How many weeks for TTO & do you charge holiday retainers?

[lechatnoir]

Just wondering how many weeks you base the academic year on as counting the number of days they are in school (ie holidays & inset days) I make it 38 weeks but have seen CM's quoting 39 & even 40 weeks (based on 12 weeks holiday).

Also, for TTO mindees, do you charge a retainer during the holidays , charge a higher rate or combination of both? And if you charge a retainer, does that mean I have to keep the place open for that child or can I reasonably book in holiday care?
LCN

It's 39 weeks for us, according to the teaching staff whose children I care for.
That's the number of weeks they're contracted and paid for.

As for the rest, I charge a half fee retainer only if I don't have a holiday only child to cover the place. So far, I've never charged a retainer. I don't charge a higher fee for term time only.

Hi never really thought about the first part of the question. For quite a while now I only have one child during the holidays, as required, so that gives me quite a bit of time off sometimes.

In September I not sure if I will still be cm during the holidays. Either way I am not fussed. Got four kids of my own.

I have NEVER charged any retainers for my parents, who only need me for the school term.

As most of the kdis do not come in holidays, I could look to fill these spaces during the holidays only , but I choose not to. I like it the way it is.

40 weeks full fee, 12 at half, added together and divided by 12 months, although term is actually 36 weeks and 16 hols, so I get 4 weeks paid at full fee, the rest at half. The children do not come in the holidays, there are childminders who charge 52 weeks full fee and parents who are happy to pay, as demand is high here.

I choose to work term time only as it suits me better to spend the holidays with my own children. I don't charge a retainer, but I do say that they are liable for September's fees if they don't reappear at the start of the next year.

Similar to ali, but 39 weeks full fee, 13 at half, added together and divided by 12 for equal payments throughout the year.
I do workthroughout the holidays with a couple of children so I am available to work.

I do 39 weeks full fee, 11 weeks half fee and 2 weeks free - add it all together and divide by 12.