childminder questions - whats normal to pay for?

[hostelgirl74]

Baby due next week but already having to think about a childminder (prefer this to Nursery) as there is no-one living nearby that can help when i finish my maternity leave. I want one for 4 half days. What I was wondering about was what happens with holidays.
If I returned to work Mon - Thurs half days (which is the plan), sometimes there would be occasions where my OH or I are on paid leave or it is a bank holiday in which case I would not need the childcare. In these situations, do you still pay or pay a retainer or something? When I look for a childminder, I just want to know what the norm is.

Depends on the childminder, I charge full for parents hols and nothing for mine but some do 50% for both, if I didn't charge for parent hols I sometimes would have no income for 10 weeks a year if the parents have 5 weeks each. Some won't do half days either as it makes it hard to go out for the day and fill the other half of the day, each childminder is different, just ring a few.

i do charge for half days but per hour it is more expensive than a whole day.

I too charge full price if the child doesn't use their place for any reason (ie holiday, snow or sickness etc) and charge nothing if I am closed

It really does depend on each childminders preferences

I also don't charge for bank hols as I don't want to work them but if I did I would charge normal if not used but double if used.

My CM would charge more ph for 1/2 days than full days
We pay c. £2.00 per day for 3 meals
Supply own nappies
Pay if we are on holiday, not if CM on holiday
She closes from Dec 23rd ish to Jan 2nd ish and then a 2 week summer holiday usually in school holidays
Bank holidays not an issue as we only use her Tues & Thurs, but i would say if she is available to work then you pay, but if they are taking time off with their family you don't
We never have had sick pay issues as she has not been off sick in 4 years

My hourly rate for half days is more but I don't always commit to half days (I see what my situation is at the point they enquire).

I charge when I'm open, regardless of the reason the child is off.

I don't charge for bank holidays or for any of my closures.

My hourly rate includes nappies, wipes, outings etc. but an evening meal costs £2 per meal (all other food included).

I have already given my 2012 holiday dates to parents to help them forward plan, many will time the same time off or at least most of the time.

Very best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy/birth :)

Some CMs might be happy with half days if they have lots of after school children and not enough room in the car for all the younger ones. Other's might just prefer half days because they don't like being completely full. Still others will charge you for a full day anyway..... Every CM is different, just as all parents have different needs.

My CM does do half days, charges 1/2 fee for bank holidays (but only because I'm part time and so have far more bank holidays proportionally, if I were full time I think it would be full fees). Her holidays are not charged for, my holidays are. Meals are included in the fee, which is £6 per hour. I supply nappies and wipes.

Talk to them, visit them, and see how it goes.

Thanks. Sounds like they all do thinks a but differently! I am best to contact the one I am thinking of a bit nearer the time and ask then i think.