Retainers

[Stellarpunk]

Need a bit of MN wisdom!

Im seeing a potential new childminder soon to start in September. I wont be using her over the summer. But... do I need to pay any kind of retainer or deposit... and if so what is considered reasonable?

all childminders work differently some charge retainers some deposits. I would charge one months deposit non refundable but I would use it to pay first months fees. however I would only do this if I had the space coming up then anyway, which often works with a September start and another child leavingfor school. if someone wanted a place holding which I couldn't fill I would probably charge half fees to keep the place as otherwise I would be out of pocket.

Thanks happy for that

I would do the same as happydazed. A new child booking now for September would pay their first month's fees as a deposit. I don't work over the summer holidays anyway so wouldn't be missing out on anything.