CM CLUB - Retainer Question

[looneytune]

Morning

Some may have read that I'm loosing some mindees, all at once BUT.....I've already managed to sort 2 meetings out so feeling better than yesterday!

Now, one of them is for collecting 3 year old from nursery at 12pm and having them until 6pm. They do not require me to be 'on call' which I suppose means I only charge from 12pm, even though I'm very unlikely to fill those morning hours. Is this what you'd do?

My main question is, they may not want me in the holidays but I can't afford the drop in income, especially as it's not a whole day in term time. What do you all do about retainers during holiday time? She's happy to pay a retainer if she decides not to use me in the holidays (IF she even uses me!), what would you charge?

Thanks

1/2 fee AT LEAST!, no less!

Id charge half during the hols personally!
Dont think u could get away with charging before 12 either
Good luck with the meeting

Thanks for that, about what I thought. Anyone else want to give me their thoughts, that would be great as I want as many opinions as possible!

If not charging for the whole day then you need to charge from the time it takes you to get ready to collect him from nursery and travelling time.
Holidays 1/2 fees retainer.

Forgot to say when I did this for a mindee (collect at 12 and mum wouldn't pay all day), I charged a higher hourly rate instead.

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oh yes definatly, a higher rate for part timer!..i did this with mindee whos just left(nothing to do with that might i say)..i normally charge £3 and would have charged £4 per hour for part timer

You can't charge for the morning as you aren't needed (in the nicest possible way!)

Personally, and I'm aware that I'm in the minority here, I wouldn't charge anything for the holidays because I am happy to do term-time-only and holiday-only contracts.

I charge the same rate for everyone, and don't charge more for part-timers.

My childminder requests a retainer of half what I would normally pay and charges £1 per pick up and drop off.

Message withdrawn

Looney isn't being asked to take the child in the morning, just collect at 12pm. You surely wouldn't still charge for the morning?

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I would not choose a minder that wanted to charge retainers for days I wouldn't use due to the shift pattern I will be working. One I saw wanted over a £1000 per month using this method! She was all about the money rather than what care she would provide.

I have found a lovely minder (well 2 who work together actually to increase the carer/child ratio). She does not charge any retainers for days they won't be there. She will also have them Saturdays. Sounds like I have been very lucky but then again she says she understands how hard it can be for shift workers and would feel she would be taking advantage.

What happens when kids you mind are at full time school but you have them full days during holidays? Do you charge retainers for term time days? I would be if you did as I know lots of parents who want either term time only or holidays only care.

Perfectly acceeptable btw to charge for the time a child is a playgroup for 2.5 hours per day and she is taking and collecting from there.

heehee do I get a prize for 3 in a row??

Well, 4 with this one