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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Childminders Club: Assistants

34 replies

Xena · 13/06/2005 19:27

I'm thinking about asking Ofsted if I can have an assistant so that I can up my numbers. How do I go about this do I need to send them a letter? I have just sent them one requesting them to inspect part of my house they hadn't previously registered.

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KatyMac · 15/06/2005 10:34

No problem - look forward to hearing from you

Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 22:08

Thanks I may cat you if thats alright it is very complicated I need to get it right for sept.
g night

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KatyMac · 14/06/2005 22:05

Very complicated - if you want to chat sometime feel free to cat me - I think I'm off to bed now

See ya

Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 22:02

Oh s##t. I'm not sure if taking on another person is what I'm going to do.
Have been re-writing my prices (all contracts to be renewed in Sept) putting no-ones overall prices up but basically increasing termly rates but decreasing holiday rates. It will keep me in line with the playscheme and I won't be charging a retainer for the holidays. Overall it works out better and in the long run should be more profitable, it also means that I can't be taken advantage.

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KatyMac · 14/06/2005 21:59

If you CAT me I'll give you my no or you can give me yours - I might be able to help more over the phone?

Not tonite tho - I'm knackered

KatyMac · 14/06/2005 21:58

Planning have had over £700 out of me in less than 2 yrs

Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 21:57

Ah yes I have got very good at asking questions without giving any details about myself

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KatyMac · 14/06/2005 21:55

Yes ask to speak to whoever deals with planning permission in your area. Don't admit to anything - ask speculatively if I were to....

They can be lovely and they can be BSTRDs

Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 21:54

They refer to each other as 'fake' brothers and sisters.

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Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 21:53

I don't have planning atm I only told my mortgage company that I intended to childmind. So I should phone the council to check if I need it. Do I just ask for planning?
BHell I'm so tired I seem to have endless paper work trying to get everything into order. On the upside playroom looks good and when I asked the children(inc my own) today what there fav things about coming to my house were and what there least fav things were the good only think of good things

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KatyMac · 14/06/2005 21:49

Sorry honey, children called (well my DD) then a network meeting

Have you got planning permission to run a business from home - some councils need it for up to 6 children others if you go over 6 - they charge you money for a "Change of use statement"

But they can limit your numbers cos of parking or access or neighbours

Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 21:28

Where are you Katymac wise one I know nothing about planning.

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Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 19:19

Sorry I'm really scared what do you mean planning?

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KatyMac · 14/06/2005 18:38

Planning is usually the worst bit - limits the number of children in the house

Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 18:33

I don't think I am going to fill all the spaces for the club as I am going to have an employee should it go to plan.

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KatyMac · 14/06/2005 18:32

I contacted the local council early years team and asked how I should expand to meet the needs of the area

KatyMac · 14/06/2005 18:32

Can't do that Xena - if you take a retainer you must keep a place open for her to use. You can't take money twice for the same place.

You could chanrge a deposit for next term and reuse the place during the summer - but if it's a retainer she could ask tp use the place (NCMA are quite clear on that

Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 18:30

Can I ask how you qualified for your sure start grant?

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Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 18:30

No [stupid emotion] But contract is due to renew in sept I will put it in then.
TBH I am thinking of charging £22 perday for my play club, so if you took off her retainer she would only pay £15. So I will get her retainer and someone elses £22

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KatyMac · 14/06/2005 18:26

Unfair - how mean not to tell you - did you write anything in the contract?

Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 18:25

I so with one of my mindees parents.
She is on a term time only contract with a retainer in the holidays. She also has a daily amt for days in the holidays as she said when she started that she would need some holidays (esp in the summer) when I just asked her if she knew what she needed over the summer holidays she said they had booked an au-pair why did I need to ask her she should have told me when she knew.

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KatyMac · 14/06/2005 18:23

My local one charges £10 for a 10 hr day - but I might send DD their just to get a break

The C/Mers I empoly can go & start their own /ming business if they don't loke working for me...and they haven't yet

Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 18:20

I'm thinking of setting up a summer play club as well as expanding from sept. But I need to rival the local one that charges £18 per day.

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Original poster
Xena · 14/06/2005 18:20

Thats what I want to do but how do they feel?

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KatyMac · 14/06/2005 18:18

Sorry - I have 1 assistant and 2 childminder assistants, I do display their cert (c/mers) but they don't have any of their'own' children - they are all mine

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