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Post by rasharoon on Nov 12, 2007 20:48:38 GMT
Hi A quick query if anybody can help me. I'm due to renew a contract which will decrease from 4 hours per day to one hour per day (4 days a week). When myself and the parent agreed the contract that is now in place, I did state that for the one hour a day (at £3.50), this amount wasn't worth my while so my policy states that I charge a minimum of 8 hours per week per child (which the parent is aware). My question is, how do I lay out the contract? As it stands now, the little boy is picked up at 4.00pm and I've had him since midday. When he goes to school full time from January, I will pick him up at 3.00pm. Is it that I request the parent to still pick up at 4.00pm or do I have to hold onto him until 5.00pm - as in my mind it works out that for 8 hours a week minimum charge over 4 days - this means I have him for two hours per day!!!! Are you following me? I know what I want to say but don't know how to write it - lol. Any hints?
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Post by louisec on Nov 12, 2007 21:03:32 GMT
Hi Dont know if this is any help, but I state in my welcome pack, that if 1 hour or less per day is required then I charge £5 instead of £2.80..............BUT if it greatly effects your income, ie taking a space I would defo consider saying you cant do it, does the school have an after school club??? I look after a little girl from 12 - 4 two days a week, but when she goes full time, Im going to suggest she goes to after school club, or I will apply for a variation, as I will only actually mind her for 45 mins 2x a week........sorry Ive not helped xx
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Post by susi513 on Nov 12, 2007 21:30:39 GMT
Your minimum charge isn't 2 hours a day, its 8 hours a week. So you could put in the contract that the minimum weekly fee is £28 and put the exact hours required on the contract.
I've not done that - where I've rounded up the fee to my minimum charges I've adjusted the hours. So in your case that would be 3-5 pm per day. And the parent could then choose to collect at 5 as they have paid for that time. Or they could choose to collect earlier if they wanted. However for after school care I don't charge an hourly fee - I charge for the full 3-6pm session. Which means some parents collect early but others like to get their money's worth and go home for a cuppa first/shop on way home etc.
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Post by sarsar3nch on Nov 13, 2007 9:47:32 GMT
Difficult one, min hrs would imply that she would be paying for 2 hrs per day, as you say, so she could use those hrs. If policy had stated min fee of £28 per week you could stick to 3-4pm.
Louise made a good point about these 'odds and ends' taking up a space (but I guess that is why you have stated about min 8hrs!) I need to think about this myself as I don't have such a clause in any of my policies or contracts
Sorry, rasharoon, no help to you but your question has helped me!
Sarah
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Post by angeldelight on Nov 13, 2007 9:57:34 GMT
I am the same - I do not childmind for less than 8 hours
So at the moment you receive 8 hours fees - but you only work 4 hours is that correct ?
Then if you renew the contract you are saying you might have to have him for 2 hours a day
To be honest if she wants you now for 2 hours a day then that is fair to be paid the same I know you will be actually working more hours but you were just lucky before under your contract rules to be getting paid for not working so to speak if you get what I mean
So whatever time the parent wants to collect the child you charge her either the 8 hour rule if it is still under 8 hours
If it is 8 hours or more she wants from you then you charge her your normal hourly rate of £3.50
Hope you understand that I know what you mean about it not looking the same when you write it down ha
Angel xx
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Post by angeldelight on Nov 20, 2007 14:32:37 GMT
Any update on this ?
Angel xx
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Post by rasharoon on Nov 20, 2007 18:17:22 GMT
Hi Angel Not yet. We have contracts at the moment that expire 31st December 2007 so because the little boy is starting full time in January, and the hours change, was going to do a new contract. I will state that the weekly charge is £28 but will chat with her as to whether she will still collect at 4.00pm or leave him until 5.00pm. As it stands now, she is always late but she'd be doing me a favour if she does collect at 4.00pm as I'm in the kitchen from this time doing tea for the other mindees and my family and the fact she likes a chat on collection will seriously throw all my timings out so think I'm going to need to be a bit firm and get her to stick to a time where possible rather than me try and guess. I sound really mean but I'm not - honest Rachelle
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Post by angeldelight on Nov 20, 2007 18:52:26 GMT
I do not think you are mean stick to what you think is right it is your business after all
Good luck and keep us posted
Angel xx
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