Does anyone charge for a minimum amount of hours?

[mogs0]

I have been nannying for a boy for the last couple of years and I've been a bit rubbish when it comes to pay and hours. I've basically agreed to most things that have been asked of me.

The child is now going to be looked after as a childminded child and I need to set a few ground rules. One of the new rules I'd like to set up is a min number of hours (or at least payment for). He has one set day but sometimes comes for extra hours on other days and it's these hours that I need to put a minimum on.

I was wondering if anyone else does this or if I'm being unreasonable to ask for it?

Before and After school is often done with min number of hours or aa set fee per session. So can't see why same thing could not be done for a pre-school child.
Are they school aged, or pre-school?

He's at pre-school. The extra hours are likely to be after-school hours - ie 3.30 - 6.30 but he might not arrive until after 4pm. Previously I've only been paid from the time that I actually start looking after him - is quite a complicated set-up and involves lots of chopping and changing.

Perhaps split the day up into sessions, such as before school, morning, afternoon, afterschool. Have a set fee for each session. If he arrives mid-session then they pay for the whole of that session.
Would that work and be reasonably fair for all concerned?

Not being at school he's taking up a valuable under5s place, so by being flexible on times you are already being nice, rather than charging for the entire day.

By having sessions you may be able to sell the other sessions - so having morning only children for example.

I was thinking about splitting into sessions too but I'm not sure how well they'd be received. I know it's my business and therefore I can set my t&cs but I don't want to end up with no children because I'm being unreasonable!!

I have a set fee for before school & after school

But for preschoolers I have a minimum session of 4 hours (which doesn't include a meal)

What are your thoughts on having a pre-schooler for after-school hours? At the moment it's not a problem for me as I have space for him and I don't think it's going to be a long-term arrangement.

Would the hours of your session be set? - ie morning or afternoon or could parents choose which 4 hours?

They choose the four hours as long as they are not across mealtime (but if they are there is a £1 fee)

I "don't do" after school/nursery for pre-schoolers because I offer funded nursery education & therefore I would be conflicted

I charge a set daily rate and people can choose what hours they want within my open hours (they can use all 10 hours if they like). I do not do before and after school at the moment, but I used to charge an hourly rate for that. The problem I now have is that I wanted to start offering funded care for 3-4 yr olds, but it doesn't fit with my current pricing structure.

CMs round here do a mixture of fixed rates and hourly rates.