Childminders Club - Late Fees??? What do you put?

[HellyBelly]

Hi again

So far I have drawn up 4 contracts since childminding and I haven't put anything about being late on any of them as I'm a softie like that. Anyway, 3 of my contracts are about to be renewed (they want me to work more days) and I've decided to be a bit tougher as some of them have taken the mick so far so I want something in my contract to cover me. One thing I want to put is a charge for lateness. I may decide not to charge if it actually happens (depends on circumstances, how late etc).

I was shocked to hear that some nurseries charge £20 for every £15 mins they are late . I don't want to ask for huge figures like this but would like to find out what you childminders do about lateness????

Any idea's on how to word it etc?

Thanks

I've never used a childminder so have no axe to grind, but what interests me is the use of the phrase - we have to run a business - when what you are talking about is very far removed from my experience of being in business!

In most businesses the people selling services bend over backwards to make sure that the customer gets what they want when they get it. The relationship is more often than not exploitative in the sense that the seller always knows and understands that the buyer can and will go elsewhere if they don't like what they get. If a client turns up for a meeting with me 15 minutes early - there is not a chance in hell that I will leave them sitting in reception waiting until the pre-arranged time to arrive!

So I'm just not sure that running a business is a valid reason for rigerous enforcement of a contract - thats just not the way things really work!

Soapbox

It is more the fact of parents taking the mick that is the problem and that it is a family home

And so if parents arrive early to drop off or late for pick up it interupts family life.

Early means getting own children ready for school, dressed, teeth, breakfast done and cleared away etc.

And also late means own children being late for their activities or late for DR appointments etc.

So while it is a business it is also a home

I only have 1 mindee atm but when I had 3 arriving it was like piccadilly circus in the hallway.

Now if they all arrive early added to that getting own children ready for school

It doesn't really matter to me cos mindee is dropped off at 8am {but grandmother who drops him off is a chatterbox - not about child btw, about herself and husband etc} So it takes her over 10 mins to leave.

But for others who have more than one mindee it is different

RTKM - now that I can understand - the 'its a home as well as a business' - that really does make much more sense!

It is like DS knows that between 8 and 4.15 I am working and so shares me

but before 8 and after 4.15 I am a mummy completely

SO if someone arrives at 7.45 when he is reading me a story

What do I do?

Ignore him and say oh well I am working now so will have to finish reading it to me later or do I let him finish reading the book to me?

btw that is an example

But with this chattering grandmother going on and on for over 10 mins and longer if she was going to be early cos then she wouldn't have to rush off to work

He would have to go to school without having time to finish the story.

I do understand that - the tensions between the working and hte mother are still there no matter what form the work takes!

But is is highly likely that your working parents employers are not anywhere near as respectful of their home v work boundaries.

Very few parents IMO are likely to be late to pick their children up through choice!

Soapbox - if a client arrived early for a meeting, I assume that at least you'd be conscious and dressed!!

Some people think that registered childminders are just babysitters - we're not. We've had to do courses, have our homes picked to pieces (by OFSTED) and have to prove (quite rightly) that we are suitable people to look after children ... except that lots of us don't "just look after children". I've done some pretty heavy-duty courses, all done in my "own" time, evenings and weekends. We also have to demonstrate to OFSTED that we understand and can implement the same educational stuff that nurseries do.

We have far too much paperwork to keep up with, and we usually have to do it all solo. Many of us have our own children at home, so just as other working mums have to juggle, so do we - just being at home doesn't make it any easier! I do not, as some people seem to think childminders do, do my ironing and housework during my working day.

My 1st child arrives at 7.45am, the last one leaves at 6.00pm (assuming they're all on time!!) - it's a long day, with no scheduled tea or lunch breaks. During school holidays, I can be caring for 8 or 9 children. During term-time, I can be taking those same children to and from school, and entertaining younger ones throughout the day.

This is not supposed to be a moan! I really love my job, and I certainly have no intention of getting a Grown-Up Job in the Big Outside World. As I've said, my minding parents have become close friends, and I open my house to them and their children for five long days a week, and I do not have a problem with that at all.

However, I know of parents who DO take liberties with their childminders because they DO seem to think that we all sit around watching TV, drinking coffee and visiting mates, and they will happily do "a bit of shopping on the way home, I knew you wouldn't mind if I was half an hour late, sorry I forgot to phone". And, "oops, sorry I haven't paid you this month, I forgot to bring my cheque book, would it be OK to put it onto next month's bill and I'll pay it all in one go?"

Rant over. That should get me some more work, eh??

Oh my goodness, what did I start

Just want to confirm that these fines are for protection as some parents do take the p. I started off believing no one would do this and put no protection in my contract - am regretting it as I have bills to pay and I have been let down with late payments a few times already! This doesn't mean I'll always charge, if it's a one off and I don't think they are taking the p then I won't charge but IF someone is taking the p then I have the protection there! (I actually think the contract would stop people taking the p anyway which is what I want!)

