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Original poster

CM Club - HELP, had enquiry for after school care, got some questions........

34 replies

looneytune · 14/03/2007 12:28

Hi

When I started childminding nearly 2 years ago, I started straight away with 4 mindees, 2 were school runs/holidays. My ds was only 2.5 at the time and I wasn't used to the older children (especially how much they eat!!! ) I only looked after these older children for about 3/4 months because ds ended up at a nursery in a totally different direction so couldn't do both. I decided not to go back to having school aged children until I was more used to childminding.

Well, I feel much more confident now and my ds is going to be 4 in 2 weeks and is very lonely since same aged mindee left a few weeks ago.

Had a call last night for a boy who is starting all day sessions at school after Easter. He's not 5 yet but I believe that once he's doing 10 sessions a week, that's ok as long as he's over 4? Can you please confirm? Obviously I will check with the parents that he is going straight into full days, every day after Easter as this would make a difference.

Questions

  1. Am I right about him being classed as an over 5 as long as attending school all day?
  2. Do you charge the same hourly fee as normal? My rate is $3.80 an hour and I'd be needed from school pickup (around 3.10pm) til about 5.45pm. The school is probably about 5+ miles away at a guess? Certainly have to drive, it's in the sticks. Not sure when I'd have to leave but would you charge from the time you have to leave your house?
  3. I'm not sure if I'm required during the school holidays? What do you lot do/find out about this side of things?
  4. What to do after school? - when I had the children I had at the beginning, we used to go to the park, come home and play in the garden/do arts and crafts etc. I'm trying to decide what I should be doing? Do parents expect you to help with their homework? Or have the kids had enough work time and just want to have a snack, unwind etc? Any thoughts at all would be great
  5. FOOD - this is VERY important for me to decide up front because I had big ps taker problems with one 8 yr old when I started - I can't have earnt a thing after the amount of food she ate!!! If they require a meal, fine. If they require only a snack, can you give me examples I can show the parents so we all know what's expected. I have my snack menu already but wasn't sure if more would be required for an after schooler?

I'm sure I'll have other questions

It's been left that they'll call me back on Tuesday as we're both about to go away. Then they'll arrange a meeting and at the end of the call, the father said 'don't let that space go!!' Of course I know very well they may not call but if they do, I want to know what I'm offering!

Thanks

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Original poster
looneytune · 22/03/2007 09:44

Thought you might have had the call as they are from your village.

I'd still like to do it if I can. Is it really that bad or is it ok if get there earlier?

Off to toddlers so catch up later or see you there

OP posts:
Saz73 · 22/03/2007 09:21

Kinda knew it was Farley Hill, had the enquiry the other week and declinded they sounded a really nice family. Done the run for 1 day as a favour for a friend and it is busy and you do have do get there 30 mins before school finishes a parking space. That's why I said about the run.

Are you putting a trial period int he contract?

Original poster
looneytune · 22/03/2007 08:32

Hi Saz. I was planning on doing a trial run.

I really want to do this and had a long think in bed last night and as long as the pickup itself is ok and parents of others don't mind, I will do it IF they want me to.

Saz, it's Farley Hill - you ever done this run?

Cheers

OP posts:
Saz73 · 22/03/2007 06:23

Why don't you try do a trial school run and see what the parking is like and if you can get a double buggy down the footpath easily.

nally · 21/03/2007 23:53

I have just sat and read all of this and it has given me a headache! Personally it seems like a lot of hassle and seems like it could mess with too many of your daily routines. Do you want the stress of having to spend so much of your day (every day?) driving around, having trouble parking, interfering with nap times (how are the babies going to feel about that?), etc etc?

Are you going to be waking up in the morning and thinking "oh god, another day!" and are you going to be going to bed at night wishing that you had a different job???

If it were me, I would say to myself that as much as its nice to be wanted by this family and the extra money would be a blessing, I would not take the job on. See how much you have worried about it already????

