Childminders - what is a reasonable retainer fee?

duchy

I woudn't expect to pay a childminder if she was sick (but would expect to pay if my child was sick and don't go to her).

GobbledyGook

duchy wrote: »

I woudn't expect to pay a childminder if she was sick (but would expect to pay if my child was sick and don't go to her).

Quite a few I looked at expected to be paid for being sick on the basis that they had "bills to pay". I was quite shocked.

That said decent childminders are extremely thin on the ground here so they can charge pretty much what they like.

One charges for any sick days unless it's more than 5 days, takes 4 weeks holiday a year fully paid and only gives 4 weeks notice of the dates, charges full whack for any holidays you take, charges for public holidays even if she's closed (Christmas and New Year mainly), yet is always full.

Metranil_Vavin

Tirian wrote: »

Guess I can be grateful we don't live in London then ... that's quite mind-boggling!

Believe me £63 a day isn't as bad as it gets!

The two local private nursery's here charge £76 a day, that's around £1300 a month for a full time space :eek:

Oh and someone I used to work with pays a nanny £100 a day to look after her DS, so that's £500 a week on childcare!

Tirian

A happy update – we met with the childminder and it turns out that although she uses the NCMA template contract, she does not actually charge the retainer fees they suggest. In summary, we are actually paying half of one full month’s fees as a retainer, and this will also cover the ‘settling in’ sessions before our daughter starts full-time when my wife goes back to work.

Big relief! Everyone is happy, we’ve paid the deposit and all set to go. Thanks for all the input …

pinkladyof66

Hi good to hear that we have also been asked to pay a retainer fee for a place starting september which amounts to 1 months money as our son will only be doing 2 half days it is only around £200.