term time only families

[louised]

I've been approached by a teacher who wants me to care for her daughter starting in December, and I was wondering how to work out my fees as she obviously won't need me in the school holidays. Do i charge half fees as I do for my other families when they are on holiday or a percentage as I'm keeping the place open. It seems quite harsh to ask for half fees when teachers have so many holidays but then again she'll be getting paid in the holidays so why shouldn't I?

[sarahnev707]

Teachers should expect to pay half fees in the holidays..... like you say, they're getting paid

Plus they'll want the space open for courses, inset days, planning etc and will probably use you a bit in the hols

Good luck with the interview!

Sarahx

[karalh]

I know most people charge half fees for teachers during the holidays which does seem fair as you may not be able to fill the space. I agreed an enhanced rate for the term times only with the teacher whose children I mind rather than charge during the hols. I'm probably slightly worse off doing it this way but I am happy because I would rather not be busy during the holidays so I have more time for my three boys. I think you have to do what suits you.

Kara

[lou]

I agree with sarah, i mind for 2 teachers at present and i charge both a 50% retainer fee in hols.

Teachers get a salary all year round, and you should be paid as you are keeping the space open.

I normally find at some point they want their children to come so they pay the difference.

HTH

[angeldelight]

Hi Louise

I have a lot of children that I mind term time only

I also have a lot of children that come school holidays only

Therefore I never charge when they are not here

Soft of me I know but I am happy with that arrangment

You have to do what is right for YOU

Good luck and hope you get the job

Angel xx

[charleyfarley]

I've actually done both ways

Had just term time only contracts and not charged for holidays

Had school holiday contracts

Had term time only contracts for teachers but charged for hols.

Teachers have something like 13 weeks off so if that is your only mindee can you afford to go without money for 13 weeks?

The teacher I minded for accepted she had to pay 50% during hols and didn't seem to mind.

Parent I have now insisted she paid during hols even though I offered her a term time only contract, she also works in a school.

Do what you think is right for you

Carol xx

[june]

When I started minding for a Teacher's 2 Children, she insisted I have half fee in the holidays as she says I should not miss out on wages for 13weeks (bless her) Her children have been with me for 6 years now. I have had a call last week from another Teacher (different school) who is returning to work Jan and wants term time only contract (no half fee in holidays) She says she may need me the odd time, but does not want to pay to keep space open in hols!!!!!!! Its a bit hard this one as the Teachers work in different counties (holiday date are slightly different) I think she is being slightly unfair expecting me to keep day/ days available , but not pay. What do you all think?
June
PS This site is bril and addictive lol

[susan]

June you set the rules for your own business honey, if you charged half fees then she should pay half fees or go else where unless of course you want to compromise.

I charge 50 0/0 fees for school hols and for one parent offered bogof sort of thing as an incentive to coming to me.

Whatever you are happy with go with but dont let the parent start telling you what they will and will not pay for or they may take advsntage of you again in the future

does that help... probably not ... sorry

xxx

[linda]

Hi Louise i mind for 3 school teachers children and i charge them all half fees during school holidays and they all appreciate this and are quite happy to pay.
Ialso have an after school child and fulltime brother their mum has a term time only contract so she is not actually paid for any school holidays when she came to me we discussed if i would charge her in the holidays and isaid no i would make no charge as she does not get paid and i never have her children.
I also mind a little girl from a private school in school holidays so i am lucky in that respect as the revenue i lose from the term time only one i recoup of her .
In your situation i would charge half .
Ps i charge full for all bank holidays if they fall in school hols.
Linda

[sarsar3nch]

I charge half fee in hols for teachers, they have all been happy to pay it. For one set I worked out what years fees would be and divided by 12 so they pay same slightly lower amount each month (including hols).

One set does bring kids through most of hols though and tops up so be careful how you word contract (i.e. is half fee to keep space open for next term or can they bring kids in hols with notice)

Sarah x

[loum]

June, either she pays half fee to retain the space for when she needs it in the hols, or she pays term time only, and takes the chance that you cannot offer casual minding when she needs it.

As been said, it's your business, these are your terms and charges, if she doesn't like it, tough!

[fionamal]

I have 2 kids for term time only while mums at college.

I charge half fee for school hols which they are happy with.

[tigger]

I have one term time only with an as and when required during the occassional school holiday. When I tried negotiating the contract with the father (I was going to charge a retainer of 50%for the periods not used), the father said that his other childminder did not do this and set up a short term contract in this case. As I am fairly new to minding I agreed to do this. I now look back and could kick myself for agreeing to do this. I think it's fair to charge a retainer for school holidays no matter who the parents are. I did make it quite clear that I would only have this child during the holidays if I had the space and could not guarentee this as he hasn't paid the retainer.

[sarsar3nch]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, I keep finding things that I will do differently in future ! ( I have had same families for last 3 yrs but children are due to go to school next Sept)

Sarah