Deposits and settling in
Deposits
A deposit is a one-off payment from parents to show their
intention to take up a childminding place. It is usually refunded
to parents by being deducted from the fees once the childminding
arrangement begins.
The deposit is not usually returned if you decide not to take up
the childminding place. However, if the childminder cannot, for
some reason, take on your child as previously agreed, they should
refund the deposit in full. Details of the deposit should be
included on the contract.
Settling-in period
It is perfectly normal for the relationship between the child,
the childminder and the parents to take a while to settle down.
NCMA recommends that there is a two- to four-week settling-in
period, and that this should be noted in a separate area of the
contract. If the child is unusually unhappy during this period, the
contract may be ended without the usual notice period.