Just before I registered to become a child minder I went on an introduction workshop, where we were advised to take retainer fees from any prospective parents wanting our service
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When my registration was approved I began to advertise for children to look after.
Marketing your child minding business here.
I didn’t have the confidence at first to ask parents for a retainer fee and I thought that they may think that I was cheeky and so look elsewhere for childcare.
What to say at first child minding interview with parents here
As the years passed and my confidence grew, I began to get busy and loved my new vocation.
I used to collect a boy from my son’s school. His mother had a younger child and one evening when she collected him she mentioned that she was going to go to college as a way of changing her career, This wasn’t going to happen until the following term, so she asked if I would be able to take care of her daughter during the day, I had a space coming up from a child who was starting school so we made verbal arrangements.
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In the meantime I received several enquiries from parents that I turned down because I thought I was going to be full again.
A few weeks later the mum of the 2 children phoned to tell me that as her mother-in-law had offered to have her daughter she wouldn’t be needing me after all, I was annoyed because I had lost an income. but it was my own fault which I learned from:
The next parents who approached me were expecting their first child so I explained that I would require a retainer fee of 10% of the first week’s fees to keep the place for their baby, They were lovely and said that they would be happy to pay a month in advance if I would guarantee the place for them!
I would suggest to any child minders reading this that they charge a retaining fee and parents don’t be offended if your child minder asks you to pay a retainer fee.
As always questions and comments are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen
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Linked with
A retainer is money taken as compensation for loss of earnings whilst holding a space open. The space must be available and should parent want to use it at any time they must be able to just making up the full fee for the time used. It is not refundable. A deposit is paid to secure a future space and is generally held against future fees but lost should parent not take up the space.
Thanks for explaining this, Janette
I think it is utterly acceptable for parents to pay a retainer fee once they have decided on their childminder to ensure they commit to their decision xx #KCACOLS
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts, Dana
Sounds like a sensible idea – like a nursery needing a deposit I think? #mischiefandmemories
And #KCACOLS x
Absolutely, Hannaha
It’s the right thing to do and I feel confident that parents would be fine with that in order to keep the place for thier child in the future .
Thanks for leaving your thoughts, Pear
This seems perfectly reasonable to me. I understand that situations change and people might have to make other decisions but expecting you to lose all of the money from that particular time because of their circumstances doesn’t seem right either #mischiefandmemories
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jeremy
I would absolutely agree to pay a retainer/deposit for my child’s place. Though situations change it’s someone else’s livelihood. I would hate to waste someone’s time and prevent another child from having a place. Thank you so much for linking up with #KCACOLS
How much easier life would be if everyone thought like you, Katrina
Hi Karen, popping back from #mischiefandmemories xx
Childminding should require a contract agreement between both parties so that expectations are clear. I think a retainer is perfectly acceptable and sensible. Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAnd Memories
Absolutely, Laura, I always wrote out a contract as soon as the parents decided to use me for their childcare
Same too. We would also have paid some sort of retainer or deposit to secure a space with a childminder or playgroup / nursery. It also think it helps parents to feel secure knowing that a spot is saved for their child. Thank you for joining us for #mischiefandmemories
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts, Annette
I’ve never heard of that, but I imagine if you’re in demand, it would be annoying if someone cancelled and you couldn’t work that day. #KCACOLS