Fees Policy- New

Fees policy.

We work as a registered childminder’s as we enjoy caring for children and supporting their development.  Like you, we have bills and expenses to meet each month and therefore require a regular income. We would be grateful if you could ensure that you are prompt in paying your monthly invoice.

Please be aware that you are paying for a space to be available for the hours and days specified on your contract.  If I am available to work on your contracted hours/days, then the fees will be payable.  If I am unable to work due to holiday or sickness, then no fees will be due.

Holidays

I don’t charge for any holidays I take.  If you need to use one of my back-up childminders for holiday cover you would pay them direct.

Any holiday you take will be charged at full rate – you are paying to reserve your contracted hours and not for your child’s attendance.

Late Collection

I appreciate that there will be times when you are late due to unforeseen circumstances and I will of course continue to care for your child.  A text is sufficient to let me know and give an estimated time of arrival.  I hope you understand that additional charges may be applicable if this becomes a regular occurrence.

Late Drop Off/Early Collection

It is no problem if you want to drop off later/collect earlier than your contracted hours.  However, you will still have to pay for your contracted hours.  I will always be at home when a child is due to be dropped off or collected but outside these times, you may have to come to where we are.  It is not fair for the other children to miss out on our regular groups or cut short an outing because your child will be dropped off late/collected early.

Ad Hoc Additional Hours

I always strive to be flexible.  If the space is available and I don’t exceed the number of children I am registered to care for, I am happy to accommodate extra hours and/or days. Additional hours should be requested at least 48 hours in advance and, if agreed, these will be charged for even if the child is dropped off later and/or collected earlier as I will have planned my day around the agreed times.  There is no problem if you need your child to come for hours outside your contracted hours and I will always try to accommodate extra days/hours where I can.  However, I would be grateful if you could please try to arrive and collect at the times we have agreed.

Illness

I will not charge you if I or one of my children are ill and I cannot work.  If you are happy for one of my back-up childminders to care for your child, then you would pay them direct.

Child Illness

If your child has sickness; diarrhoea or anything infectious as listed in the sickness policy, I will not be able to look after them until 48 hours after the illness.  You will be charged when your child cannot attend due to illness.

Late Payment

If I have not received payment on the due date, I will issue you with a polite reminder after 5.30pm . If I have still not received payment by the 2nd day following the original date agreed (last working day of each month or agreed date by parents) , I reserve the right to make an additional charge ‘Late Payment Fee’ of £5 per day to cover any bank charges I may have incurred for up to 7 days. At this point, if I have still not received payment, I reserve the right to cease minding your child with immediate effect and seek legal advice from the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years’ (“PACEY”) Solicitors. This may result in you being summoned to attend a hearing at County Court and if the judge finds in my favor you will also be liable to the Court for costs.

If you have had a change in personal circumstances and are struggling to make payments, please let me know so we can make suitable arrangements. It may be that you are now entitled to additional funding through the Childcare element of the Working Tax Credit and other benefits.

Policy Created – 14.1.18
Reviewed Date – 1.1.2022