Charging for Food

[billie]

Hi everyone I'm new to this and have my first (interview) with a parent tomorrow. The only thing I'm not sure on is charging for food. i will be charging an hourly rate of £3.50 and will have a 3 yr old from 11.30am when i collect him from nursery and then will collect his 8 yr old brother at 3.30 and then have them till 6pm if the parent doesn't supply snacks for the children can i charge for a food fee and if so how much would you suggest to be a reasonable amount to ask?

Hope you can help

Billie

[banana]

Hi billie

welcome to the forum.

Im just on my way to bed but quickly answering as your meeting is tomorrow so sorry its brief.

Most minders I know include food in their pricing. I charge £3.50 an hour and it includes the childs food.

It can depend on what area you are living in as to what prices are seen as competitive so you want to be careful also that you are not overcharging if you charge extra for food. Some minders may add £1.00 a day extra for food. Really it is personal choice and what you are happy with charging. But if it is your first meeting then you do not want your prices to be more expensive than other minders unless you are maybe offering a specialist type of menu??

Sorry its brief but in answer to your question I would have thought for £3.50 an hour most parents will expect food to be included, but this is someting you can negotiate. I dont know any minders charging £3.50 who dont include meals.

x

[angeldelight]

Hi Billie

A very warm welcome to the forum hope you enjoy it here we are a friendly bunch if you come and look in the lounge you will see

My childminding fees are £3 an hour

I charge £1 per meal -
Breakfast = £1
Lunch = £1
Dinner - £1

Yes I add it on to the fees if they do not want it then that is up to them

Snacks like fruit and drinks when they get in from school I include in my price

Hope that helps

Angel xx

[sarah3339]

Angel,
Do you still charge them even if they don't have the meal(s) that day?

Sarah x

[janet]

HI BILLIE I DO THE SAME AS LANA ALMOST 3.50 PER HOUR I INCLUDE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH I CHARGE 75P FOR TEA, ON MEETING THE PARENTS I TELL THEM WE HAVE TEA AT 5 IF THERE CHILD WISHES TO HAVE TEA IT IS 75P MOST PARENTS GO FOR THIS XX

[angeldelight]

Hi Sarah

I do not charge for meals if they do not have them no

Angel xx

[rainbowmum]

I include all meals and snacks in my price to encourage parents to have my food - otherwise they all have different things & invariably some one will sulk because they want another childs food!

[deeb66]

Hi

Like Sharon I do not charge any extra for food - but then we have got a high hourly rate in my area and do not think it fair to charge for food on top of that.

Dee

[susi513]

I prefer to give parents the choice - just like school dinners (only much better!).

Breakfast £1.25
Lunch £1.40
Dinner £1.80

They can bring pack ups or book my meals and chop & change as much as they like as long as they tell me the week before.

Snacks & drinks included in normal fees, but parents can provide their own if they choose.

[tasha]

Hi,
I charge £1.50 for meals and £1 for snacks or parent can provide food themselves if they prefer. Some have breakfast and tea, but parents provide packed lunch and snacks. Again they can chop nd change as much as hey want as long as given 24 hours notice.
Hope this helps for furure lients
Tasha

[deeb66]

Although I would never refuse to give a child food that the parent brought I prefer that they all eat the same otherwise I find it causes problems - this is another reason why I don't charge for food.

Dee

[tasha]

Hi,

Admit the way I do things can make mealtimes complicated as children sometimes are eating different things and always want what the other is eating! Having said that one Mum sends her little girl for 11/2 hours a week, just so that she has dinner with me (she loves my fish pie and is the only fish she will eat - looked after her as amergency cover when I first got registered). Don't think would have been worth my while if I didn't charge for meals. It's swings and rounderbouts really!

x

[susi513]

I give parents the choice too. they can book meals;
Breakfast £1.25
Lunch £1.40
Dinner £1.80

or bring their own. Snacks & drinks are included in fees.

I ask parents to let me know the week before if they want to book or cancel a meal so I have time to shop & prepare.