Can someone please help me explain in simple terms how a retainer works

[Saltire]

For a future mindee's parent please?

The parent pays a negotiated fee, either a lump sum or a weekly/monthly payment and in return the childminder guarantees not to let someone else have the place.

It is not a deposit which is either taken off the fees once the mindee starts or refunded when they leave , but it is a payment which recognises that the childminder has an empty space for the time the future mindee takes to begin.

I've tried that, she's not getting it at all.
Is there a link anywhere on CM websites I could send her?

My dsis pays a retainer at her local nursery so that her dd can have a place during the holidays. She pays a set amount for holiday care, say £10 and during term time pays £5 to keep the place open.
Obviously not real amounts but you get what I mean

How long are you holding the space for, and how much are you asking her to pay. Does she think its unreasonable.
Perhaps she is willing to take the risk of you not having the space.If she doesn't want to pay could you agree to contact her if you have someone else wanting the space, she can then pay the full cost or she loses the space.

Does this help?

Childminders normally charge a retainer fee to reserve a place for future use by a child. The retainer fee is a proportion of the normal fee (usually 50%) and is normally paid on the same basis (monthly/weekly etc.) as the service to be provided.

The purpose of the retainer is to recompense a childminder for potential loss of earnings during the retained period. This is not a credit against future fees.

Whilst childminders are being paid a retainer they will not fill the slot and will therefore provide childminding during the contracted hours if so requested provided that sufficient notice is given.

The full childminding fee would be payable for any such period. A contract will be needed to cover any retained period.

Without a retainer fee a childminder may not guarantee a place for your child at any time in the future.

Please note, that where a retained place is not taken up by the parent, the retainer fees are not refundable.

Are you with the NCMA?
If so could you show her your handbook page 66.
Its clear in there and in black and white IUSWIM..

Well they either pay a retainer (and its up to you to decided and negotiate what that may be)

OR they take the risk that you wont have the space when they need it......someone else could come along tomorrow!