Another retainer question!

[ludream]

Hi everyone!

I've been asked to look after some children on a temporary basis whilst their usual childminder is off sick for several weeks. One is four and the other is six.

I will have both children from 8 o'clock and take the 6 year-old to school. I will then have the four year-old for the morning and take her to nursery in the afternoon. Then I will collect the children from school and have them for a few hours until they're parents come for them.

My question is: do I charge a retainer for the time the four-year-old is at school in the afternoon? I won't for the 6 year-old as he is before and after school only, but wasn't sure about the younger one.

Also, if I wanted to increase my registration ratio from 2 under eights to 3 under eights how do I go about this? I stupidly didn't allow for after school care for under eights when I was asked how many I wanted to be registered for!!

Can anyone give me some advice?

Many thanks.

[debratina]

hi
for the increase in numbers all you need to do is phone ofsted.
has for the retainer do you normally charge a retainer for anyone else? is there any chance you could speak to their childminder to see what she does?

[Pauline]

Most people would charge for the afternoon while the 4 year old is at nursery, this is because you will be responsible for him/her during that time so can't take on any other children. Even though he/she is not with you they count in your numbers.

Do you know what the other childminder charges? If they don't charge for the afternoon then the parent might ask why you do.

To increase your registration number you will have to write to Ofsted. You could phone them first but they nearly always say 'put it in writing' !

My advice to anyone starting out as a childminder would be to register for the maximum number you can, even if you don't want to care for that many - you don't have to, but it means that if the need arises you can take extra children without having to ask Ofsted to increase your registration ratio.

It's the same with registering rooms in your home for childminding use, you can have all your rooms passed for use if you want, this doesn't mean you HAVE to use them but if they are registered then you can use them if the need arises - i.e. needing an extra bed for a sleeping child.

Hope that helps.

[ludream]

Hi. Thanks for the advice. I don't know what the othr childminder's arrangements are with the family, and as it sounds as though she is really quite ill at the moment i don't want to disturb her with questions so I'll have to play it by ear.

Would it be normal to charge a retainer for the older boy during the day as well, or only if they want the space for school holidays, as he would be encroaching on my spaces too if that's the case. At the moment it is only temporary, although the parents don't know when the childminder will be back on her feet yet, if at all.

[Pauline]

The minders I know just charge the before and after school rate and then the day rate in school holidays without a retainer.

Does anyone else do it differently?