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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Charging for school drop offs?

46 replies

SazZaVoom · 24/09/2011 17:53

can anyone advise as to whether this is the 'norm' and if so how much you charge per child per day (plus any sibling discounts)

Does it make any difference if you are going to that school anyway at the same time to drop your own children off?

Thanks

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SquishyCinnamonSwirls · 25/09/2011 09:58

I don't give a sibling discount, but I don't charge for transport. If that's any help at all? :)
I wouldn't charge a drop off/pick up fee, it would just be part of my normal hourly rate. But I do know of a local nursery that charges for school runs, I think it's £2.50 per child per run.

hocuspontas · 25/09/2011 10:00

I'd just say no. That's utterly outrageous. As for her mum, well, if there are parents who are being forced to pay that, they are either stupid or desperate.

Original poster

SazZaVoom · 25/09/2011 10:17

My current cm would charge £36.00 for the same thing if it were her local school pickup, so it seemed a big hike to me, especially when compared to the nanny option.

I guess from responses on here that cm charging for this is rare, but some might incorporate it in a higher after school rate.

Thanks all

OP posts:

UniS · 25/09/2011 12:16

we pay
3.50 an hour standard
5.20 an hour with pick up/ drop off

So 2 hours plus drop off would be 8.70

HSMM · 25/09/2011 13:39

If it was me, you'd pay at least my usual hourly rate for the 5 hrs. Taking other children to school is not the same as just taking my own.

lesstalkmoreaction · 25/09/2011 14:04

If it was me I just charge £5 per hour per child, no discount and I don't do evening meals. Ignore the fact that she does the school run for her own child and also ignore the fact that her child and yours are friends because that sometimes can be a nightmare especially if they fall out because they end up spending too much time together!!
I would suggest to your childminder that she thinks about a standard fee for before school and afterschool or a rate for the week for you. It helps to keep it simple.

lesstalkmoreaction · 25/09/2011 14:04

Or suggest an amount that works for you and see if she agrees.

looneytune · 25/09/2011 14:17

Hi - you asked where this info about not being allowed to charge for the actual journey and all I can confirm is it's not an OFSTED thing. Shame Nannynick isn't here as he's great with this but it's more of an insurance thing. I'm 99.99% sure it's illegal for us to add a charge for the journey, however she could call it a 'before school' and 'after school' charge and therefore could charge the higher amount, she just can't say it's a charge for the drop off/collection (as this is where the 'taxi' type issue comes up). I wish I could remember the ins and outs, I just know there is 'something' about charging this separate. Not much help am I!

kelly2000 · 25/09/2011 18:53

Does she have to pay more insurance if she is transporting the children in he rown car during her childcare hours?

UniS · 25/09/2011 18:57

Driving for hire or reward is not normally covered on standard car insurance. business use is allowed however.

floatyjosmum · 25/09/2011 20:19

im feeling like i have a cheap cm - i pay 3.50 per hour and no extras for anything.

I dont think i would want to pay extra for the pickup as i know my cm picks up her own 2 and at least 3 others (she'd make a killing)

TheOriginalFAB · 25/09/2011 20:26

Does she charge extra for taking little ones to playgroup?

looneytune · 25/09/2011 20:38

That's right, it's something about not being covered under the insurance but we have to have business use as standard. We claim mileage on our expenses and this is where we claw back the cost of driving around but there shouldn't be a set fee for just that. But she would be within her right to charge set sessional fees which she might whack up to allow for the travelling but I agree with others, this sounds expensive regardless of whether or not she takes her own/other children to that school.

HSMM · 25/09/2011 21:36

Her car insurance must cover her for childminding. If she charges for a car journey, then she is offering a Taxi service and must register as a taxi. As a cm she can charge you for the hours worked under her normal registration

ChippingIn · 25/09/2011 21:46

One thing you need to consider (when weighing all of this up!) is that wrap around care nannies are really hard to find and harder to keep.

Given that she's asked you what you think I would tell her that you are currently paying £36 for the same thing and if she is going to charge you any more than £x (whatever you think it is worth to you) then you will have to look at other options because it's not affordable. Then leave it up to her to decide if she wants your children or not at that rate.

Original poster

SazZaVoom · 25/09/2011 22:07

Chipping you have hit the nail on the head, and is the way i will be going forward. Having spoken to my SIL (who is a CM), the dropoff/pickup charge seems rare, so i will ask her for a set fee for pre and post school and go from there.

I agree the nanny option is hard to find, but i think i may have found one which suits (and which is obviously easier than using the CM as she will come to our house)

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woahthere · 25/09/2011 22:45

hmm, its still less than £5 per hour, its not too outrageous but I would be honest with her and say its too much and then try and renegotiate an hourly rate that includes the transport, but I would say point blank refuse to entertain the mother of hers idea, that is far too much.

ChippingIn · 25/09/2011 22:47

Well if you have found a nanny that's happy to do it and for the amount you are prepared to pay - great!! They are like golden hens teeth around here!

One thing you might want to consider with the CM (if you end up going that way) is having a different school holiday rate or you'll end up paying the 'includes transport' rate even then.

Original poster

SazZaVoom · 25/09/2011 22:52

woahthere - i have 2 dd's, so is almost £10 per hour which i can get the nanny (gross) for. TBH, i am slightly concerned about her mother's influence as i can see it being an ongoing presence

Good thought Chipping, i will make sure holiday/all day rates do not include 'transport'

OP posts:

Original poster

SazZaVoom · 25/09/2011 22:53

I do think now, if the nanny agrees to the hours I will be going with her. It just seems less hassle all round.

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woahthere · 25/09/2011 23:10

i realise that, i was saying less than 5 for 2 children, i know its a lot but it is normal, i am a cm and i dont give sibling discount because i could earn more having 2 seperate children. i would try renegotiating with her, and also like i said before be honest about the mothers involvement, say 'i dont like the fact that you have told me what your mother would do because i want to make an arrangement with you' ...youve really got nothing to lose, she might not want to lose you so might be perfectly happy to agree to something else. However, go for the nanny if its better, having a nanny might be nice and flexible (although would you have to give her fuel costs too?!) good luck.

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