URGENT HELP - 2 HOURS A WEEK

[rasharoon]

Hi
Can anyone offer any guidance as I've a parent coming round tomorrow and I feel we have already got off to a bad footing re her child's hours.
From Sept through to end of Dec - I shall pick up 'D' at midday for his mum to collect at around 4.00/4.30pm (although she is dithering about her hours). From Jan '08, 'D' will go to school full-time. Now mum expects me to pick up but I've tried explaining (and I think very badly as my first time) that although I am happy to do this, he is infact taking up a space from January for the sake of an hour a day. I tried explaining that if another parent approached with a child the same age and wished me to have young 'billy bob' from breakfast through to say 6.00pm, I would earn more money rather than the £3.50 per day from 'D'.
My question is - if I had 'D' for only TWO hours a week, do I declare him on the attendance register or any other paperwork? I told 'D's mother that there is no problem with the holidays as two of the girls I will be looking after are term time only but as she is coming round tomorrow, I want to be able to phrase it right about how 2 hours a week works.
Can anybody explain.
Thank you.

[sarahnev707]

Ok - first the legal bit - if you don't put D down in your paperwork, you won't be insured for him - which is fine until something happens then you'll be in deep deep doodoo - esp as you're collecting from school, presumably crossing roads or putting him in the car etc. Also, if you are walking around with him you;ll be seen by someone who can count as over your numbers......

One way to get round it is to take him on, actively look for other work, then ask Ofsted for a variation for the hour you do for him in the interests of continuity of care (proving you are capable of caring for all the children for that hour)

Another is to decide on a price for after shool children - incl tea - say £7.50 or £8 per session and tell D's mum that you have taken advice, you are new to this and you have been advised by other childminders that is the going rate and what you are going to charge for an after school session which runs from your leaving the house, through pick up and tea up to 5.30 or 6pm depending on when you want to finish

When d's mum gets stroppy say sorry but you were a bit unsure about what was best but these are your new terms and conditions, made on advice and if she's not happy then she's best looking elsewhere

You are, after all, a business!

Hope this helps! Sarahx

[angeldelight]

Hi

I agree with what Sarah says

Personally I do not have any child for less than 8 hours a week
I decided to do this a few years ago when I got asked a few times to do school pick up for an hour or so here and there
It was just so pointless and what is the point of earning 3pound for an hour or 6 pound for 2 hours work
Even worse if you only have one child to mind

When I get parents call me and it is for a few hours each week I explain over the phone that I do no less than 8 hours childcare because it is not worth my while

So it works out like this - one little girl I have has been coming to me for 3 years
She is only here 3 hours a week
But parent pays for 8 hours because I work for no less

It works really well - right or wrong

I just got so fed up of people wanting an hour or 2 or 3 hours a week
It does not benefit us at all

So now by doing no less than 8 hours I know I have that income each week

It would not work for everyone and of course it depends if you can fit them around your other children
I have never ever had a parent say they would not pay it either

I also mind another little boy for 4 hours a week
They also have to pay me the 8 hours every week

Maybe you could do this for that parent - explain you work no less than 8 hours per child per week

Angel xx

[rasharoon]

Thank you both for your replies. Gives me a lot to think about tonight.
Just one quick question - because I have said I have no problem looking after 'D' during school holidays (which I don't as two girls I will be having are term time only), does this make a difference to anything?
As much as this is my first time in speaking to a parent about such matters, I know that this is also her first time of using a childminder so we are in a state of confusing each other.
I will let you know how it goes although not looking forward to this tomorrow.
Angel - with the two part-timers you have - what would you do if another parent came along wanting full-time care?
Rasharoon
x

[mel]

I think you have been given great advice. You are after all a business but I completely understand how daunting it is talking to a parent for the first few times when you are trying to learn as you go along.
I hope everything goes ok tomorrow and will be thinking of you. Let us know how it goes.

Mel x

[angeldelight]

I do have children that are full time but they leave at 3.30 when the other children arrive so it works out ok for me
They are here from 7 in the morning

Thats why I say it would depend on if it fits around the other children you mind

If I do have full time children and I can not fit part times around them then I just keep hold of the full timers

It is difficult really until you know what work you have or are going to get
So any work is always good for the time being I think

I mind 17 children now all at different times - some are full time and some are part time - it is just slotting them into place
I do have some over 8s though so they do not count in my numbers which is very lucky for me

Angel xx

[angeldelight]

Good luck for tomorrow let us know how it goes

Just be yourself and you will be fine

Angel xx

[banana]

think you have had some really good advice above.

let us know how it goes tomorrrow. good luck

xxx

[carolinel]

that's a really good idea Angel. the 8 hour rule. i will now do that if i ever get any enquiries!

[angeldelight]

It does sound a bit harsh but when you think of it what the hell can you do with an hour or 2 hours of work it is hardly worth it

I have been doing it for about 4 years now and it has never ever stopped anyone coming to see me - I have had lots of people pay the hours and now I have these 2 children that have been coming for the last 2 years and their parents have always paid for 8 hours even though both are here for less

It makes sense anyway to do this I think

Angel xx

[rasharoon]

Hi
Well thought I'd update you on my conversation this morning.
As much as I was dreading it, it all went OK.
I did lunch for us and then after that decided to talk business. I apologised for possibly looking like an idiot in not knowing what I was talking about and confusing her but did explain that although I've done the ICP, they don't tell you anything as to how to how you work out your charges etc.
I did though explain that I charge for a minimum of 8 hours a week and explained the reasons behind it but also gave her a benefit as to how it means she doesn't have to rush to pick up 'D'.
She seemed happy enough and understands but will speak to her husband. She did say that out of the 3 childminders she has seen, I've been the most thorough but I did joke with her as to how she has been my guinea pig.
She did also open up a bit and surprise surprise, if possible when there is a work meeting could I look after 'D' for longer than 5.00pm. I said yes - as long as I have availability.
I gave her a copy of my fees policy - is this OK to do?
We didn't do contracts - not enough time considering she was here for 3 hours!! She wants to come back though to make sure 'D' is happy which I suppose is a good thing.
Thanks all for advice and kind wishes.
Rasharoon

[banana]

glad it went well for you

x

[angela234]

Glad it all went well hope she signs contracts let us know
Angela

[angeldelight]

Glad it went ok for you and good for sticking to the 8 hour rule - earns you more cash !

I really hope she does sign contracts with you

Did you actually do her lunch ? Lucky parent - mine are lucky to get a drink and that is about it ha

Let us know how it goes

Angel xx

[janet]

brilliant xxxx

[Pauline]

Same here Angel, a drink is all they get, no lunch!

Glad things are going well, hope she sings up soon

[lorraine2767]

Hi

Glad things went well and I going to do that 8 hour rule from now no never thought of that before, thanks angel for that xxx

[rasharoon]

Yep - I actually did lunch. Nothing grand just a few ham and cheese sarnies and a fruit salad. She was ever so grateful and certainly tucked it away (lol).
Mind you, I had my youngest here (aged 4) who showed me up something rotten. Everything I asked him not to do - he did. Never mind as her Son wasn't much better.
Hopefully - happy days ahead.
Got another parent coming round next Tuesday about her two girls and this time I'll have to discuss retainer fees so I'll let you all know how it goes.
Thanks again for your support. Would be lost without you all.
xxx

[angeldelight]

Good luck lets hope it gets busy for you

You doing them lunch - how could they fail to turn you down - maybe you are blackmailing them with ham sandwiches

Hahaha

Angel xx

[mel]

glad to hear it all went well. I too am going to implement the 8 hour rule!

Mel x