Term time only what should I charge??

[busybusybusy]

Hi everyone, my first time here so forgive me if I'm in the wrong place.
I've been asked to mind 2 children from same family, 1 at school full time and another 18 months parents are both teachers, they would not want care during hols, so my question is do i charge full fee for them both during holidays except the 4 weeks annual at half or should i charge a retainer? I've been bitten by this before had a child part time only 3 hours a day so charged nothing during hols then mum started full time and i didn't feel i could change the terms, of course I loose loads during hols now and don't want to make the same mistake. can anybody tell me what they think is fair.
Thanks

[deeb66]

Hi

I think most minders would agree that the general rule of thumb is to charge some form of retainer during the school holidays. I charge half fees but other minders charge a lesser amount - have you looked at what other minders do in your area.

Hope this helps

Dee

[deeb66]

Sorry - forgot to add

Welcome to the forum

Dee

[donnam]

Hi welcome to the forum,i would charge half fee during hols in order to keep open the place.
hope this helps.
Donna

[angela234]

Hi i look after 2 children from 1 family whos parents are teachers Mums only part time so i have 7 month old 2 full days and 3 year old just 5 hours a week(she goes the schools private nursery) i charge half fee for the holidays this works fine for me as i have siblings (school age) from my other children in the hols which keeps me busy.
Hope this helps and welcome
Angela

[susi513]

For under fives I have a daily rate of £32 or p/t hourly rate of £4.00. If they want a term-time only place they pay half fees to keep their place. As they are paying a retainer the place is available to them in the holidays if they want to book occasional days (eg, if mum has to go to medical appointment, training, hairdresser/beauty salon/shopping etc). They have to let me know before the beginning of the holiday if they need me and pay full fees for the time booked & half fees for the remainder of the reserved time period.

For over fives I charge session rates £4 for an hour before school and £12 for after school up to 6pm. They can choose to have a term-time only contract in which case they pay nothing for school holidays and do not have a place reserved during school holidays.

[busybusybusy]

Thanks, Dee, Donna, Angela and Susi

That's brilliant Thought half fee retainer was the general rule of thumb, so that's what I'll do. I'm ringing them now. could do with some newbies all my current charges start school in September so was looking at massive drop, funny how just as i start to think about changing jobs i get an enquiry. Once again thanks a lot ;D