Asking parents for payment when setting is closed

[mymadworld]

Looking ahead, If I do have to close or are forced to close, my contract means parents are not obliged to pay. That said, I know most of my parents will continue to be paid and if I am more than three or four weeks without income, I'll be forced to find another job or source of income.

Can anyone think of a not too cheeky but to the point way of saying if you still want a childminder at the end of this please, keep paying me if you can afford to! Even half fees would be a help but I do t feel I can be too prescriptive
Does anyone have any thoughts on this approach?

Confirmed where?

Boris actually said teachers and teaching staff yesterday along with early years workers delivery drivers and retail.

Gavin Williamson said it today on the news, that the list would be given later but said for example some of those on the list will be hospital staff, not just Doctors and nurses. He also mentioned delivery drivers and all teaching staff and some school workers.

I think it’s more schools with not many teachers trying to keep numbers down so saying it’s both parents, the govt hasn’t said that but will announce later for further clarity

Both parents makes sense really, you want numbers as low as possible in schools, the likliehood is those who are in are going to be more likely to be exposed to it through their parents work; or on the flip side the fewer children in, the less chance of them catching it and passing it on which would make the parent unable to work.

Yes but childminders will lose the chance to have at least one child to care for and receive income - in a very low level risk scenario. Large nurseries and schools are understandable.

I actually contacted my Childminder today as I hadn’t heard from her. Both DH and I are not key workers so will have the children at home and WFH (as much as we can). We have said that as long as we are being paid, we will pay her as if our child is there. We have said we might need to reconsider if our circumstances change. I think that’s fair.

@kilbride65 it's not low risk, if things progress we will all need permission to leave the house, I don't think people get how serious this is. I really, really hope that the government can make up the shortfall in people's wages, but putting communities at risk isn't really it. Most contacts leave parents having to pay to keep their place anyway.

I'm self employed and found out today I won't be working for the foreseeable so I will be in a right pickle without having childminder to pay too. I know it's not the CM fault this has happened but it isn't mine either. We're in the same boat of not earning so I hope it turns out to be fair for us both and we can ride the storm

On the guidance that came out last night it says that only one parent needs to work in critical sector

Yes true. How do childminders contracts mean that they still have to pay if childminders need to close? Contracts generally don’t apply to these situations on government closing down settings.

@Marieo
Yes true. How do childminders contracts mean that they still have to pay if childminders need to close? Contracts generally don’t apply to these situations on government closing down settings.

I've decided to continue to pay my childminder as I will still be being paid. If I were self employed this probably wouldn't be the case.

@sqirrelfriends

Unfortunately most do not think like you do. Even if they are being paid they do not offer to pay anything to their childminder because they’re not obliged to. Your take is refreshing.

Thanks @kilbride65, I'm really lucky to have a salary and would never want to profit from this situation. I don't think she's actually going to take me up on the offer but it's there. Her other mindees parents won't be paying so it may be more financially viable for her to claim sick leave or benefits in the interim. Hopefully the government will offer something quick and easy to access to allow self employed people to stay afloat.

H

Our childminder has put us in a really tricky position; I’m a single parent who teaches expected in Monday. They have emailed today saying they are closing for next week charging 50 percent fees and reviewing it on a week by week basis.

As I understand it, you are a teacher therefore a key worker therefore she must be open to you. If you are wanting to continue with your childcare place but your childminder is refusing because she wants to self isolate then how can she justify charging you?

@Myusername2015 ^ above comment for you.

@Myusername2015...
Teachers are critical workers I'd message to say you are allowed to access childcare as per guidance please confirm that you will offer me care next week otherwise I will need to find alternative and contact you LA for lists of emergency places. If shes taking a retainer she has to offer you a space as legally she is allowed to care for your child if shes self isolating she cang demand payment.

Thanks both. There is another childcare who will take him but they say if I give notice I am liable for full fees for a month as they might choose to open. So I’d be paying more than my salary to pay two childcare providers

If you continue to pay your childminder or pay half fee will you still be able to claim that back? Asking for my daughter

@jannier I have a question that you might be able to answer. I’m a childminder usually in good health (albeit with the help of medicine) but due to the nature of the virus I’m classed as a vulnerable person on the gov list. My own child has reduced lung capacity due to a disease so with the Closure announcement I advised my parents I was closed. I’ve notified my LA but the tone of their communication to all early years settings is very forceful about staying open. They haven’t responded to my email and now I’m wondering if they think my reasons for social distancing is not enough to close. Have you heard of any childminders being made to stay open when they would rather reduce their risk?

@thesurreyyouth.
Ours put out an email this afternoon saying that they expected settings taking funding to stay open for children on the list unless staff were having to self isolate. It implied money would be withheld if you didn't comply....or that's how I read it. It also said we would be asked to cover Easter Holidays and be flexible to support our critical services. Your country needs you.....I know childminders now covering 24 hour shifts and working thr next day. The children are from families that are more at risk due to parents work but cant get gloves aprons handwash etc whilst being coughed over by 18 month olds we know the virus lives on surfaces children touch in our homes and bags etc come in with them it's a tough decision to make if your already in an at risk group.

I think if you receive funding for a child of a key worker, you should be available to them. If not, then you don't have to be.

@thesurreyyouth if you are vulnerable you should self isolate anyway IMO and if you're self-isolating you can't take any children.

So we have decided to offer our beloved childminder a one off retention fee.
Initially she was wanting 50% every month or terminate with 4 week notice payment (standard). That is just not feasible at this time plus we dont want to lose our spot.
Initially we thought that termination would be pur only option due to our financial uncertainties. However since the government have offered support (albeit minimal and not till june) we decided that she would need to claim like the rest of us.
My husband is in the very same position as her-self employed new start. So neither of them are going to come out of this well!!!
So monthly payments are simply not an option. Mortgage has been paused and car payments. My husband is the main bread winner and I am part time.
The retention fee was a suggestion from SCMA (Scottish Childminding Association)
I called and asked them personally what their thoughts well. (They are not a governing body but are great for advice etc). He said that the offer was fair and understandable. However also said that it totally up to your childminder.
So I am still waiting to see if our offer will be accepted.
I fully appreciate the difficulty with all of this. None of this will be easy. However there has to be some middle ground found. Each person will have a different challenge so the trick will be to juggle each personal circumstance and go with the flow. NO ONE IS GONA WIN AND COME OUT BETTER OFF. HOWEVER WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER AND MAKE THINGS A LITTLE EASIER.
If you are full time and getting full time wage and nothing really has changed then...ok maybe consider paying something monthly.
If your world has been turned upside down financially just like your childminders has then the two of you need to understand one another and work together. Xx