How do you set/charge for hours?

[mogs0]

I was a reg CM with Ofsted and was (I now appreciate) lucky to have 4 part-timers that fitted perfectly in my week. Whilst they didn't attend for a full-week, they did attend full-days.

I'm now reg somewhere else and effectively have started from scratch and find that people don't always want full days. I'm worried that I'm going to end up working only a couple of hours per day and possibly have to turn down other children because I already have children for awkward hours - ie 11-2. That sort of time would also limit what sort of activities we'd be able to do outside of the house.

I've seen on some council lists that cms offer a morning session or an afternoon session or both and I was wondering if I'd be restricting my customer base too much.

I'd be interested to hear how other cms do things.

Here is how I charge and I explain that I charge more per hour if under a certain number of hours for 2 reasons. 1) Might not fill the rest of the day. 2) More paperwork involved (esp for EYFS ages)

Thanks Looney, that looks like a very good system. I have put together a handbook of my policies and procedures for parents to look at and return to me but I think I need something I can give them to keep including my pricing structure etc.

I do know others who do mornings and afternoon sessions and charge a set amount. I personally (having done part days recently) have decided I probably won't take on any part timers again (when I have vacancies) as I found it a right PITA myself. But I guess it depends on supply and demand for your area :)

I'm still relatively new to the area (compared to most people who live here) so word of mouth is going to take a little longer than where I lived before. Whilst there is quite a demand for childcare there are also quite a few CMs who are better established.

However, the parents of the boy I've been nannying for know LOADS of people and I've already got a one-day-a-week mindee without having to try at all!

I think I'll try the higher rate for under 8 hours and see what that gets me!

I have just taken on several part-timers as things had gone very quiet and I decided I needed to take on some otherwise I would have been struggling.

Last week - I had an enquiry for a baby - full time 7-6 mon - fri and 2 siblings 3 full days a week age 1 and 2. I am bloody kicking myself, but unfortunately that's the way it happens sometimes.

I charge a minimum fee equivalent to 7 hours pay, I don't charge less for part days.
Luckily most childminders in this area do the same, parents usually understand the reason for it.