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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

CM CLUB - Retainer?

24 replies

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 07:32

How do i do this?

I have a lady on mat leave who wants to pay a retainer until May.

When do i start charging a retainer?
When do i fill in contracts, can i fill it in and give a provisional start date (in case she doesnt know the exact date?)

I've never had to do this so i am clueless. please can i have as much info as possible. TIA

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agalch · 07/01/2007 08:33

Hiya

If i have an immediate vacancy i charge half fees right away.

If she doesn't want to do that tell her to get back to you nearer the time.There is no point in keeping a space open and not charging imho.

I have kept spaces in the past and parents have not gone back to work or got granny to look after children.I always take a retainer now.

HTH

Oh btw i take half fees but up to you to decide your own retainer fees.

shosha · 07/01/2007 08:34

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Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 08:48

Thanks, also as i wont be seeing her every week do i get her to pay the retainer at the start of the month?

Also are you expected to care for the child in this time, i was thinking as she is paying me a retainer i could offer to have the child whenever she needs a break/ sleep/ shopping/ hairdressers so we can get to know each other, obviously i know she is on mat leave and obviously wants to spend that time with her child but we all need a break sometimes.

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BuffysMum · 07/01/2007 08:51

As a CM user if you are keeping a current vacancy for her then I would expect to pay a retainer from now until then at about 50%. If you start having the baby those hours should be at full rater IMO.

shosha · 07/01/2007 08:52

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Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 08:59

I have emailed you Shosha. Thanks very much.

Do i just use the form you email or do i do a contract as well? sorry for being dumb. tia

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shosha · 07/01/2007 09:04

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Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 10:16

So just to get this straight...
i do a contract as normal with the start date sometime in may and fill in the form you emailed me as well as the other forms - permission forms etc and i charge half fee.

i don't know what hours she wants yet i know she wants part time but if its not many hours i thought i would ask her to come back nearer the time as i dont want to take half fee retainer for say £15 a week and in feb get the chance to look after a ft'er and turn them down iyswim but if it is good hours and the retainer will be about £40 a week then i will do it i think?

Also as its for another baby i will have to buy a triple pushchair and another highchair and possibly another travel cot as when/ if she starts i will have my dd (18mths) mindee (15mths) and this mindee who will be 11mths by then. Any advice on looking after these ages? at the moment im thinking if i can get new baby into a routine the same as the babies i already have it will be easy enough (well easy is probably not the right word)......

OP posts:

shosha · 07/01/2007 10:30

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shosha · 07/01/2007 10:30

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Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 10:40

yes lol i don't go on the bus i have a 7 seater (as long as it continues to work that is......) 3 babies on a bus......no thanks.

mind you the boot on my car is non exsistant but i do manage to fit a double pushchair and a single buggy in it at the moment. Bit they just sit behind the chairs there is no actual boot.

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Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 10:45

How would i make an 18mth old stay on a buggy board?

I guess it depends on the hours she wants tbh, when i meet her it will all become clear im sure, im just speculating at the moment, i wish i could have asked her more info on the phone but i had a new mindee crying in the background when she phoned so i couldn't talk we just arranged to meet the only thing i managed to find out was that she was on mat leave and had seen my website and i'd been recommended to her by someone she knows, when she said she needed the space in may i said i didn't know if the space would still be available by then and if she def wanted it she could pay a retainer she said thats no problem and didnt even ask how much it was. I'm hoping to go to a new toddler group on tuesday and i think from what this lady who knows me was saying she would be there so that would be nice to have an informal chat before our meeting on friday.

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shosha · 07/01/2007 10:47

Message withdrawn

agalch · 07/01/2007 10:49

LoveMyGirls

just had a look at your website(link from another thread)tis very nice

Have just had a thought,will you be allowed by ofsted to have 3 under 2 years? I only ask as i'm in Scotland and the Care Commission regs must be different here.We are not allowed anymore than 2 inder 2.

Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 10:54

Thanks - dp is responsible for my website so i'll pass that onto him (will make him very happy as he works hard on it, tho it does need some updating!)

Ofsted say we're allowed total of 3 under 5 but no more than 1 under 1. Both mindee babies will be part time so not as bad as having 3 full time. after school i think i will only have my dd's (1 and 7) and another mindee who is 2.

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shosha · 07/01/2007 10:55

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Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 10:57

meant to say we don't really go far either, i just like the fact if i want to i know we can... like day trips in holidays i'd like to know we could go out for the day. i guess ideally i'd like one where all the seats recline........now where's that lottery win i need........

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Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 10:59

this is what im talking about!

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shosha · 07/01/2007 11:02

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Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 11:03

renault espace - its crap really, not very reliable, i need a new car, a bigger house..........in order to get those i need to work more hours mind more children - to do that i need more equiptment, more space, catch 22 really

OP posts:

shosha · 07/01/2007 11:08

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Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 11:12

pmsl, i'm off to bed now need to get some rest before i can muster the energy to do my accounts, dp has taken the girls out so i have no excuse.....also need to clean - again hope to see you on MN soon, do you want me to add you to msn, if you have it?. thanks for your help.

OP posts:

shosha · 07/01/2007 11:16

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Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/01/2007 14:45

Have added you chat soon.

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