If my DC are in afterschool only with a CM, do we pay for school holidays?

[Lizzylou]

Sorry, just want to check if this is common practice, bit clueless.

Our DC are going into afterschool care with a CM (instead of afterschool club). Was quite surprised to see a bill charging 50% for school holidays when they wouldn't be attending. Afterschool being the operative word.
Am I just being deluded? Is this standard?
The bill is a lot more than we thought it would be (knew it would be more expensive than current arrangement) and I just want to check.
Thanks.

Surely only you can answer this as only you have the contract?

You may pay a retainer fee to keep your children's places allocated.

Every childminder will operate differently, so it is something you should ask each particular childminder.

Sounds like you have already signed a contract - the contract should say in it about what fees are due.

Different childminders have different arrangements. Personally I don't charge for holidays as all my contracts are term-time only and I am not available for childcare in the holiday. If she works year round, I can understand her charging to keep your place open for you. If she's closed though, I think it is a bit cheeky. What does your contract say?

It's a bit of a tricky situation ( and one I don't want to describe too much iyswim).
A verbal agreement on trust (due to past history) and no money has changed hands, we'd had a different arrangement in the past. Sorry for being evasive, just don't want to chance getting spotted and annoying someone.
2 DC, 50% of standard rate for both, for ALL of holidays.

You need to get a contract drawn up, which you both agree to.

I think the contract idea is a good one, but...

If you want to risk her taking on someone else's children over the summer you can not pay it; but why should she be loyal to you?

I have been stung once or twice with having a child all year, not charging in the holidays, turning away new business only for parent to turn round end of August to say "Don't need you any more"

So while I don't charge over the holidays - my regular after school children pay for September in August, so I am sure of their business continuing

Katymac - I was thinking of doing that.... asking for September's payment in August, just to confirm they are definitely coming back...not sure what the parents would think though...Am still undecided.

I ask for September fees at the end of term in July - I know several people who do that. I say I don't charge a retainer to keep the place over the summer, but I do expect you to pay for September before the break. Put like that, I think it sounds fair and nobody has ever refused.

Do you charge anything over half terms/Easter and Christmas?

you really need to have a contract so that these issues can be addressed.

I always thought that one was needed in order for childminders insurance to be valid........ happy to be corrected if that isn't the case though.

teenagers I thought that was the case too - it is for Early Years.

There is a contract, it is so difficult to explain.
Sort of "family friend" situation. I have signed contract but not paid anything.

I just really want to know if the 50% charge for ALL school holidays is normal.

If it's any help, this CM is amazing, she really is and I know my DC will be better off in her care. Just the sheer amount of money more than we were paying is a tad daunting and I am feeling a tad uneasy about it. Mainly due to a change in her setting (not for the worse, but why her fees may have gone up).

Sorry, v cloak and dagger.

It's normal for her, in that case. It's variable from CM to CM. This is the sort of thing you should discuss when you go through the contract.