ADVISE PLEASE

[june]

I have a Parent who needs me 2 full days a week but theses can be any day Mon- Fri , but she only pays me for 2 days. What do you do in a situation like this ? Any advise would be great.
Thanks Carolyn

[susan]

Hi June

If it was me I would charge her for 5 days as she is asking you technically to keep the week free for her use .... therefore you will lose 3 days pay by having to turn other prospective parents away iyswim ? I is entirely up to you though, but thats how i'd do it. Explain why you would have to charge for the full week etc and if she's not willing to pay I would be inclined to invite her to see if she can be accomodated else where.... which i doubt without paying for it

Hope this helps

Susan xxx

[tasha]

Hi,
The same as Susan...if you are feeling ultra generous you could charge a retainer (50%) for three days & full price for the 2 days she uses, but if it was me I would charge full price for all 5 days.
Tasha

[june]

Thanks for that . I know in my heart of hearts what I should do, but people put on you don't they ? I used to have her daughter full time so I never had any problem before. Now I need to pluck up the courage to tell her. Wish me luck.
Caroline

[angeldelight]

Hi June

If I was having someone the same 2 days every week then I would be happy to do that and just charge for the same 2 days

She is being a little unfair if she expects you to keep the whole week free and for you not to know what days you will be having the child

Like the others say she could prevent you having another child

Think you might have problems getting a full weeks money from her though

You might need to chat with her and maybe work something out

Good luck let us know what happens

Angel xx

[june]

The problem is that I have been doing it for months now, so she thinks its her right now , but as you all say it is stopping me earning money when he is not with me. I could be earning more money.
Thanks for your advise girls nice to be able to "chat"about this sort of thing

[tasha]

Just tell her you are changing the way you are doing things to bring you inline with NCMA guidance...this is actually true!
Tasha

[lorri]

Hi

That's a really tricky one isn't because if you've been doing it already for her for a few months it's kind of set a precident of how it is.

I would tend to leave it for now myself unless I got an enquiry from a parent that would affect it and just accept that it's lessons learned if you see what I mean.

Lorri x

[lisaurry]

Hi June,

Why don't you tell her you've received a few enquiries about spaces, and that you are having to turn away children because SHE can't confirm what days she needs? Reverse it back on her - so she can see what she's doing by saying you need to keep week free.

That way, you haven't got to actually say you want to change it, just the fact that you have new parent enquiries?

Hope this helps
Lisa x

[angeldelight]

That is a good idea Lisa - just be careful though I have done this sort of thing in the past and it has backfired on me

We try to be nice dont we and it always backfires anyway and then we regret it

Good luck with whatever you decide to do

Angel xx

[lizzy]

i've had a similar problem with one of my mum's. i used to let her have a flexible place for her two boys when i first started minding but by the time she had her third i was full and was losing money so gave her the option of paying retainer or finding new minder or after school club. we sat down together and decided a fair compromise for both of us. she pays me for seven days a month full price( even if she doesn't use them) out of a possible twelve that are available to her but she has to give me her rota 6 months in advance (dad has twelve month shift plan) and i can sell the other days. does any of that make sense.
jane

[june]

Thanks for advise girls, I used to get her shifts weeks in advance now all I get is 2 weeks at atime if I push for them, she says she only needs me around her's, her husbands and her Mothers shifts!!!!It is hard enough working around 1 shift pattern let alone 3 . I'm trying to pluck up the courage to talk to her privately about it, not always easy with kids and family about, but I will try. Honest!!

[tasha]

Good luck!
Tasha

[sarsar3nch]

I think Lisa's idea is a good one

Good luck, we all need to stop being so nice (I need to take my own advice too!!)


Sarah