school holiday quandry

[mel]

Hi
Have just signed contracts with a mum for her 2 daughters. One is under 1 and will require 8am-4.30pm and the other is at preschool and will require 8am - 1pm (mum will pick up after preschool). Having just gone through all of the contract info with her, I have realised that during school holidays her eldest daughter will require care all day (same times as the baby). What should I do re charging her for this time for the rest of the year? I obviously can't hold a place open specifically for her for these few weeks if someone else approaches me about afternoon care.

We did agree that if anyone approaches me regarding afternoon care, I would contact her first to make sure that she definitely did not want to extend hours (the contracts don't start until Oct).

I know that this is a bit long winded but what do you think?

Mel

[angeldelight]

Hi Mel

Bit of a difficult one and I am not sure what everyone else would do

I am a bit of a softie though and like to work with what works for me rather than what is right if you know what I mean ?

I am in this situation myself

I care for 2 children who are brothers have the baby all day every day
The other boy for less like you would
I keep the place open for the holidays for him and yes he requires all day care like the baby then but not in term time

It works for me because I get a good income for the baby so want to keep the brother coming also
I usually have different children during holidays anyway

I guess you could keep it open for her and if no one approaches you for afternoon care then have her child

It depends what you want to do

I suppose I am lucky also because I have children that are just term time and some that are just holiday time and some that are all year round - it all fits in somehow

I do like to be flexible if I can and sometimes it is worth it if one of the children from the same family are with you full time

I think everyone else would do it different to me though

Angel xx

[sarahnev707]

I've always done part time and never expect to work every hour of every day - I just fill spaces as the right children come along....

And what with the paperwork, cleaning and doing courses etc I need some time during the week to remember who I am

Don't think I'm being helpful so I'll stop now!

Sarahx

[angeldelight]

No Sarah

I think you were helpful

I do more or less the same and if I get a good parent then I try to be flexible if I can

I always try to fit children around the ones I already have if I can and it does usually work out

Angel xx

[Pauline]

Hi Mel

I'd be inclined to charge for the whole day for the older one even though she goes to pre-school, there might be times when she needs care, i.e. if the pre-school closes for any reason.

I've got a lot tougher on fees than I used to be

[susi513]

For a child under five, I would give the parent these choices:-

a) pay for a whole-year place to reserve a place for the sole use of her child. (You might consider charging a lower rate during term-time) You could say to the parent that this charge will be waived if you are able to fill the place with a term-time only child or for any period where you use the place to provide cover for another childminder, for example). Also this means she has a place if the preschool is closed for staff training, or unplanned closures such as boiler breakdown, heavy snow, staff strike etc.

b) paying for the place on an ad-hoc basis - making a separate booking each time it is needed. There would be no guarantee of a place at all, she would be taking a chance on your availability as you would not be able to exceed the required child ratios under any circumstances. This is simply making use of your vacancies if and when you have them.

[banana]

peronally i would charge her if and when she needed the care.

i would explain that if she did not want a garunteed place then that was fine but you may not be able to take the child for the full days should you fill the position. if you have the space available then thats ideal for the parent. but if she isnt paying a retainer for that time then you end up out of pocket,

i guess you have to decide if you will be happy doing it on an adhoc basis and if you are then what you have talked about is fine.

its a personal choice and if you are happy then thats the important factor

x

[mel]

Thanks for all you rreplies. I don't think it helps that I haven't done a contract before and the mum hasn't used a childminder before! I'll have to contact the mum and see whether she is either happy to pay all year round or take her chances with the holidays.

Thanks again

Mel x