Cm club - I need advice about retainers, please

[HiccupHaddockHorrendous]

I have a number of term time only children. I've never charged a retainer because I was quite happy to work less through the holidays.

Things have changed and I am now thinking about introducing a retainer from next September.

Is a 50% retainer standard?

Would the term time hours/days have to be available during the holidays?

Would 8 months be reasonable notice (assuming I inform everyone of the changes in January).

If, for example, a mindee usually came for 2 hours afterschool, 5 days a week, would I be unreasonable to not let them use the 10 hours all in one day during a school holiday?

Or is it totally unreasonable to try and introduce this after parents have signed contracts? I'm fully prepared for some to not accept the new changes and seek alternative arrangements which is fine.

I think as long as you give plenty of notice (which 8 months definitely is) & explain that you are struggling financially just having TTO children so from September will be open year round and this means that in order to keep their space over the holidays a 50% retainer will be payable.

IMO if you're going to charge a retainer then you need to keep their spaces free in case they want to use them but no, I wouldn't allow banking hours & make this clear as I do think parents often make this mistake. I would also create some sort of holiday booking form which they submit in advance & outlines which dates & times they intend to use. I ask for mine 2 weeks in advance along with any top-up payment due just so I can make plans with my own DC & other mindees.

Could you not up.their rate slightly, but ask for a pay monthly system, so their years cost is.split into 12 direct debits?

I charge one day per holiday week for a mindee who does 3 days per week. They can use this day, which I encourage esp over long summer holiday, or not. They mainly use the day and sometimes ask for more. I.think 8 months is fine notice for changing this, though I would expect some disgruntled comments from parents!

I would up the TTO fee instead. Parents do not like to pay for something they do not use. I currently childmind and have a different fee for children on TTO contracts and all year round contracts.