What should I charge mindees mum when she's on mat leave?

[AskABusyPerson]

I only have one regular mindee, 3 days a week since October 05. Love her to bits and get on very well with parents. Mum is now expecting and has mentioned she'd still like dd to come to me while she's on mat leave, but prob one day a week not 3. Should I charge any sort of retainer or anything to make up for the days mindee not there? She's not specifically said she's going back to work yet, but if mindee still coming to be I guess she is going back! Thanks

just mention to mum what her plans are
explain to her that if her dc only does one day that the other 2 days may get taken unless she pays for them
ask mum about her returning to work

my mindee aged 2 used to come mon/fri afternoons. when mum had the baby in dec i helped out a lot extra as i had the space, mum decided not to go back to work but mindee now coming mon/fri all day to give mum a rest and let her sleep

Why would she need to pay extra? If only doing 1 day then just pay for that? That's what I would expect anyway. Although admit haven't used cm's before.

BH - she would only need to pay if she wanted to keep her 3 days for when she went back to work

otherwise Askabusyperson could give her 2 days away to someone else & there might not be a place for the child (or the new baby) when mum returns to work

Thanks for replys, I'll plan a child-free chat with the mum! Makes sense re charging for the days to keep them open as yes, I would otherwise be looking to fill them! I've only been childminding since Oct 05 so am still a bit new to all the ins and outs of charges etc!

speak to mum on nice terms following the advice below, ncma contracts(on back) say 1/2 normal fee for retainer..so half fee both days meaning she actually pays 2 full days money IYSWIM?(using one of three and paying 1/2 for other 2)
tbh, i would think mum would appreciate putting her LO in with you even just for a few hours those days, use that as a softner..say, bring her even just for a few hours to give her time with baby??

Thanks for that strawberrysnowflakes (cool nickname btw!) I hadn't got around to looking at the ncma contract notes, I've not done a retainer fee before, and yes re having time with the new baby!