Term Time Only Contract

[rasharoon]

Hi
Although I am awaiting my registration certificate, I have two girls starting with me from September (aged 8 & 4). Now the mum is a teacher so has said that she only needs term time cover. Is there such a thing as a term time only contract as all I have are the NCMA contracts and also, is it the norm to charge half fees as a retainer for the school holidays when she is not using my setting? If she disagrees with this and doesn't wish to pay, can I do anything?
Thanks for your help.
Rasharoon

[deeb66]

Hi

On the NCMA contract there is a big box area where you can add extra's/additions to the contract. You can write in that space that the contract is for term time (specify that it is the set term time as laid down by the area council) and what the arrangements are to be for school holidays.

It is pretty standard to pay a half retainer fee during school holidays to ensure that you hold the space for when the children return to school. I would say a good 99% of minders do make this charge so she will be extremely lucky to find one that would agree not to.

You have to decide what you are willing to do. If you really wanted to take the children and she did not want to pay a retainer perhaps you could come to a compromise that she pay you half retainer for school holidays throughout the year but not during the summer 6 weeks holiday....you could then advertise for holiday cover during that time and would therefore make up any lost funds.

I hope I have helped - good luck

Dee

[susi513]

One of the reasons I stopped using NCMA contracts was because there wasn't enough space to add things like this.

I have a number of children on term-time only contracts. All the under fives pay 1/2 fees in school holidays to keep their place. This is because I have only 3 under 5s spaces to offer and I can't afford to tie up any of these places with a family who isn't paying for the full year. My bills aren't any fewer in the holidays! Those that don't charge in the holidays usually have a higher term-time rate to compensate.

Parents hate the idea of paying for a service they are not using. They don't like retainer fees at all and for me this is the most difficult topic to discuss. I emphasise that by paying the retainer, the place is reserved/guaranteed for the sole use of their child. So even if they are not at work they can book their own place in the holidays, on payment of the other half fees, for example if parent wants to get a hair cut or has a hospital appointment, meeting/overtime or just some time to themselves. All of my term-time ones who all said they didn't need me in the holidays have booked occasional care; some much more than others.

And if they've told me they don't need me for a particular day and I use the place with another child (eg providing cover for another cm) I would waive the retainer fee for the time their place was unavailable to them as I don't charge 2 parents for the same place.

If she doesn't want to pay you need to make a decision - either wish her luck in finding another childminder who doesn't charge in the holidays (thats what I do) or consider negotiating a different amount. Although the NCMA suggest 1/2 fees as a suitable retainer it seems that some childminders charge as much as 2/3 and others as low as £15-£20 per week.

[mel]

I think all of this is good advice. Unless you are willing to work term time only hours and earn term time only money, a retainer is the only way you can stay viable. It is tricky discussing fees etc with parents but it would be best to make sure all parties are clear on what they are paying for and what they are not. Saves confusion later.

Mel x

[Pauline]

I too charge half fee during the school holidays.

Don't forget they still get paid their full wage so it's not as if they are going to be worse off in fact they will be better of by half fee for those weeks!!

[nannan]

I agree with what has been said, as the mother is working in a school she should already know that she will need to pay a retainer,
mandy