Fee Policy
Here you'll find all the key information regarding my fees. If there are any questions, please don't hesitate in contacting me.
My standard hours for work are 7:30 – 18:00 Monday to Friday. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have a special request.
Hourly Rate - Under 5's
£6.50 p/h
Includes:
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Breakfast
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Dinner
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2 x healthy snacks
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Wipes & Nappies (However, if you know your child is allergic to any brand in particular, then I will ask you to provide these)
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Entrance to Baby & Toddler Groups
Any fees due over and above your contracted hours will be calculated and invoiced to you.
Before and After School Care
£6.50 p/h
Includes:
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Breakfast and Dinner
Retainer Fee
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4 x Weeks
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A Retainer Fee will be charged to secure your child’s place in my Childminding service.
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The Retainer Fee is charged at 4 x weeks of your child’s scheduled hours. This is NON-REFUNDABLE*.
* % refundable in the event of a cooling off period
Settling-In Sessions
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FREE
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Settling in sessions will increase over the course of 1 week before the child starts. Before these sessions, the Retainer Fee must have been paid and all forms signed.
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Settling In Sessions are not charged
Settling in sessions:
o Day 1- An hour (with parent)
o Day 2- 2 hours (without parent)
o Day 3- ½ day (without parent)
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE IN CONTACTING ME.
Further Information
Cooling Off Period
If you find that my setting isn’t the right fit for you and your child, then there is a 4 week cooling off period in which I will return monies from Retainer Fee for hours not used in those 4 weeks*.
* % refundable in the event of a cooling off period
How to pay
Fees are to be paid:
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In cash, childcare vouchers or standing order/bank transfer
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In advance, on a monthly basis
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On the day/date agreed in your contract.
All contracted hours must be paid in full regardless of attendance.
Late Payment of Fees
I work as a childminder because it is a career I enjoy, however this is my income and like you, I have bills and expenses to pay. Therefore, I would be grateful if you could ensure prompt payment of fees.
If I have not received payment within seven days of the due date, I will issue you with a polite reminder.
If I have still not received payment by the 10th day following the original invoice, 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.
If, at this point, I have still not received payment, I reserve the right to cease minding your child with immediate effect and seek legal advice. This may result in you being summoned to attend a hearing at County Court and if the judge finds in my favour, you will also be liable to the Court for costs.
If you have had a change in personal circumstances and are now 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.
Illness/Holidays
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Illness - (me/my child): no fees apply
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Illness - (parent/children): full fees apply
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Holidays/Occasional days off - (Me): No fees apply
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Holidays/Occasional days off - (children): Full fees apply
Subsidised Fees
In the situation where childminding fees are to be paid or partially paid by a third party, e.g. relative, employer or college/university, the third party will be issued with a copy of the contract.
Invoices will be issued to you and it is your responsibility to ensure fees are paid promptly as agreed in your contract.
Where fees are paid or partially paid by a college/university, it is your responsibility to pay during holidays (Easter, Summer, October and Christmas) plus any in-service days. If your fees subsidy is stopped for any reason, it is your responsibility to pay all fees.
Ultimately, it is the parent's responsibility to ensure fees are paid.
Do you know that you might qualify for Tax Credits? You could be entitled to help with the cost of your childcare.
Annual Leave
I may take up to 4 weeks of holidays per year unpaid. I will be closed between Christmas and New Year. I work 48 weeks a year, 5 days a week, and will try to take my holidays during school holidays. However if I don’t choose to take holidays then I will remain open through the school holidays.
I am flexible and would like to work with parents to find the best situation for both parties.
Notice for Holidays and Occasional Days, for myself or Parents/Children, must be given at least 4 weeks before intended holiday period.
Bank Holidays- I am not open and if your child’s day happens to fall on a Bank Holiday, it is not chargeable. I am willing to support parents, and if Bank Holiday cover is needed, then I can be flexible. Bank Holiday rates will be Time and ½.
Term time is as dictated by the Local Authority (West Sussex) and the dates can be found here: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/school-term-dates/
