What to charge in holidays and overnight

[clhome]

Hi all,
I'm just in the process of getting registered but already have 2 mums who want to use my services! One is one day a week and the other is one day a week plus extra days every month where she will need overnight care. Obviously they want to get sorted out and are asking me lots of questions about how it will work etc so I need to do some thinking.
Judging by what others are charging in the area, I'll probably chareg £3.70 ph.
One question: Do most people charge when the families are away - so a retainer fee? If so, is it, say, half the nomral fee or the nomral fee?
Another: For overnight care, should I be charging more or less than daytime care? The child will be a baby - 11 months - when I start so there's potential for getting up at night I supose though she sleeps through now. I heard that someone round here charges more per hour at night but that seems a bit strange to me as I'll be sleeping most of the time. What do you think?

Thanks for any help!
Clare

[Pauline]

Hi Clare and welcome to the forum

Lucky you getting parents already interested!

Most minders charge a retainer for holidays some charge full fee and some charge half fee, it's really up to you which you choose but certainly charge something.

You really must charge more than the normal daily rate for overnight care! You might be sleeping most of the time but you are still on call if that child needs you during the night.

Some people charge double the normal rate.

Hope that helps but I know there are people on here who do overnight care so I'm sure they will be able to give better advice than me.

[susi513]

I'm not registered for overnight but on my CCP course the tutor suggested we base our rate on hat of the nearest travellodge or similar, plus normal hourly rate for any additional hours.

[susi513]

oops. on THAT. We didn't discuss hats at any point ;D

[banana]

I charge £32 for an overnight stay which covers 12 hours. eg 7-7, outside of the 12 hours i charge normal hourly rate for example

6pm - 8am 12 hours +2 hours so £32 + £7