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Paid childcare

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

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Original poster

I feel Awful

8 replies

RosieGirl · 11/08/2010 15:36

I am no good at the business end of minding and am way too easy going. I have a family who have been using me for over 4 years and I have always been very flexible, they both work shifts and over the years I have done strange hours, Saturdays and different days. I have managed in the past with a variation as my numbers have increased naturally with siblings being born, so I have always managed under continuation of care, and avoided charging them any extra than the hours they needed.

Recently shifts changed again and I have been given the next couple of months which showed the 2 yo would only need one day a week, but a different day each week. As things have changed I am now looking for new business and she is blocking up one of my spaces, so as I didn't want to be too bad I have offered that they pay for the hours they use at full price and the rest (up to 40 hours) half price, or they have to book specific days so I can fill the others. I haven't got anyone specifically lined up as yet but feel I need to know where I stand. I could see the parent was not happy as I explained the situation and I felt terrible.

Should I feel awful or am I justified?

OP posts:

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withorwithoutyou · 11/08/2010 16:18

Sounds more than reasonable to me.

minderjinx · 11/08/2010 16:34

It's easier said than done, but you have to resist letting other people (i.e these parents) making their problems into your problems. They really should not have accepted a change in their working hours/pattern without consulting you. Perhaps you could suggest they take up the issue with their employers and negotiate some more family-friendly working pattern, I know employers are obliged to at least consider changes to working patterns/hours to accommodate children/childcare needs. I don't think anyone can reasonably expect to have total flexibility without paying for the privilege.

LoveMyGirls · 12/08/2010 08:12

You have to do what is best for your business. There's no way I could afford to give an under 5 place to someone who wants to keep the whole space yet only pay for 1 day of it, I need to pay my bills and if I didn't do childminding I would have to go out and get another job, I can't afford to be a sahm earning pocket money which is the way some people see us I think.

PinkChick · 12/08/2010 12:15

what are they contracted too?
if 40 hours then you are well within your contract to charge full whether they want to use it or not, so if they look unhappy explain it this way so they can see they are getting a fantastic deal and i would look for someone to fill your space on a more permanent basis

Original poster

RosieGirl · 12/08/2010 13:30

No they are not contracted for 40 hours, at their most regular (it has been very difficult to keep up with them) they booked for a Wednesday only which was fine. Then over the last 6/7 months due to training etc, they have been all over the place, I have been very accommodating, but they have settled back down again, hence the new arrangement, so I now feel we need to agree on new terms, I just can't come to terms give a £150 space up for £34 a week no matter how long I have been with them. I have at least offered a discount to try and meet them half way, but can't do it any more.

I think its partly my fault as I have always been so flexible and managed to go along with their personal situations, and they don't understand how tight we have to work within numbers. But I still feel very frustrated as they know that nurseries, pre-schools (as they used them for their eldest) can't do this, but obviously believe I can.

Anyway the deed is done, so I will leave it up to them.

OP posts:

PinkChick · 12/08/2010 13:55

yes, to be blunt, it is your fault..BUT...i got stuck EXACTLY the same way, so am not berating you, you have my total sympathy.

legally then you can only make them pay for what is on their contract, if thats just a wednesday you can try for more as you obv have provided it more recently, or give them the option of ONLY having a wednesday..if the want to be able to use a full time space ie: for you to keep a space for their child which ever day they need it, then they need to pay for a full time space...let them know this and let them know that it is because you could potentially fill the space with a full time/full paying child..best of luck sorting it out.x

PinkChick · 12/08/2010 13:56

you've been overly flexiable for them and because we sort it out behind the scenes, they think its easy epasy for you to manage..we know however that its a bloody nightmare lol.x

thebody · 12/08/2010 16:09

its so easy to bend over backwards for parents and then kick your self as its thrown back in your face..

I think you hould ask them round, without kids present and explain the position as YOU now want it to be going forward... dont be swayed.. your business your rules.. they know they are getting a bloody good deal from you so be strong.. good luck..

we all been caught that way..

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