Some general q's

[JenumGeranium]

Can I just ask for some answers to these questions I have?

1. Do you have a minimum number of sessions that a parent has to take?

2. If someone works shift work - 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off do you charge for the 2 weeks off?

3. If someone wants to hold a place what is the best way - a deposit or a retainer (which I dont really understand).

I have a parent coming to see me today with regards to looking after her child for 1-2 afternoons a week and I have had an enq for another child starting in Jan 06 but parent works shifts. This child would be all day. I think the child starting in Jan would be better for me (i.e more hours - better income) but whats the way to go here - is it first come first served? Do I have to offer the lady this afternoon the place - I will let her know that it has to be a 2 day place or it wont be worth it.

Thanks for your advice

I dont do a minimum amount but i wouldnt take a parttimer just for the sake of it if i thought i could take a full timer for it. I would wait.

You take a deposit if you have a place at the start of a placement in case they dont pay, take the place etc

A retainer is to keep the place open till it is a time for them ie if you couldnt take the child till jan/or if they didnt need you till then and they wanted you to keep the space.

It doesnt have to be first come,its your business you choose.

You don't have to offer a place simply because you have a vacancy. You are free to pick and choose the family just as they are free to choose which childminder they want.

As the other job doesn't start until january you might want to ask for a retainer. I think the charging 1/2 the fee is quite usual here but I've never done it myself so I'm not sure. I have been let down in the past when I have held a place for someone so make sure you look after yourself first.

I don't have a minimum number of sessions but you need to do what is best for you. When i first started minding and could only take 1 child I needed to turn down a couple of people who only wanted 1-2 days as I needed more hours.

Thanks jellyjelly! I am really unsure as to what to do. I dont want to end up with none of these children.

I will have to see if the person wanting the place in Jan does actually want to start with me and if they are ok with the fees and how do I go about telling the lady this afternoon?

I really dont know what to do!

Thanks too amynnixmum!

I really need to think about this!

Any other advice ? please?

Why dont you just meet her say you have a vacancy which you do and then think about how the child will fit in. I Meet the parents see what i think of them and then ask them to call back if they want a place. By then i have deceided if they will fit in or not and if i like the parents. Have turned down a few parents now.

I never do the contracts on the first meeting so you can have a second or third meeting and still have time to say yes or no.

Do you know when they jan parents are choosing? Would you be able to call and ask if they want the palce as someone that wants you is willing to start straight away and would they be able to pay a retainer if they do want you?

Yeah I may just do that jellyjelly! I only have an email for Jan parents and I have sent them a message explaining. Just waiting to hear back! I guess I could just say to the other parent that I will get back to them or them to me! Gives me a bit of breathing space and time for Jan parents to get back to me!

Thanks again. I honestly didnt think it would be this confusing!

Also would you charge for the 2 weeks that the parent didnt work?

I get a full address and tel number for when parents make enquiries or when making a interview time so i can phone up later to chase up work.

I would get half payment or come to a deal/agreement with them about what to do on the 2 weeks..

yeah I would normally do this too, but this enq came from my website email and they didnt leave any details! Typical!

I was thinking about maybe charging half payment actually! I suppose we could come up with something!

As has already been said it is totally up to you who you take on.

I personally wouldn't insist on parents coming for a minimum amount of time (apart from afterschoolers, and I charge for a minimum of one hour).

With regard to how to talk to parents - I would be honest with the 1/2 afternoons-a-week parent, and say that you would ideally like to have a full-time child, but would consider part-time. It may be that she would like to have two full days, you never know!

Just noticed that the mum has been to see you this afternoon, so how did you get on?

Thanks ThePrisoner!

It turns out that she only wanted 1 day a week. I could have done a Wed as I have less children then but she wanted a Tuesday, I told her that I could do Wed so have left it with her. TBH though I think I would rather wait and take on a child who does more hours. I am still waiting to hear back from the Jan 06 starter, but I will get in touch with parent I saw this afternoon and let her know I wont be able to do just one afternoon a week.

Thanks for everyone who helped me with this!