Advice re holding space
Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  3
Dislikes Dislikes:  0
Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    On another planet !!!
    Posts
    2,693
    Registered Childminder since
    June 09
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Advice re holding space

    Hi

    I have a parent asking for childcare for next year. Do you charge to hold a space? Looking at March time. I know some charge and then refund. But If I hold and charge half fees I will be looking at around £1000.00 to be refunded if I did this that's like 3 months fees. I know the family as currently caring for a family member and I'm happy to hold space without any charge at the moment. Can afford to do this at the moment and not looking at filling the space either at this time. However I was thinking of charging £50.00 non refundable for Jan and Feb. Just to hold space and to cover myself.

    What do you all do ?

    Thank you x

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    By the sea
    Posts
    9,334
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    In situations like that I charge a £100 non-refundable deposit that holds the space until an agreed date. The deposit is then deducted from the first month's fee. The only time I'll do it though is if I know I'll have a space becoming available when it's needed (ie. a child leaving when the new one is due to start). I won't do it if I have a space I want to fill now, or might want to fill sooner. In those cases I tell parents to get in touch nearer the time.

  3. Likes loocyloo, It's a small world liked this post
  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    2,868
    Registered Childminder since
    Nov 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I'd just ask them to hold on until 12 wks before start. Pacey contracts say they should not be done before 12 wks. Anything could happen- you may be happy to leave the space open at the moment but what if another child unexpectedly leaves, you could be needing to take on another family quickly and need this space to allow for siblings or flexibility of days etc. Things happen, work changes, family circumstances change.
    I have done this before and we waited the few months- we just kept in touch to reassure each other we are still interested and at 12wks did contracts and a deposit as usual.

  5. Likes It's a small world liked this post
  6. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    On another planet !!!
    Posts
    2,693
    Registered Childminder since
    June 09
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by moggy View Post
    I'd just ask them to hold on until 12 wks before start. Pacey contracts say they should not be done before 12 wks. Anything could happen- you may be happy to leave the space open at the moment but what if another child unexpectedly leaves, you could be needing to take on another family quickly and need this space to allow for siblings or flexibility of days etc. Things happen, work changes, family circumstances change.
    I have done this before and we waited the few months- we just kept in touch to reassure each other we are still interested and at 12wks did contracts and a deposit as usual.
    January is 12weeks before. What deposit do you take and is it non refundable? Xx

  7. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    2,868
    Registered Childminder since
    Nov 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by It's a small world View Post
    January is 12weeks before. What deposit do you take and is it non refundable? Xx
    Depends on the size of the contract, but usually a deposit equal to 4 weeks fees and refunded when childcare place taken up.

  8. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    4,126
    Registered Childminder since
    sep09
    Latest Inspection Grade
    outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    4 weeks deposit , kept until the child leaves ( covers against leaving without paying 4 weeks notice xx

  9. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    at my computer, of course
    Posts
    4,986
    Registered Childminder since
    Nov 11
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I’ve never entirely understood pacey's 12 week rule.

    I’m taking enquiries for September 2020. There are now only two EY childminders in the village, and we both have waiting lists, so anyone wanting a place in 12 weeks around here can forget it.

    OTOH some CMs I know in other parts of the county have the opposite problem. If they sent an enquirer away without a contract they’d lose the business. The parents would simply go to another setting who’d happily sign them up in advance.

    I take a £50 non-refundable deposit, and return it once they’ve completed a full month here. I should probably take more. For me it’s not about lost potential earnings while a space lies vacant. It’s the cost and hassle of setting up visits, paperwork, etc. as well as the huge inconvenience of turning away other people then the 'client' doesn’t start.

 

 

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Quick Links and Advertisements

Important Information Links
Some Useful Quick Links
Advertisements

 

You can also find us on:
Advice re holding space Advice re holding space Advice re holding space

We use cookies to make this site as useful as possible. They are small text files placed in your browser to track usage of our site but they don’t tell us who you are.
By continuing to use this site you are consenting to cookies being placed on your computer. Find out more here: Cookies in Use

Childminding Help and the Childminding Forum are part of Childcare.co.uk