Charging when at pre-school - how do I justify to sceptical parent?

[OopsDoneItAgain]

Hiya, a parent is querying why I charge for time at pre-school (child is with me before and after) and I have explained about loss of income, taking a place etc but she looks at me as if I am just trying to rip her off. And is really stalling about signing the contract. Is there anything official anywhere that I can direct her to? Just to prove Im not making this up to be an unreasonable money grabber!

I don't understand why you'd charge when you're not looking after the child either?

There is no official reason why you should charge

It is up to you as a childminder to set your own individual conditions & for the parent to accept or reject them

Because taking on a child before & after a 3 hours pre-school session is uneconomic

I charge btw - but a parent would have to talk fast & persuasively to get me to take on such a child - it's just hassle imo - 2 nursery runs

Aren't you the person that the pre-school would ring if there were any problem or the child needed picking up?

Also, explain again that you cannot have another child there while her child is at pre-school.

Its not a hassle to do, my child goes there, but it is taking a place!

& who has them in the holidays?

Thanks for making my points for me Katy!

My DD is 13, so for me pre-school is a hassle - I also offer EYE myself so it's just daft

I have it written down that, as I have only 3 under 5 spaces, I need to fill those spaces in the best way available. I would find it difficult to fill 3 hours in the morning, so will charge as normal. Also as Katy pointed out all my local pre-schools and nursery's close during the holidays so the parents still require cover.

In the past depending how busy I have been, I have negotiated a 50% charge for some children.

Remember its up to you, but set it straight from the start, I didn't and ended up getting my knickers in a twist.

Tell her that you will do the pick up only and then see if she will be able to manage, but will advertise the space as available. She then has the choice to either pay for it or be late to work.

Also is she happy to take a day off if the pre school is closed?

If you are charging then presumerably you are available to pick up in an emergency/or keep child with you if preschool doesn't open things like a power cut, flood, break in

UNDER 5?S IN OTHER SETTINGS

A child is counted as an under 5 by Ofsted until they are in full time education i.e. at school for 10 sessions a week.

A child who is at pre school is a under 5 and if they are with a childminder before and after pre school, and require a fulltime space during the holidays they therefore are taking a childminders full time space. As such you are required to pay full fee for the time that they are at preschool, as the childminder cannot then fill the part time that they are at pre school.

I give a copy to all new parents and reiterate it when children get to preSchool age. Hope it helps.

I just explain that the charge is for my availability. By the same token, I charge for this reason if they are away, but not if I am away (because I'm not available).

I do not have any school or pre school runs at the moment (11 yr old DD) and I have to say it is not only easier for me, but also for the other children, who do not have to wake up from sleeps, rush back from the park, etc.

do they need you to cover the 3 hours in the holidays too?

Tell them if that they are paying to keep their space for inset days and school holidays

As pointed out by others, a lot will depend on whether you have the children during holidays, and as Daneth pointed out, advise you will pick up only. But I also point out to parents, by the time I put children in the car (live in rural area shortest drive is 10 mins), I don't get back and start the rest of the morning until late, then have to start preparations to pick up 15/20 minutes before getting there, so even if could find someone else would still only be able to offer around 2.5 hours because of the travelling time.

i charge whilst children are in pre-school if i take them and collect them. I have one child who i collect in afternoon, the parent knows that if i get another child interested in her space i will first offer her the chance to pay for the day to keep the space or i'll have to give it to the other child.

You're also expected to work with the preschool to meet the child's needs as required by the EYFS. You take them to preschool: you collect them from preschool. Don't let them think you're being paid to do nothing: looking after a child that attends other settings is extra work for you.

If you use NCMA contracts, note 24 (back of the third page) covers payment when children go to playgroup, and confirms that if you are responsible for the child during this time and as they are filling a space during these hours then normal childminding fees are applicable.

so tell her to look elsewhere - it's fairly standard

dont know a cm who doesnt charge.. of course you have to otherwise your income is down as you cant fill that space..

you are self employed.. your rules.. if she doesnt like it then she can look elsewhere but i would be amazed if she finds a registered cm who wouldnt say the same thing.. silly woman she sounds..

Thanks everyone, the replies have been really useful. Flisspaps - hadnt noticed that in the contract, so thanks, good to see it in writing somewhere!

BUT if you only have a term time contract, then you can't charge for the time in between. You ONLY charge IF the child's pre-school is closed during term-time.
It is a pain, but not much else that you can do about it unless you charge a slightly higher fee.