HELP PLEASE!!

[sj]

I have a lady calling me this evening regarding looking after her 14mth old daughter for 2 days a week 11am-5.45pm - I have set my charges at £19 per day but this is from 8am. I am thinking of reducing the rate to £15 as its not quite a full day. Also she wants me to collect her twin boys from school and have them from 3.15pm-5.45pm, is it unreasonable to charge her £7 per child for an afterschool session. I would usually charge £9 for after school session but thought I would give a discount as I will be having all of her kids!
Would you do this?

[manjay]

Personally I think you may be doing yourself a bit short there! In effect the baby will be taking an under 5 space for the whole day and £15 seems really cheap (Maybe because my daily rate will be nearer £30)

I have also decided not to offer discount for siblings as they are still taking spaces.

So I suppose it is all down to how much you want/need the business and whether having three paying mindees albeit at a reduced rate is better than not having them.

Sorry I don't think that is much help. Just my opinion. I am sure some of the older (not in age, before you say anything) minders will give you the benefit of their experience.

Amanda xx

[angeldelight]

Hello Sam

Like Amanda said it depends on how much you need the work

I charge £3 an hour not sure how much you charge

So if it was myself I would ......

Charge for the baby 11am till 6pm = £21 per day

For the twins I would charge from 3 till 6 ( I always charge by the hour )
I would charge the £9 an hour for each child
No doubt you will be providing drinks and a snack when they get in from school?
Also their tea - not sure if you charge extra for this - I do

I do usually give a discount if I am having a few members of one family - but not if it is only for a few days

I think you have to do what it best for yourself but do not undercut yourself too much unless you are desperate for the work

Good luck

Angel xx

[rubybubbles]

I always uses to do discounts but now I don't (getting tough!!)

I'm a £3.60 per hour, NO special day rates/weekly rate ect. £19 per day is very low in this area most childminders are £4 - £4.50 per hour!!!

Do bear inmind how much the older children eat , I've stopped doing school runs (mainly because dh is away so easier than 6 kids!) because I really lost out on money feediong them! So stick to your normal fee.

But it's your business and you choice, but remember you have to work really hard and you deserve to charge for it!

rant over sorryxx

[minniemoo]

hi i only give discounts if its for 2 children for full days, but thats just me i do think that you shouldn`t discount the little one and the boy or like others have said it`s going to eat into you profits litrally
anne-marie x

[janet]

i dont give any discounts either i charge £3.50 per hour and a minimum of 2 hours after school xxxxx

[lorraine2767]

I charge £4.00 an hour and I have decided any new ones I am not giving discount anymore, as most of the childminders around me don't anymore.

I have one after school starting next week and he will be with me from 3 to 6 so I decided to charge £4.50 an hour as I do not normally work until 6. Well I have got 3 after schools starting not looking forward to it as I have never done after school before.

It is up to you at the end of they day.

Lorraine xx

[miffy]

Hi

£19.00 for a full day seems cheap anyway and as you couldn't fill the couple of hours before this child arrives at 11am I wouldn't discount it.

With the twins £7.00 for 2 1/2 hours is cheap especially if you are feeding them. I think you'd be better to charge your normal rate for each child.

Don't forget parents may be getting help with their childcare costs.

But it does depend how much you want the work.

Good luck I hope it goes well for you

Miffy

[michellethegooner]

I personally would be charging full daily fee for the baby as he is taking a full time place. I have a girl who I pick up from nursery at noon and have her till 5.pm and mum has to pay me daily rate 8am-6pm as I wouldnt get another child in those spare hrs.

as for the twins I dont offer discounts on part time vacancies.

Have you asked the parent is she is receiving help e.g family tax credit.

michelle
good luck

[buildingblocks]

I charge an hourly rate and don't do daily rates, etc.

I charge two different fees £3 an hour over 20 hours a week and £3.25 for under 20 hours. I charge a slightly higher rate for after schoolers with a minimum of three hours. (if they attend full time during hols then it is the hourly fee of £3/£3.25).

I used to do sibling discounts but learnt the hard way that they eat more and as has been said they take up a full fee space.

As has been said though you do what is best for your business.

love Kate