4 week settling in

It is perfectly normal for the relationship between the child, childminder and parents to take a while to settle down so I like to provide a 4 week settling in period. Within this time any problems or concerns that arise can be dealt with.

If the child is unusually unhappy or the parents have any concerns then the placement can be ended without the usual notice given - but the bill of arrears to be paid within 3 days of the contract ending.  Any retainer fees or deposit will not be returned under these circumstances.

Deposits

A deposit is a one off payment to show the intention to take up a place at a future date. If the child does not take up that place then the deposit will not be returned but will be refunded if the place is made unavailable by me. The deposit per child will be £100.


Retainer fees

A retainer fee is charged when a childminding place is being reserved for a particular child. This is because I would lose potential income for that place. Retainer fees keep the place available for use at anytime during what would be their normal contracted hours.

My retainer fee will be 75% of the hours you require. If the child comes during their retained hours then the usual fee would be charged instead of the retainer fee.

A retainer fee is not a credit against future childminding and will not be returned if the place is not taken up, but will be refunded if the place is made unavailable by me.

Contracted hours

These will be the hours we have arranged and the hours you have paid for in advance. I can do overtime at my usual rate with notice but only if my numbers allow it. Any unauthorised hours will be charged at a higher rate (please see fees).

Please note that once the contract is signed the first week of contracted hours will need to be paid for in advance before the first day of childminding commencing.

If you need to change you child's contracted hours I will need a minimum of 4 weeks notice. If you would like to increase you child's hours I can usual do this with little or no notice so long as my OFSTED numbers allow.


Occasional minding

This is when you use my services outside your child’s normal contracted hours, for example 2 hours while you have an appointment. This would need to be arranged in advance and would be dependent on my numbers at that time. A slightly higher rate is charged (see fees). If all you want is occasional minding you can sign a contract to that affect.

School holidays

I do not charge a higher rate for children during school holidays unless it falls upon a public holiday, unsociable hours or occasional minding (see fees). If you need me to look after any children who would normally be in school then this would need to be arranged in advance and won’t always be possible due to my Ofsted numbers. If all you need is term time hours then I charge a half fee during the holidays to keep the space available and you will get priority over school holiday bookings.

Public holidays

My services will not be available on public holidays even if your contracted hours fall on these days but the usual fee will still be charged. I can work but it would be at a higher rate than usual (see fees) instead of the contracted amount.

I do not expect you to pay at all if I take anytime off due to sickness or holidays and I do not include an element of paid time off in my hourly rate. If I cannot offer you my service then I do not charge!

If I need to take any time off I will try to give you 4 weeks notice of the date and provide you with numbers for alternative care.

If your child is sick or you take a holiday then my service will still be available to you so the usual contracted hours will be charged.


Giving notice

4 weeks written notice needs to be given by either side if intending to terminate services to give the other an opportunity to find either alternative care or an alternative child to fill the place.


The child does not have to attend during this time but the fee for the contracted hours will still be charged - as stated in the contract (enforceable in court).

If for any reason I can not continue to offer your child a place then only the hour’s worked need to be paid for.