Carpet Monkeys
23-11-2009, 08:33 PM
OK, I'm still pre-reg and have a lady coming to see me this week for care to start in February. I am so confused over retainers/deposits!
1. As I'm still pre-reg am I right in thinking I can't ask her for a retainer/deposit?
2. Once my registration comes through can I then ask her? But what would it be a deposit or retainer?
3. What's the difference between retainer/deposit?
chewy sweets
23-11-2009, 08:35 PM
I think you can take a deposit. But you can't look after her child or start settling in before your registered. But i don't see why you can't take a deposit now! I may be wrong. I'm sure someone else will post their opinion as well! :thumbsup:
Chatterbox Childcare
23-11-2009, 08:37 PM
OK, I'm still pre-reg and have a lady coming to see me this week for care to start in February. I am so confused over retainers/deposits!
1. As I'm still pre-reg am I right in thinking I can't ask her for a retainer/deposit?
You cannot charge a retainer until you have a place to retain and that means being registered
2. Once my registration comes through can I then ask her? But what would it be a deposit or retainer?
This is up to you.
3. What's the difference between retainer/deposit?
A retainer is an amount paid to hold a place - no refunds or credits. A deposit is money held on account and usually credited against the first invoice
Daftbat
23-11-2009, 08:58 PM
I would just add to Debbie's comments. A retainer is used to secure a place which cannot then be offerred to someone else. A deposit is a one off payment which secures a starting date but allows you to make use of the space in the meantime. Retainers are normally paid weekly or monthly.
e.g. I have one mum on retainer at the moment who is on maternity leave. I have a second one who is also on maternity leave but another customer is using her spaces on a temporary contract and therefore i am not charging a retainer to this mum at the moment as the space is not available.
Debbie is right though that you can't charge anything until you are registered.
You are viewing an archived version of the Childminding Forum, brought to you by Childcare.co.uk