new to childminding advice pls on retainer during hols.

[boo70]

Hi just wondering if anyone had any advice, I am a newly registered childminder and have one child at the moment,advertising to take on another two children. Had a call from a lady needing a place for her son in August, do i charge a fee to hold the place or how do i go about it.Also how much do people charge to hold a place? Thanks

you can either ask for a retainer fee, normally half normal fees, from when the place is available until when she needs it. This is not re fundable.

Or you can take a deposit. This is to secure the place for a later date. The deposit can then be used against the first month's fees. If the place is not available for whatever reason, you would return the deposit to the parent.

HTH.

if you are not full I'd be tempted to charge a deposit andthen if you could then fill the space ask the parent to pay a retainer from that time IYSWIM so that they don't feel you are taking the p. If you were actively turing work away and being ouyt of pocket it would be justified IMO but not until then.
How does this sound to you?

Or you could be a soft touch like me and charge nothing!!

as a parent I agree with alison, that seems fair

I too would only charge a deposit (to make sure they show up when supposed to) which is then taken off their first payment and then tell her that if you get other enquiries for the space she would have to pay you a retainer.

I too am a bit of a soft touch so maybe you shouldn't listen to me :)

Thanks ever so much, i think i will ask for a deposit and then take off their first payment. Thanks sooo much for your advice. I would not charge anything at all only im hoping to fill spaces before August and would not want to let this lady down. Thanks again

We are all to soft for our own good.

Thats true!!!!