CM CLUB - Advice on before/after schoolers

[Jackmummy]

My ds is only just approching school age. So until now I've only ever had pre schoolers.
I've been asked to have a mindee before and after school for 3 days a week. From september.
My questions are...
Do I charge a retainer? If yes... what?
I'm not having her in holidays a a rule, by mutral agreement, but do I charge anything over those periods? I don't really want her all day for those 3 days, but I would do her normal times... which would be silly! So what happens?
TIA
JM

Can no one help..........

I would charge her 2 weeks as a retainer tbh. You have to change something in case she changes her mind at the last minute and you may have turned down other work on the strength of her coming.
Personally, I have term time only contracts as well as full/part time. One particular mindee is a term time only contract. Same money every week of school term. However, should she need me full time during holidays, we have a separate agreement.
Hope that helps a bit! Us cm's seem to be a bit short on the ground atm! Think its all the extra functions at school at this time of year and also some people have already broken up, so haven't got time to mn during the day! Try again tonight for the evening crowd.

Thanks for that. I did feel bad asking for a retainer as I wasn't really wanting her in the holidays, but you're right when you say she could otherwise change her mind. I feel better asking now.

Could you maybe hold the 2 weeks of money as a deposit then if she doesn't come back in September you have that as compensation.

I was also thinking about how term time contracts would work with a retainer. I only want to work term time and don't want to charge a retainer if it means I'll have to be available to work.

I keep reading that last line mogs and I still can't work out what you mean! You would like to charge a retainer for term time, but not be available for work. I'm sure its just me being thick, help me!

The retainer is for the holidays I presume - as Jackmummy didn't want to work hols.

I think Its not too fair to charge a retainer unless you will work if necessary (but I have done anyway knowing the parents wouldn't want me to for pre-schoolers but wanted the possibility of me being available but never for school age ones IWSWIM).

Charge her a deposit - and make it 1 month in case she changes her mind before September. You can dedcut it from what she owes in September when the child starts. If the child doesn't then you keep the money. If you change your mind you give it back.

Soz, didn't put it very clearly! - post-weekend-fatigue!!!

Thanks! I've got it now!

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You might want to post this as a new thread Ted, a lot of people won't bother looking here, as its about advice from one cm to another.