is standard in your area or if its just her.

Yes sorry to clarify I charge for the hours I am contracted to have the child which are the hours the parents and I have agreed on. If they turn up late or don't come I still charge the hours that are in the contract.

I only do holidays for school children now, but what I would do for school children is this:

• I am available 8-6.
• say the school day is 9-3.
• I would charge 8-9 and 3-6, even if the child comes at 8:30 and leaves at 4.
• for school holidays I would charge 8-6.

As muddleduck sayd - this is for you to negotiate with your CM, who may have a different pricing structure.

It also makes a difference if your child is in reception, attending 10 sessions a week (5 x morning + afternoon), or if this is a nursery school place (I would charge the whole day for nursery school).

When a child is at full time school I charge the before/after school sessions they are contracted for (min of 1 hour before school and 2 hours after school). Then usual hourly rate per contracted school holiday hours.

You also have to remember that if you definitely need the space during the holidays she may charge a retainer, otherwise she will take on extra children during term time and may not want to have an extra full-timer during the holidays if she is busy with little ones.

I personally don't charge a retainer for school aged children, but I don't guarantee a space as most of my term time children have older siblings (and taking into account my own 2 children) it can mean up to 10 children in the holidays, I have gone up to 8/9 but then only in extreme circumstances as my house is small and the mix of ages can make it difficult. Luckily most of my parents understand this and we all muddle through swapping days if necessary.

I once charged a 'retainer' for a school aged child (was about 6-7 years ago now) At the time I was £3.25ph and had the lo 8-9 and 3-6, but I spoke to the Mum and charged £20 for the day - so it was either a retainer or an increase in the hourly rate term-time only, depending on which way you look at it.

The reason I charged was down to spaces in my car. I couldn't take on another under 5 when she went to school as school was not within walking distance. I had 2 other under 5's and a 9yo of my own that needed space in the car. Mum was quite happy with this and though I was earning less this way than taking on another under 5, I was happy to continue caring for the little girl I'd looked after from 5 months old