Charging during school hours

[rasharoon]

Hi
I'm new to this and am just awaiting my registration certificate.
I've been lucky enough to have enquires and the parents wish to place their children with me (yippee) starting from September.
Anyway, as the children will be going to school from 08.45 until 3.15 do I charge for the time they are at school?
I just feel that I'll have the children for breakfast and then 6 hours of not earning money until it is time to pick them up from school to give them their tea.
Really appreciate your help.
Thank you.

[sarahnev707]

Personally I don't charge while they're at school - I take on part-time little ones during the day to make up the ££ - although if you are the emergency contact I think you have a right to charge 'just in case' you have to go and get them - you will be organising your day stay close after all

great to hear you've got children ready to start... I've got vacancies again

Hope this helps! Sarahx

[donnam]

No you would not normally charge when children are at school,as you fill in these hours with little ones.
Donna

[deeb66]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

No I would not charge whilst the child is at school - you will find that almost every childminder wouldn't.

You would however charge if the child was under 5 and was at Nursery sessions either in mornings or afternoons.

Hope this helps

Dee

[rasharoon]

Thanks for your replies. It does help.
I suppose I'm worrying about how I will fill the spaces when the older ones are at school but don't suppose I know till I start advertising as to what people's needs are.
One local childminder I know has a 6 month waiting list so hopefully, there will be some business for me.
Bet I shall be posting quite a lot on here now that I've discovered you all.
Thanks.

[nannan]

HI
no like Dee says you wouldnt charge for children of school age, I have a mindee starting full time school in September, which I have minded since last September and will only charge for before and after school hours. for her, unless she is on an inset day then I will be able to charge for the time I look after that child.
Mandy

[susi513]

While an older child is at school, you still have your vacancies for babies/preschoolers.

I do charge for time at school for under fives when they are not attending full time school they are taking up an under-fives space. So I charge just the same as I do while they are at preschool.

Once they are attending school full-time I charge session fees instead of an hourly rate, so they don't pay while child is at school but it works out at a higher hourly rate than the younger ones.