|
Post by louise on Sept 19, 2007 18:59:51 GMT
Hi, I only have one mindee and hes mum today sasked if when she has another one can i take both on. Shes said it wont prob be till next year. I said it wouldnt be problem but would need a Retainer fee while shes on leave. She asked me how much. I couldnt remember off the top of my head and said i'd let her know tom. The back my NCMA contracts say normally 50% and you can charge for the baby after birth. What has everyone else do? i currently have her son tues-thurs 8-5.30 and im only reg for 2 in all so it would make sense for me to do 50% Thanks Louise
|
|
|
Post by tasha on Sept 19, 2007 19:13:03 GMT
I don't charge while the Mum is pregnant. I charge 50% from birthdate onwards as recommended by the NCMA for the baby & I charge 50% for the original child whils the parent is on leave. Tasha
|
|
|
Post by alisonkennedy on Sept 19, 2007 19:13:56 GMT
If you agree to take another child it would possibly mean you turning away a full time child who would be paying from now, therefore you would be out of pocket for quite a while. The advice I have been given in Scotland is that it is not good practice to offer a place for a child until it has arrived safely, and from then you can charge a retainer fee. 50% is the normal retainer I would charge. I have one child now who's mum was pregnant when he started with me, but I told her I couldn't guarantee a place for the baby as I had to earn. The other baby is now with another minder which is not ideal, we are now waiting for a space to become available. It's really difficult to know what to do for the best cos I feel guilty now that I didn't keep a space. Oh what to do?
|
|
|
Post by angeldelight on Sept 19, 2007 23:50:18 GMT
Well you say that the parent said " if she has another one ?" So I presume she is not even pregnant yet ?
It is a long time to hold a place and expect someone to pay 50% for childminding fees - if she were just pregnant now or trying for a baby
I would do as Tasha suggested and wait till the baby is born before making any commitment
Angel xx
|
|
|
Post by lou on Sept 20, 2007 11:42:25 GMT
i agree with tasha, but like angel says she isnt even pregnant so i would wait until the situation arrises.
|
|
|
Post by tasha on Sept 20, 2007 11:59:38 GMT
I thought I should add that if something else came along in the meantime - I would take it, I run a business after all! Tasha
|
|
|
Post by susi513 on Sept 20, 2007 13:44:51 GMT
I agree with above posts, so would say to parent that I will be happy to offer a place to new baby IF I have a suitable vacancy when she has need of it (if ever!). Naturally I can't reserve a place or make any promises with regard to my future availability so we'd need to discuss again when she is pregnant with a view to finalising contracts, deposits & retainers after the birth of the child. If a place is not available when she is ready to go back to work she would have priority on future vacancies because of having a sibling in my setting.
|
|
|
Post by tasha on Sept 20, 2007 13:48:36 GMT
Well put! Tasha
|
|
|
Post by louise on Sept 20, 2007 14:13:41 GMT
Thank you everyone for the replies. I dont think i made myself that clear. I wouldn't of charged the retainer fee until the baby is born. I think she is trying to think things out money wise ect. I would make it clear that i might have to take on someone else. It did make me panic when she said baby as i was worried about the drop in wages but it shouldn't be that bad as i would in theory only have half my wage while she is on leave and then once the baby is born i'd then be able to charge the other retainer fee. Thanks for all your advice.
|
|
|
Post by mel on Sept 21, 2007 7:06:15 GMT
It is a difficult one and you do need to work out how you manage money wise whilst she is off. Hope you manage to come to a decision about this one
Mel x
|
|
|
Post by jules on Sept 21, 2007 9:34:16 GMT
When my mindees mum was on maternity leave, she decided to keep sending O to me 3 days a week instead of 5 to keep her routine with me. So I didn't lose all the money, but she didn't have to pay lots of money out for no benefit. This worked out really well. The baby then came to me 5 days a week with his sister when he was 4 1/2 months old.
I looked after O while Mum had a home birth and I took her home and saw baby J (and had a cuddle) when he was only 3/4 hour old. O introduced me to her baby brother. "This is your Julie". J and I have a special bond because of being involved with him from so early on. Jules
|
|