Is my Childminder being unreasonable?

[Tulips99]

To ask for 50% of fees whilst closed to retain my child's place?

Why can't she continue to take your child?

If they are charging a retainer can they guarantee that they will still be there in 3, 6, 8 months time to pick up where they left off given that we have no way of knowing how long this is going to go on for. If they find they have to take alternative employment a few months down the line will they be refunding the retainer they have been taking for x many months or will it be spent already on their own mortgage/bills etc.

I've used both nurseries and childminders.

As I already said. IF YOU ARE NOT AFFECTED, you need to pay!

I'm talking about people who could pay but won't out of principle.

There's some selfish tw*ts out there!@

The nursery is covered under the 80% salary and small business grants offered by the government

They told us last week before the govt announced all its measures to help small businesses, which we thought was really good of them - but yes, hopefully that will keep them afloat.

I think 50% fees is fair - you are splitting the impact of the virus. Our childminder is charging this, but we are continuing to pay in full because we are both still being paid.

Upto you. I’d imagine lots won’t be paying for services they aren’t getting.

If no childcare, then many can’t work so won’t have the funds to pay.

There are perks and downsides to SE and like another poster has said there should always be a reserve set aside for emergencies or quieter periods.

Mine were insisting on full fees. Did manage to at least get them to see they couldn't charge the additional top up for resources that kids aren't actually using. Will lump the rest of it because i need the space again after

Depends if you want your kids to go back to her afterwards or not.

I'll be paying my child minder despite not using her. Oh and I'm a key worker and a single parent, I'm just very fortune to be able to work from home.

@StarUtopia completely agree, if this virus is teaching me anything it's that the majority of people are inherently selfish.

Wanna, why won't you be using her? Sorry I see, you have been allowed to work from home and can work with a child around which most people working from home cannot as they need to concentrate.

You are so lucky, my childminder quite happy to charge full fee.

@LittleLittleLittle, I do know about being self employed. But you’re a bit delusional if you think a business can change its existing contract without mutual agreement and present a bill of 50% for services it can’t provide.

What monthly expenses besides insurance are they, do tell?

“Registration currently costs £35 a year for the Early Years register and Childcare Register and £104 if you just want to join the Childcare Register and care for over 5s. You can pay your Ofsted registration fee online.”

Yeah, that £100 annual fee really justifies it.

If you are paid 80% of your salary it’s more than reasonable to pay 50% of childminders fees.

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted
What if that childminder is the only breadwinner in the house? And stands to lose the roof over their head- and their children's heads- before all this is over? And haven't got 3 months money tucked away because self employed people don't get the same income every month; mine can differ by £600 ,depending on what month it is?So a lot of the time there isn't any spare.
And childminders have to take all their expenses into consideration, so not all of what they earn is profit. I didn't become a childminder to earn more money - no childminder ever got rich from doing the job- I did it to be at home with my children and to put food on the table.I don't charge for my holidays, sick days or bank holidays, but many childminders do. However,if you sign a contract saying you're happy with that, then you can't complain about it later.
Many people will still get paid by their employers, we have to just suck it up!
Luckily several of my families are still using my services, others are still paying me- their choice- because they will still want care when this is all over.

100% agree unless you have lost your income then 50% is more then reasonable. If you had lost your income you would then expect the childminder to be reasonable and keep your place if you couldn’t afford the 50%.

I am still paying my childminder full pay whilst ever I am still being paid, even though she isn’t offering any childcare despite me being a key worker. I couldn’t see myself benefit financially and her struggle to feed her kids!

@Nekoness - if you bothered to read the thread a childminder listed what expenses she had which included paying rent/mortgage, paying an assistant's wages, training - (yes they have to do training now), car insurance. My post simply said OFSTED registration as starters.

Anyway, my CM doesn't charge when she can't have children. However she will be looking after mine and another child, as they have keyworker parents so she will have some income.

@Nekoness
Expenses....
Food,petrol,wear and tear,percentage of council tax,gas,electricity, water rates, insurance, nappies, baby wipes ,toys,art and crafts,entrance to play areas, training courses, national insurance, income tax,cleaning products,stationary........anything we pay out for our business. Fair few expenses really....
Because we are a business......we don't just do it for a bit of pocket money!

What monthly expenses besides insurance are they, do tell?

Oh, I don't know - the mortgage on the premises where they run their business? All the utilities that come with owning a home - electric, heat, gas, internet, council tax? All the toys and books they buy for your child?

If they lose their entire income, how will they continue to pay for the running costs of their home? Self-employed folk aren't entitled to 80% of their income - they're entitled to a grand total of £95 a week. Do you think that's enough to live of for 3/4/5 months?

What happens if the childminder can't afford to live and has to close? Where will you send your child then?

I am in bits about not working. I have no money coming in as I have contracts with my parents saying if I’m not available I don’t charge. I was under the assumption that being a small setting we could keep going so didn’t have the conversation about this situation and I don’t feel comfortable messaging them with a change of terms after the event. What do I do? For now I’ll abide by the social distance rules & look after my family but long term, who knows. Fortunately my dh is working from home so we still have a wage.

If you’re still being paid why wouldn’t you pay her. Is she supposed to eat grass until people start using her services again? People depend on childminders to enable them to go to work - without childminders there aren’t enough nursery places - it’s a proper job, not a hobby and she should be paid. If you’re being paid why should you be making a profit from this epidemic .

As for the people who say don’t pay her - she’ll still be there after things have calmed down - will she want to have your children back to let your lives go back to normal? I’d be looking for new clients.

Problem is Childminder's have parents over a barrel and they know it - that's why they are the only self employed people on earth that charge for bank holidays, holidays and 50 weeks of the year when we get at least 6 weeks annual leave

Don't be ridiculous. Every self employed person/small business factors these costs into their fees. They might not list them as such on their price lists but they are definitely included.

I charge £4 ph but ask for a retainer for the school holidays, other childminder friends charge upwards of £6 ph but don't take a retainer. The outcome is the same.

I've told my parents not to pay for one month and then we will review as necessary.

My nursery have asked for 100%. I've suggested they reconsider before everyone gives notice. I at least want a deduction for food not eaten, nappies not purchased etc.

The thing my cm will be getting my early yrs funding still which I have no problem & is more than 50% off fees. However Im loathe to commit to paying full fees for all the holidays eg easter, 1/2 term & summer. That's a lot of money. I usually pay bank holidays & holiday pay. I think full fees are unfair as she is saving on food for example