Childminder retainer fees

[Childcarequeries]

Have found a childminder offering after-school care for DD when she starts school in summer. Childminder wants retainer fee to be paid from now for this space. The space is currently empty. Feel I'm being charged for her not filling the slot last summer. I'd be comfortable with a deposit or if the retainer could go towards future bills. Not sure what is normal. Anyone had similar?

When I was a CM I’d charge a months fee (deposit) and put it towards first months invoice

personally I’d never have charged a retaining fee

When I was childminding I charged a deposit which was held until you left my care, if you owed me money, did not take up the space or left in first 12 weeks of care you lose the deposit. If space was not used straight away I too charged to hold the space and those fees did not go against future fees.like all other childminders locally. I could not afford to have a space empty for months. Around here school run spaces are like gold dust and snapped up with in days of offer day. If you don’t want to pay then you are best not to sign up with her yet but run the risk of no care and space gone come school place .offer day

Completely normal. You’re asking her to not fill that place.

I think it's reasonable - you can't expect her to not attempt to get another customer who wants to start sooner than six months away if there's nothing in it for her. the money of someone who needs childcare from April or May is just as yours, a retainer is a reasonable way to ensure she gives you what you need.

But what if she finds someone who wants the space from now and into next year. Would you expect her to say no to that when you're not paying her? Or say yes then kick them out in September?

I wouldn't like it but I do understand it. How sure are you that you'd find another childcare provider for your daughter if you didn't pay it?

It’s become normal. I think you have to decide what it’s worth to you to have childcare sorted. If she takes on another child do you have a plan B?

Normal IME. We paid 50% fees for several months in order to reserve a place for DS1 (over 25 years ago, in London).

Would you be happy for her to give the space to someone else that needs it sooner, leaving it unavailable for when you need it in the summer?

If not, you pay to ensure that doesn’t happen.

When I was a childminder I didn’t charge a retainer unless I could fill the space sooner then I renegotiated.

I am a childminder and I would charge a retainer for this as your child is under 8 and therefore counted in my numbers. I can only have 6 under 8 and by your child taking up a space in September I can't use it now. If by some miracle a child came along who was 7 and would turn 8 before your child started I would then contact you to waive the retainer but only in this situation.....far too many people have saved spaces then changed their mind or hours to much less once the child is due to start and it's left me out of pocket so always charge retainers now (especially since one family booked a full time space when I first started left me hanging for 2 months with no retainer as I didn't charge one then decided they only needed 2 days)