Do you charge/pay to hold a space while a child is at Nursery?

[TheBrilloPad]

My 3yr old DS has been with his childminder for two years now, and is due to start morning sessions of nursery (3hrs per day) at the local school. Childminder will do drop off and pick up every day.

Two part question:

1. Should I be expecting to pay her while he is in at nursery to "hold" the place, is this usual practice?

2. how can I ask her in an non awkward way "oh, when DS starts nursery next week, do you still charge me full whack?" Because I completely understand if she does, in order to hold his space. I think she is wonderful and don't want to offend her!

Normal to pay something as a retainer - sometimes this will be 50 percent, sometimes full whack. Childminders set their own terms of business, so you'll just have to ask her.

I used to charge, but I do the pre school education in my setting, so no one goes now.