term time only, do I charge a retainer?

[mummylovatt]

Hiya, I'm fairly new to childminding and currently only have 1 little one with me, the end of this month I will be having a friends 3 yr old 3 full days a week and her other child after school for those 3 days both term time only, the thing is she is starting uni hence the need for childcare, I currently charge for parent holidays but dont know what to do with this? Do I charge her a retainer for the school holidays or try and fill those spaces with holiday care spaces? I really dont know what to do as her uni is funding her childcare so I presume they wont pay anything out of term time?
Thanks x

[JueQ]

I charge a half rate retainer fee for the hols. Basically, the hours they pay me in full, I charge exactly half the rate to keep their place open. Some parents have me in the hols so I charge accordingly and providing it is more than the retainer, I do not charge for the retainer. eg I have children 5 days per week term time but if I have them for 2 full days in the hols it will exceed the retainer fee so I do not charge for the other 3 days retainer even though I could with how my contracts are worded. I try to be fair to parents but make a living too.

[LittleLadybirds]

It will depend on her university course and circumstances as to whether uni will pay fees for holiday or not. she needs to check.

I have a new parent who starts on 1st Oct, and uni will pay for her fees during the holidays as well as termtime

[blue bear]

Just remember university have really long holidays, their terms are much shorter than schools.

[margaret]

I look after 2 children tem time only and uni pays my retainer,you have to get your parent to ask or do it yourself with mums permission .

[Zumba-mum]

I have a mind only 1 day awk term time so i just charged a higher rate, no retainer

[The Juggler]

i offer tt-o contracst BUT i specify that it is based on MY local authority and schools holidays (as lots of my parents work in private schools and other boroughs).

I think 13 weeks payment free is quite generous without adding in uni or private school holidays.