Fee advise please.

[lavendergirl]

I gave one of my parents her monthly invoice yesterday and she seemed very upset that I hadn't taken money off because her child is starting nursery this month.I explained to her that childminders still get paid while child is at nursery,I am the one who is having to walk him there and go pick him up too and also if he is ill or hurt it is me who will be the one to go and get him and deal with it.
She was none to impressed and just said'ahh ok' .I am expecting something to be said today at picking up time.
What do you all think,am I right and do you charge for nursery time?

Lavendergirl

[angeldelight]

Hi Lavendergirl

Welcome to the forum, I love your name !!

I think this is a very good question and I think it is down to personal choice

There is no right or wrong answer really

I have children whom go to nursery , maybe I am too soft ( I have been told that I am ) but I only charge for the time before they start nursery and then again from the time I collect them.
I do not charge for the time that they are at nursery but I know many childminders do.

If the child is ill during nursery hours then it is up to the parent to collect them, not me, after all why should I they are not in my care and I'm not getting paid.
If the parent calls me and wishes me to collect them early due to illness or closure of the nursery then of course they pay me

This arrangement has always worked well for me
It also allows me to have another child when the little boy is at nursery.

Did you make it clear before you gave the parent the invoice that nursery times would have to be paid to you?
If not then maybe that is why she is not happy?

Maybe you could compromise and say that you will not charge for this month when the child is at nursery but after that ( next month ) then your rules are that she must pay for these times!! I know you will be losing some money , but sometimes it is better to have a happy parent if you know what I mean ?

Good luck and let us know the outcome

Angel x

[Pauline]

Hi Lavendergirl

I think you are right to charge while the child is in nursery, all the minders I know do. (Angel is right, she is too soft ;D)

It is a different matter once a child starts 'big' school as they then will not count in your under 5's numbers but while at nursery they will, especially if you are responsible for them.

Explain to the parent that while the child is at nursery you can't take on another child because they still count in your under 5's numbers and even if they didn't the chances of finding anyone who would want a few hours of childcare everyday is very unlikely.

At the end of the day you are running a business and need regular income to keep it going.

It saddens me that parents question these types of payments because by the time you have walked to nursery spent time sorting them out and getting them settled then walked back home, it is almost time to go back again!! I'm sure they think that you just have a couple of hours of easy, feet up time!

If I were you I would write something into your welcome pack or policies so that in future it is clear to parents. You could also add it to the notes section of the contract of young children too.

Hope that helps. x

[angeldelight]

It has always worked really well for me because I have always had a child to mind during the 3 hours that the other child is at nursery

On saying that I do think you should take Pauline`s advice and I agree I do think parents take us childminders for granted.
You do need that money it is right that is your income at the end of the day and if you are not lucky enough to mind another child like myself then yes you should get paid

I would stick to your guns if I were you if she is unhappy I really doubt she will go somewhere else because most childminders will charge like yourself, rightly so

I guess I should make a new year resolution haha " Angel is going to get tough " haha

Good luck

Hope things are ok with you Pauline ?

xx

[Pauline]

angeldelight said:

I guess I should make a new year resolution haha " Angel is going to get tough " haha

Good luck

Hope things are ok with you Pauline ?

xx

But then you wouldn't be our lovely softie Angel would you? ;D

Things are OKish here. My brother needs another op today but hopefully it will be a short one, at least he got home for Christmas.