CMs talk to me about after-schoolies please...

[blandambition]

Normally I only mind children in the early years group so have a few questions to ask about taking on children for after-school care :)

1. How much do you charge? More than your usual rate? Less than? If either, what percentage more or less? Older children require less admin, but after-school commitment means you potentially can't fill one of your spaces during school hours. Not sure which way to go here.

1a. Do you charge for travel time to school pick-up?

1. How do pick-ups work? Do you liaise with the school before first collection? If so, with whom? What information do schools need from me/the parents? Will I need to sign children out daily?

1. If after-schoolies over 8, do I need to register on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register? I am registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

Thank you!

Hiya

My day off so I'll reply whilst DH picks the big boy up from school :)

1. I charge my usual rate with a minimum charge of 1 hour before school and 2 hours after school. The school's after school club is cheaper but it's RUBBISH and therefore I can get away with charging this way. I do know some childminders who charge less because of the competition with after school clubs so maybe do a little research. I'm not sure what you mean about the not filling space during school hours as the 5-8 years age group is only going to be before school, after school or school holidays. So you're not loosing anything as usually only allowed 3 Early Years aged children unless you have a variation.

1a. If I wasn't going to that school then my fee would start from the time I'd need to leave my house to get there. As it happens, all mine are at the same school/nursery as my own ds1 so I'm doing that trip anyway.

1. For me it's always been a case of the parent giving my name and authorising me to pick up (although tbh, most of them know me as a childminder anyway so not as hot as I suppose they would be with a stranger to start with). Some schools want work a password system. I don't do any signing out or anything, I pick each child from their class in the same way their mum etc. would.

1. Not sure about the registers, think I'm on both but I THINK the main one is making sure if under 8s, you are definitely on the compulsary register.

Remember that if you have an after schoolie in Reception, you will need to liase with the teacher and follow EYFS until 31st Aug following their 5th birthday (I have a mindee who's birthday is ON 31st Aug and I could have save's a year's worth of work if her mum had given birth the day before!!!!

Re charging.......yes there is generally less admin with after schoolers but don't outdo yourself financially, some of these children can eat SOOOOO much!!!

My reply is EXACTLY the same as Looneytoon. If they didn't eat so much I might charge less, but it's like feeding time at the zoo at my house. I only do school aged children, partly coz I dug myself into a hole and have filled all my places with over 5's leaving no space for preschoolers. Although I do quite like my current situation!

As I understand it you need to be on the voluntary register in order for over 8's parents to claim tax credits.

Thank you both.

WRT my numbers, I am limited to 4, so for example 2 after-schoolies would mean I couldn't do 3 early years full-timers. I don't currently have 3 full-timers though, so would be taking on the after-schoolies to fill a gap while business is slow.

WRT fees, I hear what you are saying about the amount of food! A snack on the way home, tea and pudding, and another snack before home time seem likely.

I will ring Ofsted to put myself on the voluntary part of the register, as parents will want to claim credits.

And homework - I'd forgotten about that. I'm envisioning they'll want to chill for a little while, eat, then get on with homework. Is that how it works for most people?

1. How much do you charge? 7:30 - 9 am £8, 8-9 am £5, 3-5:30 pm £12, 3-6 pm £15. 8-5:30 pm £39

1a. Do you charge for travel time to school pick-up? no, included in session fee as I walk to school. I would increase the charge if I had to drive and also start the childminding time from the time I leave my home ... because thats the latest time the earlier child would have to leave even if they were in a different age group as I wouldn't be home iyswim

1. How do pick-ups work? I have a form that the parent signs to confirm to the school which days I take and/or collect from school and gives permission for staff to discuss any necessary issues with me. I keep a copy and give a copy to school. For reception children it also mentions liaison required by EYFS.

1. If after-schoolies over 8, do I need to register on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register? I am registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

I am totally confused by the current registers and which is which. check the wording on your certificate and write to Ofsted advising of your intention to care for children in this age group and confirm that you are on the appropriate register