Anyway, that's just me. I like my life to be as relaxed and uncomplicated as possible, which is probably why I have no money! A relaxed me = a relaxed household!

Maybe I should be more like other people???

Original poster
looneytune · 21/03/2007 23:53

sure he will

and before you ask why I'm still here..........was just checking other thread but definitely logging off now!

night

OP posts:
ThePrisoner · 21/03/2007 23:46

... hope your dh appreciates how clean you are ...

Original poster
looneytune · 21/03/2007 23:45

Oh poor TP and her zimmer frame. At least you'll have LOADS of extended family to help look after you when you can no longer look after yourself!!!

Oh I WAS all positive about it before I came on here and started worrying more about the finer details.

BUT, my positives are still:

  • an extra child to liven things up
  • play mate for ds as he's a bit lonely since our lovely mindee left last month, especially on the 2 days I'm not working atm (although he does love his mummy time too )
  • much needed extra money of course
  • meet new people, new school etc.

I suppose the negatives come out on here because these are the questions I have to think about.

I would really like this to work though!

As for the other question, bit like that is it, will start another thread tomorrow then!

I really really really need to go to bed now. My poor dh has been waiting for me since about 10ish when I said I was coming to bed - oops! And no, it's not for any funny business, just a cuddle on a cold night!!

Night night and thanks again for all your help! x

OP posts:
ThePrisoner · 21/03/2007 23:35

I don't charge a holiday retainer as I'm now very happy not to have a houseful of children throughout the holidays!

When I first started minding (when I still had all my own teeth and didn't need a zimmer frame), all my schoolchildren came full-time during the holidays - I'd regularly go out on picnics, farms, trek in the woods etc. with a busload of children, and we had an absolute ball. I am now getting old and creaky, and enjoy having quieter holidays. In the dim and distant past, I had some children that had holiday-only contracts, so it all seemed to even out.

I think you need to talk yourself out of this particular job - you haven't mentioned any positive points about it yet!!

Start a new thread re. the new changes - I am not getting into a discussion on that one tonight!

Original poster
looneytune · 21/03/2007 23:23

God no, took me that long to read this and type my reply

OP posts:
Original poster
looneytune · 21/03/2007 23:22

TP, I'm in midway through, brushed my teeth then thought i'd pop in the office and check quickly hehe.

I forgot to answer your other question, yes I'd put the rate down in the holiday's IF I charged more during school time.

Still confused about the whole inset day bit. At the moment (based on size of old house), I'm only reg'd for 1 5-8 yr old. So, if they want me Term Time only and say someone else wanted me School Hols only. What would happen if they both had the same inset day? The other week, every school in our district had inset day.

I personally have no problem in walking further to the school, I'd quite like it actually. It's just the feedback so far from other childminders (nice ones) has been OH NO, NOT xxx school - nightmare!! Tbh, I thought nightmare parking was all part of school pickup???? I need to find out more details about this! As long as it's a safe walk, I really don't mind doing it.

I reckon ds and toddler would also get excited about the big kids (although it would only be 1 rising 5). I used to pick 2 kids up from another school when I first started so ds and mindee would have been 2½ at the time. They loved it Ds is 4 next week and still talks about them when we drive past the road that takes you there

Ok, so I need:

  1. Double check about this whole parking thing at the school
  2. Check that mum of 2 girls I have doesn't mind the whole school run (although she's fully aware that with her reducing hours, having discount for 2 etc, I'm struggling and I think she's happy to help)
  3. Think about whether or not I'd want to charge a retainer for the hols
  4. Phone parents (if all above is ok) and let them know it would only be temporary

Can I ask 2 more questions:

  • how many of you charge a retainer during the hols? I'm worried about drop in income as not sure there's much call for holiday only care (IF they want term time only)
  • does anyone know any more about this whole foundation stage and the changes for children to rising 5's etc?
OP posts:
ThePrisoner · 21/03/2007 23:13

... you painting your nails too? ...

ThePrisoner · 21/03/2007 23:07

... you must be very clean by now ...

