retainer fee?

[supermumy]

hi

i may be due to take on a child but not until september

i have never had to do a retainer fee before as they have started within the month today at a childminding group i go to some other childminders have told me it is half of the normal fee but i can not see any parent that would be willing to pay £75 a wk for the next 4months???

what is everyones views on this and how do you do things

thanks

[Mrs.L.C]

DO IT lol

I have learnt a valuable lesson where I waited a few months for a child to start and didnt ask for a retainer, turned down work, and then last minute they didnt start.

I now say to parents to guarentee the place they need to pay it or it could be offered to someone else who wants the space sooner. Its a risk the parents will take if they dont/cant pay a retainer

If a parent cant pay it then I say I will let them know if I get any other enquiries in the mean time and they can re assess what they want to do

[supermumy]

wow so parents do pay it then??

do you charge half fee??

thanks for your reply

[candy cat]

my parent has paid one for 8 mths.....she was happy as she didn't have to pay a huge deposit......if she doesn't want to pay then you could say to parent i will pencil you in and if I get other enquiries then you will have to decide if she wants the place.....good luckx