Is a 50% retainer during holidays for a term time only child fair and reasonable?

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

Despite having childminded for some time now, I have never charged a retainer. I was thinking that 50% of the fee that was incurred during term time would be reasonable.

Any other ideas?

The trouble with a retainer is that you have to have a space available if the family want to use it (at additional cost). Are you going to be able or want to offer a place all through the holidays? I don't charge a retainer, but I do charge a bit more per day during term time to partially make up for not getting paid in the holidays, then in the holidays I can be shut/go away whenever I want, or I can take holiday only children without worrying about holding places for children who are term time only.

Lots of people charge 50%, but I am the same as minderjinx, no retainer and a slightly higher daily rate. I just feel wrong charging for all that time when the space isnt being used and i would frankly prefer to be less busy. (can I hear the sound of a can of worms being opened?)

I also do not charge a retainer for term time only children. It feels odd to charge when they are not here, but I completely understand the need to do so. To make it easier for me financially, I pro rata the cost and get a set monthly fee so that I do not have to l through long periods of no money. This works well for me as I prefer not being so busy in the holidays!

I did charge a 50% retainer for twin boys, as mum had to keep the space just in case she needed it over the holidays. This was only for an after nursery space - so from 4-6pm. But as others have said you then have to ensure the space is available for them to use it if they wish. (which she did - to get the shopping done in peace).

Oh and they were still in under 5 - so it was quite important for mum to have the space available.

A retainer is not just to compensate the CM for not having a child during the holidays, it is to retain the space for that child after the holidays. There is no general principal (but there may be something in your contract) that says that the CM must retain a vacant space while a retainer is being paid. Morally however, if you can fill up spaces during the holidays with holiday-only kids, it is difficult to justify more than a nominal retainer - perhaps 10% of the normal rate.

Thanks for all the replies. I have decided not to go with a retainer and to raise the hourly fee instead. I also am quiter some times in the holidays and like it that way, too! My son is 7 so it gives him a bit of a break as well.

The mum said she was willing to pay the retainer but was a bit worried about it, so after reading the replies here, I decided to renegotiate the retainer and suggested an increased rate.

Thanks again!

As a teacher, I've always had to pay 50% in the holiday. It did mean that I could then use the place when I wanted to though (by paying the other 50%). I did always resent it a bit though, tbh, but you have to look at the whole package.... if I weren't paying the retainer, then the hourly rate during term time would have to have been higher for the CM to earn enough money (unless she took on school age children who didn't need childcare in term time, just holidays...... ?

I give them a choice... If they will never need the hol place and will allow me to give it to someone else then no retainer. If however they want it help to use when they need then they pay the retainer.

Mr A... I don't understand your point about holding the space after the holiday? I would honour the contract and the place would still be there unless and until the parents or I gave the appropriate notice to end the contract. It's not a condition to pay a retainer if we agree between us not to. I believed a retainer was paid to compensate and hold the space before a child starts if we turn away other work but only a deposit should be taken if the space if not available until the start date of new child.

? Are you a childminder or Parent using a childminder? Just wondering where you get your info and advice from so i can read up on it to. Thanks.