Scale of fees – Guidelines 2010
next fee increase due in January 2011 (approx)
Contracted hours
Basic rate £3.50 per hour
Term-time only £3.75 per hour
Unsocial hours £4.80 per hour
(before 8am or after 6pm/Weekends/Bank holidays)
Reduced rate for more than one child from the same family.
Eldest child (when they attend at the same time) £3.00 per hour*
*Applies to Standard contract only - not applicable to term-time only*
Minimum weekly hours/fees - (whether place used or not):
We appreciate that this is not always consistent with the hours you require, but we are restricted to how many children we can care for and may not be able to fill the remaining time with another child, or it may prevent us from accepting another child who would need the hours you were using in addition to other days/hours, so a minimum fee is necessary.
Under 5's 20 hours/£70.00
Before and after school 5 - 7 years 10 hours/£35.00
8 years & over (when place available) 5 hours/£17.50
Charges for absence - Standard contract
If a bank holiday falls on a contracted day Full fee
Due to child/parent/guardian illness/occasional days off Full fee
Due to childminder illness/occasional days off No charge
Childminder paid time off/Holidays* Half fee
Parent/Guardian holiday * Half fee
* 4 weeks per year
Transportation costs:
Taking to/collecting from school/home/club etc., = 35p per mile + £3.50 per hour of journey time. (i.e. journey 2 miles each way and takes 20 minutes = £2.57)
Local school, within short walking distance - No charge.
Retainer Fees:
This is equal to half the normal fees payable, and is paid in order to secure a place for future use and prevent it being offered to another child who may take it immediately. These are not a credit towards future childminding fees and will not be returned if the place is not taken up.
For example: fees payable to secure a place for use in 6 weeks time = 6 weeks fees ÷ 2
Payment
Payment should be made in advance, especially if paying by cheque.
Although you may pay weekly in arrears, if you are paying in cash.
In the case of arrears arising, I reserve the right to refuse childcare for your child until all outstanding fees are paid in full.
I also reserve the right to add interest to arrears not paid at the agreed time. (usually 5% per week, but you will be advised of this before the charge is made, to give you time to pay. We do understand that sometimes there are exceptional circumstances)
Holidays
Parents or childminders holidays will need 4 weeks notice given from either party (the more notice the better).
Terminating the contract
Please be aware that contract termination will need 4 weeks notice from either party or 4 weeks fees in lieu of notice.
Detailed statements are provided every 1-2 months to help you keep track of your costs and payments, etc.
Receipts are provided on request.
We prefer that payments are paid in advance - either by cash, cheque or bank credit.
Payments made in arrears must be paid in cash or BACS/Bank credit.
Thank you
