Corona policy

[Maryann1975]

Have any childminders written a policy about Coronavirus and what will happen if we are forced to close. What have you said about fees? My contract doesn’t cover pandemics or forced closure by the government (I use standard pacey contracts) but like many childcare provisions (and I guess many other businesses), not being paid will have a detrimental effect on the long term running of my setting. Other cms nearby have said they will charge half fees if they are forced to close, which I feel is fair, but wondering what others are planning.

Also, is anyone a registered childminder in Ireland? (Do Ireland have registered childminders in the day way as England?). If so, have you been closed down in the same way as schools have been? There has been some talk locally that if you have less than a certain number of children each day you will be excluded from a compulsory closure and allowed to email open each day.

Also, sorry for posting about corona not in the corona topic, but I felt this was specific to childminders so more appropriate to post here

I am considering writing a policy over use weekend. I started a thread last week saying I'm worried about closing.

I will consider each family case by case I think. Where I know they're still being paid, I will ask for full fees. Where parents are sent home from work and are not being paid, I will come to an arrangement.

It's all a stab in the dark isn't it? Not much guidance from either Pacey or the local authority.

I have a policy it states if a parent or any one in there home is self isolating the child can not attend but full fees apply, if am self isolating no fees apply. In the event of enforced closure I am charging full fees If it goes on for more than 2 months I will discuss dropping down to half fees.I know all my parents will still be paid and get childcare fees help if off , so don’t see why I should not be paid. sadly I will have to close down if parents don’t pay. So it all boils down to if they want childcare so they can go back to work.

Hi I'm in Ireland OP and as far as I am aware childminders are taking advice and doing what they see fit. I do know that the majority of teachers who are now at home are keeping their dc at home and still paying their childminders because morally it's the right thing to do...but that may not apply to everyone. But the government have also put in place a payment of €305 per week for those that are self employed and who loose work. So I'm guessing childminders fall into that bracket.

Hopefully we will get help From the government as our insurance policies have already said we won’t be paying out if you close for any reason due corona virus

@mymymymycorona so were registered childminders exempt from the enforced closure?

Maryann are you on Independent Childminders?

I just had a look at pacey contracts on line but I see you have to buy them. I do a lot of work on contracts in general which is why I was interested. Does it have what lawyers call a force majeure clause in it which most contracts do which are well drafted - such saying if through circumstances beyond our control we cannot perform the contract we are not in breach of contract? If not the company that produces those contracts should put one in

My childminder has sent me one saying that if government forces closure or one of my family has to isolate meaning the child cannot attend then we continue to pay full fees; if she or someone in her household is forced to self isolate and so cannot provide the service then we do not have to pay anything. If I can get childcare sorted elsewhere (I work NHS so would need something) for free then I off my own back would pay a retainer, but that's not contractually binding her side or mine.

If you can't provide a service / your service is close, then you shouldn't charge.

Would you expect to pay for any other service that wasn't provided? e.g trades person, event tickets, cleaning, hotel stay, activity fees. No you'd expect a refund because you didn't receive the service.

The families that use your services won't be able to work if the children are home so they probably won't be able to pay you anyway.

@invisimamma it’s not that simple. If they don’t pay the setting will close altogether. I think case by case basis is best course of action.

I do understsn that but may other self employed businesses are in the same position. From a customer point of view, why should anyone pay for a service they haven't recieved?

I can't pay childcare fees when I wont get paid myself, if schools close. Can't split care with dp to manage work as he's NHS so needs to be at work.

@Maryann1975 in Ireland you only need to register as a childminder if you take more than 4 children (afaik) so they have all been given instructions to take the best care possible, a lot of crèches, Montessori and childcare providers on a larger scale have been closed. Those who mind from their home are to take all precautions necessary and the government have put in place payment and extended the sick leave policy for them etc etc to make it easier for them. HOWEVER, I am aware that there are some who are still taking children of the frontline workers who need their children cared for. Either that or they go to close family. For instance my single friend is minding her sisters child as she is a nurse and her DH is a paramedic. But her sisters childminder has also said she isn't charging as SHE decided to withdraw service for the time being!obviously that's only one scenario.