My first mindee arrives at 8am and the last leaves at 6.30pm - like the others, I calculate my getting ready time and it does mess that up when people arrive early (unplanned). I need my tea and breakfast and not to be rushing when I see the car pull up early - much better for the kids that I'm fresh and ready for them IYSWIM. As for late collecting, no probs with warning or odd occasion but again, p takers mess the routine up. Last mindee leaves at 6.30pm, ds to get bathed, ready for bed then house to tidy/clean ready for the next day! (as well as normal household paperwork etc and dinner to eat!)

Sorry, that was a bit long wasn't it!!! Was only meant to be a quick note

Most parents are lovely and I am happy to overlook the odd occasion they have got stuck in traffic or whatever when they are normally prompt. I have had 2 families that arrive 15 minutes early. One to breastfeed, the other to chat and all are gone by their contracted "end time".

I brought in my late fees after I was let down by one dad who thought nothing of sauntering in at 7:30 pm (kids were only booked until 6 pm). It wasn't so much the lateness but the lack of apology that upset me.

Since introducing my late fees I've only had one mum collect late and noone has forgotten their cheque book any more!

I supposeall I was saying was that sometimes as a parent you don't have a choice - traffic or whatever, and I didn't realise who inconsiderate people were. Sorry for sticking up for early arrivals and stuff. However I seincerly hope I do not take the . At least I phone or apoligise profusely.

Oops Crunchie! It's only parents who continually take the mick that annoy us - I think we'd all be understanding about occasional traffic problems etc. It's when you know that parents have the choice and think it's OK to regularly roll up an hour late with the comment "didn't think you'd mind" because we work from home and therefore don't have a life!!

I can't believe anyone does this: when we had our childminder last year, I always added extra on at the usual rate for lateness, even though she never asked, and it was never more than ten minutes or so, and never intentionally.

Peachyclair - I had a mum that picked up at 3pm, just as I left to do the school run.

Isuggested picking her up earlier, later (at no extra cost), meeting her at school, dropping child at her house(which we passed in bothe directions) but no - she inststed an picking the baby up at between 5 past and 10 past making me late for school

It was an impossible situation and only stopped when I started charging her a late fee, I ended up dropping the little one off at 3.20 at no extra charge - easier on all of us

I didnt mean I cant believe any childminder charges late fees- I meant that anyone, when they have found a childminder they trust, would mess them around! Sorry if I put it rubbishly as ever!

I need to drop my DS at Childminders at the same time she is doing school run, so I am taking him to the school to drop him there instead. Works for both of us!

Sorry again- I DIDNT BELIEVE THAT ANYONE WOULD MESS AROUND A CM THEY TRUST

My typing is off today!

We knew what you ment......

It's nice to know a colleague is appreciated

I am about to issue my very first Contract to a parent next week (first full time placement) and have found these threads to interesting and extremely informative especially on late fees as the parent who came to meet me and visit my setting yesterday was half and hour late in the first place; she did telephone to warn me and stayed for 4.5 hours when she knew that I was going out at 4pm - in the end (as she doesn't drive) I offered her a lift home (only 5 min drive) to get rid of her ; I am now worrying about whether she will stay and chat for hours on end when collecting mindee I wouldn't have minded so much if all 4.5 hours was taken up with reassuing her about care mindee will receive etc but it wasn't and now I know her life history

FeelingOld - A daily diary is something I am difinitely considering and absolutely agree with your last para. I am more than happy to give feedback to parents, verbally and/or diary form which I do with current part-time mindee but like in my case with this particular parent yesterday, her visit and chatting about her life is actually raising all sorts of issues with me in that I am wondering how appropriate her 'chat' will be in front of the other child in my care. I haven't met her own child yet but will do in a day or so, so I guess I will see then whether what she talks about in front of him is appropriate (well in my view). Not sure how that makes me sound really but I hope you know what I mean and I am all for working in partnership with parents honestly.

Tan - make sure you meet the child before issuing any contract!

If mum does discuss anything inappropriate in front of the children, you just need say in a fairly light-hearted way, "perhaps we should talk about this in the other room/tomorrow/on the phone because I don't think the children should be listening to this." Be firm! Be professional (like I am all the time ... )

As well as all the usual written information like nap times/food/nappies, I also include stuff about where we've been, what toys/activities played with, friends played with (especially if not known to the parents), funny things they've said/done.

Re. late payments - when I read through this thread through again, it makes it sound as though all childminders are money-grabbing maniacs! We're not!

ThePrisoner, Yes I will certainly meet the child before making final decision and issuing a Contract!