What do you do about this then

[crace]

I have a woman coming to see me this Friday, she hasn't had the baby yet (due in 2 weeks) but will be going back to work p/t next January.

How do you proceed with something like that?? I wouldn't take a retainer if she chose me as it's yonks away, but a deposit? And if so, how much?

I'm no good with things like this but there's no way I could afford to commit to having them in January unless I had someone leaving near them so this be a replacement. But do remember, you can't take ANY payment of ANY sort until the baby is born

Good luck and hope you are ok today

I would give her until September to decide whether she is going to use you or not and then at that stage ask for a retainer. That way if she decides not to, you still have time to find someone else for January.

i WOULD charge a retainer, the amount is up to you, maybe a climbing one ie:10% betwenn now and sept, then 50% between sept and jan.
i was 'too nice' recently and said i would waver retainer until i was in a position where i needed place..mum went with somone charging FULL retainer and she not using them till sept!

but if you charge, make sure baby has been born first

Ok, I am liking the idea of leaving it until September - it's just too early I think for her to make any decisions. She's not had the baby, and we all know how things change. I never went to work myself!

I signed two families up last April 2007, babies due Oct & Nov last year to start Sept this year. I took a months fees as a deposit for the places because I knew I would definately have them available as 2 mindies off to school.

I gave them a letter stating terms and conditions, - deposit not refundable if they changed their mind except in exceptional circumstances ie something happening to the baby.

I won't charge a retaainer as the places are not available until September, even though I lose mindies mid July, but I work term time only.

On a number of replies there are comments regarding not setting up a contract or taking retainers for an unborn child. Whilst I fully understand there must be a sensitive approach, is this a regulatory requirement? If a parent makes contact about a minding arrangement to start when a baby is going to be only 8 or 10 weeks old, that contact is likely to be some 3 to 4 months prior to the baby's birth. Am I wrong to charge a retainer from the time of the enquiry?

It's NOT ALLOWED but I can't remember where it says that.

I am finding more and more minding enquiries are for "future new-born" children and this presents a dilemma - the parents-to-be come and visit us maybe 4 or 6 weeks prior to the due date with a minding start-date about 8 to 10 weeks away. That is only at the most a 4 month lead time for which some of you are saying I must only consider charging for part of the time. Don't get me wrong, I am not heartless but the increasing tendency of parents (out of necessity), to place their children into a childminding setting from about 10 weeks is putting a whole new question on the issue of deposits and retainers.

Its the NCMA that recommend you don't take payment before the birth of the baby, but afik its only their recommendation and there's nothing in the standards to prevent cm's charging whatever they've negotiated with parents.

I've always told prospective parents that they are welcome to visit me whenever to help them draw up a short list and then to get back in touch after the birth of the baby.

but those parents who have taken the trouble to start looking early on are keen to make firm arrangements so they are not left withouta cm later on. And I know other childminders who take deposits so I'm reconsidering my policy on this.

I think it is wiser not to take money before the child is born

No-one likes to consider it but childbirth can be dangerous

If we had taken a deposit and (God forbid) something happened to the baby there is a whole issue with returning/not returning the money - which what ever way you look at it is a highly emotive/upsetting subject

And not really something you can bring up or plan for with a pregnent mum

No way would I take money for an unborn child - just can't do it, the what if's are too many, childbirth indeed is a tricky thing. The health could go wrong, anything could go wrong.

I think in this case I will give her my pack, have her ask questions and just tell her to get in touch once she knows more and if I have a spot then great. Which is likely to be honest, I still have a full time space available that I can't for the life of me fill

Agree with Crace, my 1:1 baby's mum nearly died giving birth and has had 2 blood transfusions since - I just couldn't take the money although I must admit I always thought you couldn't anyway.

I have a lady coming today to see me about a January placement for her yet unborn baby. I wont be charging her anything till end of September when I will ask for a deposit of half the monthly fee (which I take off the first months fee). This is none returnable, if they decide not to take up the space. They also sign contracts in September so the deposits legal requirements are on that. Like someone else will definitely have the space as 2 mindees will be going to school full time then.

I don't ever ask for deposit before baby is born tho.