Childminder's Club: Frustrated......

[katymac]

Been talking to a mum for a week or so about 6.5 hrs 3 days a week. She is coming to do contracts this evening and is asking for only 2 days at 2.5 hrs and one at 3.5 hrs

This is accross lunch each day - so will prevent me from having another child that day.

Always when I have explained this before the parent has suggested leaving them longer because it's not financially viable to do such a short day. This mum hasn't

What should I do? Suggest a minimum no of hrs a day

If so what?

[katymac]

Well we have agreed 14 hrs (which is a lot better)

She accepts that if I have an enquiry, she will have to meet that offer (ie if someone wants 6 hrs on that day she will have to pay 6 hrs to keep her place)

She was very business minded and keen to leave her dd here. Also said she was intending on increasing her Hrs in Oct

So I think everyone is quite happy

[JELLYJELLY]

that should have been settling in or longer setlling in period.

[JELLYJELLY]

If i was the parent i would probably not want that but that could be the control freak in me and i always like to know what is going on but it could be a better way for her to save some cash for a little while or could you have a rolling settling in or a longer time in case you do get a better offer. Would that help?

[katymac]

I know a bird in the hand ....and all that - but it is too much to lose, if someone else came along

I might say I'll do it but if someone else wants the days she can either pay the extra for the day or find someone else

Is that reasonable?

[Bozza]

Thats not mean katymac. You ahve to live.

[JELLYJELLY]

I agree, i had to do this, this week. Feel a bit guilty letting the money deceide but i have to let it.

Good luck wiht whatever you chose.

[katymac]

Thats right Jelly I said I'd do about 16 hrs

It's now dropped to 8.5

I don't think it is worth loosing 3 Full days (about £100) for £27.50

But then I'm mean

[JELLYJELLY]

Has she gone back on her hours that she asked you for originally? Might just be having a dippy day but did she orignally enquire about 18hrs or so and now wants 6 hours over a week.

If this is the case i wouldnt feel guilty as she has changed the hours, if you had said you could do 18 hrs and now cant, i would feel guilty for that. But not because she has changed her hours because it is easier for her which it sounds like it is and i wouldnt feel guilty for refusing the request.

I would say that it has to be a reasonable slot of the day as she could be taking up a whole days place where you could potentially earn a lot more for this if you had someone in for the whole day or you had 2 sessions.

[katymac]

'cos her mum & dad work mornings and will pick up the child when they finish

[ThePrisoner]

Why does she want such short hours across a lunch period?

[katymac]

she was going to do 5.5hrs so I think I'm going to say I need at least 5 hrs (£16) to make it worth while

[Twiglett]

if she is going over lunch she is taking a whole day .. personally I would say you only do mornings / afternoons (neither over lunch) or full days and this is your daily rate / half day rate

[katymac]

Oh yes I'm not swapping a whole day (potentially) for 2.5 hrs - I get enough (just) enquiries

I just feel bad as I'd agreed to do it and now may let her down

[JELLYJELLY]

Can you afford to turn her down if she doesnt like it or will you be lumped with it.

[katymac]

That's what I thought, I was thinking a minimum 5 hrs £16

but I hope she is OK with it

[badgerhead]

Charge her a fixed daily rate at a higher rate than the amount you would normally charge for those hours. e.g. 3.5 hours at £3 per hour would be £10.50 but charge her a fixed fee of £15 per day because of not being able to have anyone else on those days, unless you are very fortunate & gain one for either early mornings or late evenings!It is up to her if she wants to use the hours charged for, but don't let her walk all over you!