ThePrisoner · 21/03/2007 23:06

When I do term-time only contracts, I regard the inset days as holidays. So, no, I don't charge for them. I am more than happy to do term-time only contracts though, other CMs don't (so may charge retainers for holidays?)

I also didn't think you could charge for petrol expenses (you would put it on your own tax expenses), but I know of childminders who charge a "collection fee" on top of normal hourly rates. I have no idea what it is for!

I drive three miles for my school run. The little ones get excited about "going to big school to get the big children" - it has become part and parcel of our daily routine. They always ask who we will be collecting. They usually choose a toy/book to take in my bus. If we arrive early, we either go for a walk, have stories or a sing-song. Parking is relatively limited for me - the later I am, the further from the school I will be, so the further we will have to walk. I don't find it a major problem, and the children certainly don't.

So long as you are honest with parents about not knowing how long you would be able to mind their child because of your own family commitments (ie. school/nursery for your ds), then it is up to them to decide.

Original poster
looneytune · 21/03/2007 23:01

TP, I'm still here

IMPOSSIBLE to walk it, it's in the sticks and about 10/15/20 min drive away.

I've been told the parking is TERRIBLE and it's about lack of spaces, not just the nightmare of parking. Apparently it can also get flooded in bad weather.

I do worry about the nap routine changing and would therefore prefer to try for an earlier nap at say 1.30pm which should be quite do-able. I'm now more worried about being out that long with 3 children under 5 stuck in a car for a while.

[looney runs upstairs to brush her teeth and have a really good wash before Theprisoner comes to lock me up!]

OP posts:
ThePrisoner · 21/03/2007 22:55

... I knew Katymac would get in there before me ...

ThePrisoner · 21/03/2007 22:53

Does arriving later just mean that you'd just have to park further away, and then have to walk further? Or is there just very limited parking altogether (so you have to arrive earlier)? Do you have to drive there anyway, or is it walkable from home?

I don't charge from when I leave home, but it is something that I think is fair. You wouldn't really be able to charge from 2.20, so would have to round it up/down to 2.15 or 2.30? I guess it would depend on how long you are minding the child afterwards.

Personally, I charge the same rate for everyone; I know minders who charge more for before/after-schoolers because they do less hours. If you charged more, would you be charging your normal rate for school holidays? (I charge the same rate because I'd end up in knots remembering who paid what/when/why!)

My toddler mindees tend to sleep on the school run, which I don't think is an ideal sleeping arrangement. The parents know it happens, have chosen me despite this, so everyone is happy. I've never tried to deliberately change a mindee's routine, so don't know how feasible this would be with yours.

... go and wash a bit more, and don't forget to brush your teeth ... am still reading your questions ...

Original poster
looneytune · 21/03/2007 22:53

Well I was until I saw KM's reply

You are so right, what a div am I, of course I'd do inset days if they want me to. Well, hold on (I am very tired! ) what if I had someone for school hols only? What if they also wanted me for inset days??? Not quite sure how this would work? HELP!!

Thanks about the petrol, I won't charge. Is this because you'd be classed as a taxi? Presume that's it!

Kate, I know what you're saying about when my ds goes to school and I was going to say to them that I would have to rethink it all next year. I'm not sure when ds is moving up now there's all these changes. He would have been due to go up in Jan 08 but teachers are saying these changes may mean he wouldn't go up til Easter or Sept 08??? I thought the changes didn't come into force til May 08? Has this changed? Whatever, I still need to think about this very carefully (suppose my desperate need for a playmate for ds and extra money fogged all this! ) Maybe I should phone them and explain about it being temporary? They do know he goes to nursery in different area but that's all that was said about that. Also, I don't know until end of this month where my ds will be going and if he doesn't get a place where the nursery is, I will cry then appeal which will take time. Oh, what to do, what to do????

It is a long time for a school run isn't it. I was all set for this until I heard about the parking problem. It really is a problem isn't it.

