Sibling rates?

[pirateship]

I'm hoping to be looking after a brother and sister before and after school. I have decided that I am charging £15 for a before and after school session.

However I'm not sure what to charge for two siblings - what sort of discount should I give? Is £25 for both about right? That would mean that one is charged full price at £15 per day and the other is £10. This works out at £500 pcm - seems quite steep?

The other problem I have is that the parent of the pair is my partner's best friend - should I do mate's rates as well? Maybe £20 for both? Works out at £400 pcm.

I'm stuck!

[lorraine2767]

Hi

I do mine as an hourly rate which is £4.00 for the first child and then £3.50 for the other.

I wouldn't do mates rates you will regret it I did that for my brother and regret it for 3 years as he took the p*** all the time.

It is your business so do what you are happy with.

I am sure others will help you out.

Lorraine xx

[susan]

I agree with Lorraine the only favour I do mates is i dont charge the £2 extra i usually charge to collect from school, not much but i am a business and have bills to pay too and dont forget that they will get at least 70% paid by there childcare tax credits so dont feel bad, I would charge what you usually do xxx

[andreaschildcare]

Hiya

I dont discount at all. They still take up a space!

[pirateship]

Yep, I pretty much agree with you all. I didn't want to put myself
into the position of doing mates rates, just felt a bit awkward asking
for the full amount, but I know I just have to bite the bullet. I'm
new to all this and need to feel more confident about my business.
Just seems quite a lot of money for one family. I'll just put it to him and then he can decide what he wants to do.

[rubybubbles]

I tend to charge my hourly rate too.

£3.50 1st child, £3.00 after so works out £6.50 per hour

Most older children go to the afterschool club as it's £5 from 3.15-5.30 I can't afford to drop down to that, specially with the amount the older ones eat

HTH

[miffy]

Hi

I used to do a discount for siblings but stopped that sometime ago because you only have so many places especially if the children are both under eight or only come part-time; on the other hand older children certainly eat a lot more and even if you charge extra for meals it rarely covers everything.

And as Susan says parents can get 70% of your fees paid so you might as well charge the going rate.

Miffy

[charleyfarley]

I offer 50p per hour discount for siblings but it's up to you what you do as I have done things differently in the past

Carol xx

[mel]

I too offer a 50p discount for siblings but it varies from minder to minder

Mel x

[polly2]

I used to offer 50p dicount for siblings - when first registered because it was a way of getting business.

Now I charge same rate, like everyone has said they still take up a place.

Your decision though

All the best
Hollyx