Request for care August 09 what is my next step?

[OFSTEDoutstanding]

Hi I have received an email from a family with a 4week old baby. They are interested in me caring for the baby once the mum returns to work in Aug 09. I have never had anyone request care this far in advance before. What is my next step? At the mo I have my under 1 place full but will have a space in Aug 09 once my dd turns 1. Do I email back and say I would be able to care for their lo? Do I charge anything retainer, deposits etc? What happens if I say I will take care of their lo and something happens so that I can't either I fill the space or they decide to go elsewhere? Please give me some advice as I really don't know what to do in this situation I am more used to getting a phone call on a Friday to start the following week!

it must be the day for it lol

i had a call like this but in my case the baby isnt due until april 09.

i said that although i have space now they would be much better off to wait until a few months before hand. i dont want to commit myself to give a child a place in 10 months time. i have no idea what spaces i would have, i dont know if i might get a call that would suit me better and i am just not comfortable to commit a place unless they take the space much sooner.

if they wanted a day or two in jan with the possibility of uping the hours in august then i would be much happier to take them on. iyswim

hth

If you don't have a space until August you can't charge a retainer. If your space was available now and they wanted to reserve it now to ensure it was theirs when they needed it then you could charge a retainer, ie a weekly or monthly fee to hold the place open. So I would ask for a months deposit to reserve the place, which is non refundable if they change their mind. Cash cheque if applicable but don't spend it - you will have to return it if for any reason you can't offer the place as agreed in August. Some people use deposits to fund the first months fees, I don't - I keep them until the last day of childcare, kind of insurance re the notice period. So I would also expect the first payment up front before the arrangements starts. Plenty of time to arrange a payment plan if the family finds it hard to pay the deposit all at once.

Make a plan with the parent to keep in touch during 2009 - perhaps with some coffee mornings/playdates in July or meeting at the park/toddler group etc (as you don't have space for any settling in sessions prior to August). This will help you to start building relationships with the child & family. You will also need to ensure parents keep you informed of any developments in the child's health, development etc and their routine will be different by the time the arrangement starts.

Not all childminders would do this, but I would also say to parents that if they change their mind I would be willing to refund it IF I another child filled the place on or before their start date ie, I hadn't lost out financially. This gives them incentive to let u know sooner rather than later if their circumstances do change. If they do change their mind you get to keep the deposit but you could be left with a space indefinitely and that 4 weeks money isn't much when you've a vacancy unfilled for months ...

So suggest you don't turn anyone else away without offering to take their phone number/email and putting them on your waiting list.

I have deposits on 2 places for Sept 09, have had for a couple of months. The spaces will be available then as 2 leave.

If the places become available before Seot 09, then a retainer will be charged.

I do the same as ayla99 regarding payments

OK Thanks for all your advice

Hi I'd like to ask the mumsnet childminders what they would do if in my situation.
I'm a newly registered childminder with no mindees as yet but i had an enquiry today.the mum wants childcare for her 3yr old 2 days a week for about 3.5 hours from september.Should I mention a deposit at this stage or retainer for september? it seems a long way off but then what if someone wants more hours and days for their child in the meantime?I still have 2 spaces for under 5 yrs old. any advice gratefully received.

CFroggatt
i would say yes for now without a retainer but if you fill the other 2 places i would then ask for a retainer before advertising the place