Do any of you other childminders go a long way and end up out a long time for your school runs?

I'm getting a big headache now but thanks KM as it's raised questions that I really do need to think about.

OP posts:
Original poster
looneytune · 21/03/2007 22:44

haven't made it up there yet, decided to email the other lady about the adhoc care

Off to do it now!

OP posts:
Katymac · 21/03/2007 22:44

inset days are termtime - so you will have him
petrol money - your insurance will be invalid if you take this

Careful if your own child won't go to this school - you could build up a clientelle (sp) then have to give them all notice when your chuild goes to school

You will be out for over an hour on a school run - is that acceptable to you - it might even approach 1.5 htrs

Yes charge more

ThePrisoner · 21/03/2007 22:38

... keep washing ... am just going to read what you've written ...

Original poster
looneytune · 21/03/2007 22:29

Come'on then TP & KM, I wanna go to bed but waiting for your input on this one now!!

Will go and have a wash etc and check before I log off

OP posts:
Original poster
looneytune · 21/03/2007 22:19

Right, he's called back and is coming with his wife and little boy on Sunday morning

As I've never seen this school, I've been checking some things out and have been told it's a NIGHTMARE for parking. Most people arrive half an hour earlier for find a decent enough space. With me having a 20 month old and 3/4 month old (atm), I'll need to walk the double buggy and my ds so definitely would want to do the early arriving bit. So if school releases at 3.10pm like he's sure it does (will make sure confirmed), then I need to be there by say 2.40pm which at a guess would mean leaving mine around 2.20ish (need to test the run first). So would it be fair to charge from then? I would be making a special trip as I don't currently do school runs, just pick up ds after morning nursery.

The other thing I need to think about is the toddlers nap. She usually naps in the travel cot upstairs from say 2-3/3.30. So I need to think about whether I want to do just nap in the car or see if I can bring the nap forward (easier said than done atm as her baby sister isn't into a proper routine as yet - getting there slowly though).

If I charge £3.80 an hour for a full day, should I charge more an hour then?

I asked on the phone about requirements for school holidays etc and he admitted that they are new to the whole childminding thing and would like to discuss options at our meeting. So, if they decide on Term Time only, they have to make their own arrangements for inset days etc??? is that right? Then I advertise school holiday only care? Obviously I'd prefer them to want me for the whole lot but I want to make sure everything is clear in my head as I just don't know what they want at this stage.

Think that's it, gosh I feel dizzy with all these questions going round in my head (in case you hadn't noticed, I've been asking lots on here recently about different things, don't know if i'm coming or going )

Thanks again you lovely ladies! x

Oh yeah, before I go, someone mentioned charging for petrol each month. Presume this means you don't claim on expenses. So, what's the benefit of this way round? Not digging, just very tired and trying to make it all clear in my head

OP posts:
Original poster
looneytune · 15/03/2007 00:45

Thanks guys. Not been around as at my parents now so enjoyed a nice 5 hour trip in the car!! Now got the laptop set up but off to bed as soooo tired. Will have a read of all your comments tomorrow! Thanks so much, lots of help there!!

Night night xx

OP posts:
dmo · 14/03/2007 20:20

i have 10 children after school all aged from 5 to 10 yrs old

  1. if he is in 10 sessions of education he is classed as over 5
  2. i charge the same hourly fee as i charge all the children £3 per hour raising to £3.20 in April
  3. you need to know if your needed in the hols ask mum, i have the queistion on my enrolment forms
  4. i just bring the children home and they play outside in the garden or on the p.c i have games out for them to play with i do their homework with them only 4-5 pages of reading a night i do art work with them when it is a special occasion such as mothers day, easter never ever put tv on
  5. each child has a mat with their name on which is prepared just b4 school, on their mat they have 2 biscuits and fruit and sometimes a note to say they can have an ice- lolly/crisps if the child is still here at 5.20pm they have a proper sit down meal with myself and my family (£1 charge)

hope this helps