Childminder intending to still charge in case of setting closure

[TooGood2BeTrue]

Our childminder has told us that in case her settings will have to be closed because of the virus she will continue to charge parents. Just wondering if this is legal? We only use her for a few hours each week, and it wouldn't break the bank, but I'm a bit annoyed by this TBH. I read that customers who bought tickets for cancelled events are entitled to refunds; is this really so different?

I agree with 50% being more reasonable given the situation, rather than the 100% my childminder has also asked for. She is great generally, and my dc adores her so ideally we'd like to have him return to her care when this is over. But 100% of fees won't necessarily work if we had a major financial change of circumstances ourselves (my DH has a job that he must keep going to outside the home, but they might try and reduce the size of the workforce if they think they could get away with it). While he is at work I won't be able to wfh and do my job very well with my dc (3 years old) underfoot. And none of my colleagues have childcare responsibilities so it'll be clear I'm not managing to do as much as them, if this carries on for a while.

Doesn't the government passing laws to say coronavirus is a notifiable disease (or whatever they call it) mean insurers should have to pay for business interruption? Or will the insurers all go bust then? Too big to fail?

Such an awful situation.

Do you get the 15 or 30 hours with the childminder?

I assuming that if so they still receive that funding

Yes, as of 1st April the 30 hours will kick in and so she will still get that, plus money from us for the remainder, which I guess will need to be at 100% for as long as we can afford it.

They're asking nurseries etc. to be 'reasonable and balanced' on fees - clear as mud, as usual!

1.11 Why is my nursery telling me that they will continue to charge me during corona virus-related closures?
The government acknowledges that in many cases, the insurance that early years providers have will not cover them for income lost during COVID-19-related closures.

That is one of the reasons why it announced on 17 March that government would not claw back early years entitlements funding from local authorities during closures, or where children are withdrawn because of COVID-19. This protects a significant proportion of early years providers’ income.

In addition, the government has set out a range of support for businesses to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on them. This includes a business rate holiday for all private childcare providers for one year from 1 April. Local authorities will be fully compensated for the cost of this.

In light of these steps taken already, we are asking providers to be reasonable and balanced in their dealings with parents. The government is urgently keeping what further support businesses may require under close review.

My childminder has said she will close/will not charge any fees. I've said I'll continue paying half her fees each month despite this /through the crisis. Do you think thats ok?

I assume that would be fine, sundowners and would make your childminder very happy, given that we don't know how long this will last.

My CMs are saying that families that want to ensure they still have their place will have to pay their retainer fee and I’m absolutely ok with this. After we come out of this there will be a deluge of people needing childcare again, and I don’t blame my CMs for working to the contract I signed with them. Quite simply, if they don’t then many CMs will be forced to close up for good.

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

Just looking for some advice. I’m a key worker returning to work in two weeks time. I contacted my childminder regarding opening and I got a message back saying she wasn’t planning on opening as no one else needed her and she was worried about a second spike etc. I’m just wondering if anyone knows where I stand? I don’t want to cause an issue with her but I’m annoyed as we’ve are still paying her 50% even though she’s refusing to open. Can I force her to open being a key worker?

@ Mumoftwotinnies sorry no you can not force her to open she is self employed and does not work for you. But I would advise her that you need the childcare so will be looking else where and if need be give her notice. She can’t expect parents to carry on paying for a service she is not providing or willing to provide when they need the childcare and end up paying someone else as well.

@Mumoftwotinnies sorry but that would really piss me off. Hope you get childcare sorted. I would be very annoyed with childminder.

I would certainly be going elsewhere. It is of course her choice whether to reopen, but there is no way she can continue to charge when not providing the service you need. I feel gutted for you having continued to pay as well because it would be a retainer fee and now you aren't getting your space 😢 good luck finding someone new.