to charge the neighbour

[moogy1a]

I'm a childminder. My neighbour's df usually does before / after school runs and looking after for her but has just become very ( terminally) ill.
She's asked if I'll look after her lo next week for 2 days.
is it fair if I say I'll help her out for a couple of days in a neighbourly way, but if she needs me on a regular basis we'll need to make a more formal arrangement ( ie. start paying).
I don't want to not help out as I'm sure she'd help me with an emergency and I'm happy to help but equally, I don't want it to become a regular thing ( which it might well do )when that's how I earn money.

She needs to pay.

When my grandmother was dying recently I had to pay for childcare when I went to see her.

That's just one of those things.

The grandfather providing them with free childcare obviously can no longer do that, that doesn't mean you need to take over his job!

I am a childminder and I would happily offer an available space to a neighbour for free in these circumstances.

I would carry on for a couple of weeks and then ask the neighbour if she wanted to make it a formal business arrangement or will she be making alternative arrangements/ in which case you'll advertise the space her child is taking up?

Perfectly fine - it's your business and will reduce your ability to earn money as if her DCs are taking a place, then it's not available for others.

I would say happy to help next week (possibly make it clear if she needs other 'one off' helps when she needs to do things for her Dad you'll help if you can) but if she wants a regular place, you'll have to sort out a contract and charge her.

Oh, her dad's dying. I thought she was dying.

I have also done freebies in my previous profession for friends to help them out but I can see you are worried this will become a long term thing in which case of course be upfront that this time is free but if she wants long term she has to pay.

Ps I never know if DF is friend, fiancé, father etc it always confuses me.