cm club; Do I charge for settling in sessions which are 1-2 hours long?

[jazee]

Hi everyone
Just wanted to know what you do re settling in sessions. Will be having 2 or 3 short sessions for mindee to become familiar with surroundings and me. Perhaps 1.5 hours.
I haven't charged in the past so was wondering what everyone else does?
Advice please.

Hi there, i personally dont HOWEVER i do insist on contracts being signed and completed BEFORE the settling in sessions begin, even if theres a settling in clause in it, because then i KNOW theyre coming and (hopefully) not messing around.good luck

I do charge! In the past I've charged 1 day's fees, over several days (cheaper that way) for a long slow settling in period. Now I usually offer 2 half days and 2 full days - all at normal rate!

My feeling is that I'm doing the work and I want/need to be paid for it (thank you).

x posted - I also sign contracts and take the deposit before settling in commences.

I charge (+ get contracts etc)

Hi, thanks, that helps.
Um, what do you say to the parents about charging?
I have arranged the first 1.5 hour settling in, but have not mentioned "money".

I have never really said much about it. I have offered settling in, if it is available, parents request dates and times. I send them an invoice in advance, but it has never been a problem and they have always been happy to pay ... even saying thank you for not charging a whole day . Obviously if I was specifically asked, I would explain how it works.

I offer 3 x 2hr settling in for FREE. If they want longer sessions they pay the difference. After the 3 sessions, it's all charged at the usual rate.

If a parent stays too, then I regard it as a social-type of situation, and certainly wouldn't charge.

If a child is left alone with me, then I charge for the hours that I work, because I will be working.

Oh, I agree with theprisoner - if the parent stayed I wouldn't charge (but they never have - never wanted to, or needed to - so far). I normally recommend booking a hair appointment or something and then coming back afterwards, so they are not stressing too much.