Rates for after school?

[juliaemma]

Im just starting up and im unsure of if you charge different rates for after school pick ups? Ie more? Or do you charge the same?If more how much more?

Well, I made the mistake of reducing the price for over 5's by 50p an hour but I had no idea just how much some of these after schoolers eat!!! I've kept it for my current after schoolers but will not take any more on at this rate. I also say a minimum of 2 hours care (or payment) per afternoon as it wouldn't be worth me breaking my day up otherwise. I don't do morning school runs but I suppose I would say minimum of an hour for that too!

HTH & Good Luck!

My CM charges £3.00 p/hour for before/after school but £2.60 for all day. She gives the £2.60 rate to the over 5s in the school holiday also. During term my DS only has a snack (yoghurt or fruit) there.

I charge same hourly rate for after schoolers but like hellybelly I charge for a min of 2 hours. They get a snack and a drink when we get home but if they eat tea with us (our main hot meal of the day) I charge and extra £1 as I am cooking anyway it just means cooking a little extra. I go to school anyway to pick my own children up so I charge from the time they come out of school but if you are having to make a special journey to fetch them you might want to charge from when you leave home (within reason).
Hope that helps.

I charge from when I leave as I make a special trip and it's 15 mins away (traffic!). As all the after schoolers get picked up at 5pm, it would be the same charge anyway as I charge a minimum of 2 hrs.

As for food, make a decision about when the children can eat and make sure you're all happy with the arrangement. Unfortunately I made the mistake of agreeing to a last min urgent new school run job (still new) for a child who I already have in the holiday's. No time to discuss food etc at the time and to start with, 'x' was having a sandwich, cereal bar, ice cream, another cereal bar, cheese chunks etc etc every day. Best to have it clear in your head from the start

Nannies usually charge more fore afterschool care because of the 'different' hours. Im in SW London and would charge at least £7.50/hour but I know some nannies that charge more.

Thanks everyone. I am setting up as a childminder, not nanny. I thought a mojrity charged MORE after school.

likewise hellybelly! The after schoolers I have think it's an open house as far as the food here goes! And it's really hard to refuse food, they make me feel like they're starving! I know they're taking the mick, but what do you do?

Any advise anyone?

pples and buttered toast.

That's what my mum says.....fills them up lovely (& cheaply)

Good advice!! I do wonder how they eat an evening meal tbh!!!

I charge same rate for everyone (because I'd never remember who was paying what!) All the minders I know who have different rates definitely charge more for before/afterschool. Most minders seem to include a snack and drink in their rate.

I only charge for a minimum of one hour. If children don't come (because of afterschool club, illness or visiting a friend for tea), I still charge full rate.