Advice re childcare costs please?
Hi mums, I am hoping you can help me? I am a newly registered childminder, and am happily nearly full! :)) I am sorting out contracts at the mo, and have a couple of questions for you... please could you give me your experience of such OR what you think is the right/best way to do things? It's about costs.. bearing in mind I want to be fair, but it's also my livelihood... What has been your experience with childminders: (1) charging for bank holidays? (2) charging when they are sick? (3) charging when you/child is sick? (4) charging when they are on holiday? (5) charging when you are on holiday? (6) asking for retainer? (6) asking for deposit? (7) payment in advance or in arrears? Advice appreciated! Thanks :) Jen x

Hi I do not yet have any need for childcare but I believe my sister paid a standard fee every month, which was the weekly cost times 52 divided by 12 (so the same as a salary) The childminder did not have my niece on bank holidays (but the fee remained the same), costs were not deducted if anyone was sick, fees were still paid when anyone had holiday. I believe my sister had a very good relationship with her childminder so they just worked out when to take holidays etc in an amicable fashion. So I guess that the answer to all your questions is basically my sister paid the same fees regardless. Also she paid in advance. HTH Rubyru :goodluck:

i have a great deal with my childminder as she is a parent from the school i work in, so i only pay term time as she likes to spend the hols with her kids so doesnt take money from me.. I pay as i go i pay a full day rate for full days and hourly for part days... I dont pay for bank holidays I pay if Edie is ill, but not if the childminder is ill I dont pay when she is on holiday (put this would be in the hols anyway as she has kids) we paid a month in advance which was kind of like a deposit, but havent paid a retainer. Where we live there is a service with the council for support for childminders so i would advise you ask at your council as they may have standard guidelines that would help you any more q's and just ask p.s. i supply my own nappies and food (when puree'd) but she supplies it when on proper food.

(1) charging for bank holidays? we are still charged for bank holidays (2) charging when they are sick? not charged as i need to find alternative cover and pay for that (3) charging when you/child is sick? still charged (4) charging when they are on holiday? 2 weeks paid holiday (5) charging when you are on holiday? still paid (6) asking for retainer? i believe it was a weeks fee (6) asking for deposit? first months fee which will then be used for first month sept and then dont need to pay till oct (7) payment in advance or in arrears? payment at beginning of month for that month

ps i need to supply milk and nappies but she supplies all other food and consumables .

This is all very helpful, thank you ladies! :happyspin: You have been so helpful.... I gather there are different arrangements in place, which is interesting to see! Many thanks!!!! Jen x

ok now bear in mind when yoou read this my childminder was my best friend and we were friends first What has been your experience with childminders: (1) charging for bank holidays? Same rate (2) charging when they are sick? Half fee (WHICH HAPPENED ALOT) (3) charging when you/child is sick? normal rate (4) charging when they are on holiday? normal rate (5) charging when you are on holiday? normal rate (6) asking for retainer? never had one (6) asking for deposit? never had one (7) payment in advance or in arrears? I paid her for the week she had just done

Re: Advice re childcare costs please?
We use a creche but i think it is the same principals when it comes to payment/holidays and sickness What has been your experience with childminders: (1) charging for bank holidays? not charged for bank holidays (2) charging when they are sick? not applicable, always staff there! (3) charging when you/child is sick? we get charged the same rate when lennon is off ill (4) charging when they are on holiday? creche is only closed bank holidays and 3 days over xmas, the rest of the year it is open and fully charged for (5) charging when you are on holiday? still pay full rates (6) asking for retainer? none at all (6) asking for deposit? none, well the weeks payment for when he started (7) payment in advance or in arrears? pay on a monday for the week ahead

Thanks again for all your helps mums!!! I have been childminding for a while now, and have happy kids and parents it seems... communication is what it is all about!! :)