Retainer help

[ajs]

i know this has been covered a million times before but i have never charged a retainer or a deposit before.

in september i am starting one morning a week with a 5 week old baby while mum finishes her college course. in April he/she will be coming to me 3 days per week when mum goes back to work.
but how do i work the retainer.
i am finishing with a 4 year old in september as she is going to school full time, so i can't really fill the space between sept and april.
how would you word the contract and how would you charge the retainer.
i am such a wimp when it comes to money though and when this mum asked about retainers and deposits i just did a silly nervous
laugh and said oh i don't know don't ask me questions like that.

when baby is born though we are meeting again and i will talk to her about it properly then, may be even show her what other minders do

[susi513]

I would do a contract for the 3 day place. So that the contract reflects the 3 days reserved but I would charge full fees for the 1 day of attendance and half fees for the other 2 days. Charging a retainer means you have to be available if required on the other days but I would specify how much notice you need to ensure your availability.


Under charges for absence I would put
Retainer fees = £1/2 fees apply to [days] during the retained period from [date] to [date].

Where the parent wishes to book childcare during the retained period the parent agrees to give written notice at least [x] days prior to the day of childcare. The parent agrees to pay full fees for each day of childcare booked and half fees for the remainder of the retained period.

[mel]

Hi
I agree. The harsh reality is that you won't be able to fill the space for that short time so will have to charge something. It is difficult but I would say that most childminders would operate a similar system so you are not asking for anything out of the ordinary.

Mel x

[angeldelight]

I agree

Good luck

Angel xx

[banana]

i'd do the same as susi

x