Minimum Hours

[vik3000]

Does anyone else have minimum hours for their mindees that they will charge for?

I am still having problems with a particular parent and I have worked out that over July I have minded the children for 5 hours (per child).
One week was 45 mins another week was 2.5 hours and so on. I knew the parent was on variable hours but I never expect such minimal hours. Not to mention I still have to chase the hours she wants me for.

Am I being reasonable setting a minimum of 10 hours per week will be charged for, or if not wanted at all that week the retainer will be charged.

Thanks

[lorraine2767]

Hi

I charge a minimum of 8 hours per week and I got that from Angel on her, is the child under 5 or over because if it is under 5 you are holding a space for nothing really when you could fill it with somebody with more hours.

I would explain to the mother about the hours and see what she says, I personally would not bother as it is not worth it unless you bring in the minimum amount of hours she has to pay for.

I am sure the girls will tell you what they do, especially Angel as she gives really good advice.

Good luck

Lorraine xx

[vik3000]

Both the kids are over 5.

I was under the impression that I would have them most morning before school and/or most afternoons (at least 3 sessions per week) after school and then at least 3 days per week during school holidays.

Last week I requested of the mum 3 times what hours she needed me for this week, I eventually got a text saying that she doesn't need me. I have no idea what hours she needs me for next week. My policies state that I require hours for the two weeks coming (in writing). I done this as the parent is on variable hours due to shift patterns and college and tells me that she doesn't know more than two weeks in advance her schedules.
I have bent over backwards to accomodate this parent. I even set a flat rate of £10 per child for retainer as She reckon she could afford any more.

So if I don't set minimum hours do I set a higher rate of retainer? I can't even average the retainer rate as hours are so irregular and minimal. Is 10 hours minimum too much?

I am going to be dropping of a letter (with Julys' invoice) to her today and as the contract review is coming up I wanted to include revised fees, retainer and possible minimum hours.

[angeldelight]

Hello

Hope you are ok have not seen you around for a while

I do not think you are being unreasonable at all

I set a minimum of 8 hours

If someone calls me and only wants a few hours childminding I will not do it to be honest
2 or 3 hours childminding is no good to me
It is hardly worth the fees I receive from that plus it could be taking up valuable space for someone else

I usually get asked this for before or after school when they only want a few hours

So now I set it at 8 hours
I explain this on the phone before they even come and see me

Then if they do want less than 8 hours a week minding they know they have to pay for 8 hours to keep this place open

I have done it for a while now and I have never had one parent complain

Some of the others on here have told me they have now adapted the rule too like Lorraine

Hope it works for you too

Angel xx

[vik3000]

Hi everyone,

morning Angel

I haven't been around for a while, I have had my head buried in paperwork and the DHC and NVQ! I have put the DHC to rest till Sept now.

Can I ask why 8 hours Angel? I was going to set mine at 10 but I think 8 may seem more reasonable. I am giving this parent 4 weeks notice of the change and have invited her to an appointment so we can discuss the changes.

[angeldelight]

I think 10 hours would be fine too

Silly thing my friend was working in a supermarket and they told her that she could work no less than 8 hours - so I thought yes I should say that I will not either so that is how it came about

At least then even if they do not want that many hours at least you know where you are with your weekly or monthly money

One of my parents is at uni and does different hours every week - she sometimes only wants one hour or sometimes 3 hours sometimes 10 ( of course she pays extra for the extra 2 hours then )
Just so much more simple I know where I am with my wages this way

Hope it works out for you

Nice to see you in the forum hope we see a bit more of you now

Angel xx

[vik3000]

Thank you Angel.

Yes I am hoping to get on here a bit more now. The last few months have been frantic! Smallest child has been in hospital having his long awaited tonsils op - he is recovering well. The two days into the summer hols - eldest child broke his ankle!!!! Bless his heart. He is doing well though - is currently out on the bike!! He isn't supposed to be and think I can't see him - little does he know ;D

[angela234]

I charge in min of 2 hours a day

Angela

[michellethegooner]

I charge for the week contracted hrs whether they come or not so if parent says she wants before school and after schools most days but not all we agree a sum between £50 -£60 and they pay whether child attends or not I have 1 parent who normally only works 3 days a week but because she can sometimes end up working a 5 day week she pays the full week to secure her child's place I explained that I cant fill the space with a wks notice and she was happy with that...

but yes as a rule I would prob go for 8-10 hrs minimum hrs per wk

michelle

[Pauline]

No you are not being unreasonable Vik, they are taking a place that you can't let to someone else so they should pay whether or not they use it.

[susi513]

For shift workers I've put into my contract that if they haven't let me know which hours they DON'T need by the agreed day then they will be charged for the full reserved time.

I put into the contract the days/hours they want to reserve for their child - "Reserved Time Period" and when they have to notify me of the days they don't need. Then I bill them for full fees for the "Booked Time Period" (its not refunded if they drop off late/collect early or don't turn up) and 1/2 fees for the remainder of the reserved time period. Usually they have reserved full days so the minimum charge has been 1/2 x full day rate x days reserved.

For standard contracts I have a minimum charge of 4 hours per day for under 5s.

[vik3000]

Thats a good idea Susi.

Thanks all for your responses.

Its a bright warm sunny day here - hope its the same for all of you.