This has been asked before I think

[peckarollover]

I have had a call today from someone desperate for me to look after her 6 month old for 2 full days a week as of February.

Catch is she doesnt drive so wanted to know what it would cost to have him collected and delivered. She is flexible I think so could probably get him after school run but the only thing is she lives right in the town centre so a bit of a traffic nightmare.

What would you charge to make it worthwhile?

TBH yes i would - I dont drive earlier - but I would be prepared to pay someone to pick up my child as well as look after them

can't you charge for the time - ie from when you set off - plus petrol?

I do a home run for the twins I look after as their mum doesn't drive,
like fancy hat suggested I always charge from the point I leave the house to pick them up from school to the time I get back home from taking them to their home and also approx cost of fuel on top.

Likewise, I too charge from the moment I leave house to moment of Nursery pickup (30 mins away) plus bus fares on top if I take the bus - also do the same if I pick up from their home or deliver which I too occasionally.

I don't think you can charge the parents mileage - something to do with car insurance and taxi stuff (but I can't remember what)

You must just charge a higher rate...I think?

Katymac, if you remember where you found that can you please post.

I haven't yet done such a journey but I quote 40p per mile plus travelling time.

It's something to do with charging for using the car - it makes you a taxi I think & that invalidates your insurance

Don't know why I think that tho' or remember where from

I'm not entirely sure but if you carry for pay (which in this case I guess you would be) then that does need to be reflected in your insurance details - I'm fairly sure that for nannying at least (which could be different) it's a minimal addition to your premium (I'm talking £5-10 a year iirc) tbh if that is the case it would be far better to charge miles and pay appropriate insurance - if you did some pay gymnastics, where on paper you weren't being paid to ferry them around, it could have the potential to come unstuck if you did have an accident.

I have business use insurance, i specified I was a Registered Childminder when I got the policy. Surely thats all we need?

Business insurance is fine for carrying the children whilst a childminder - but I'm sure that when you start charging the parents the mileage your car is "for hire" and therefore a "taxi" (obviously it isn't - but that's the theory)

I checked this with the network co-ordinator who is happy for C/Mers to run children from here & there to just about anywhere - but we can't charge the parents the mileage.....just an increased rate (I was going to be running a little girl with SN around and didn't want to be out of pocket)

still really dilemaaed about what to tell this lady i propose

How will the drive into town after school run impact on your time? If it takes a long time to get there and home, you need to consider how it will impact on any other mindees. If it doesn't affect other mindees now, might it be a problem later on if you take on other children?

What happens if your car is out-of-action one day?

How would the mum feel if you offered to do it on a trial basis for a while, to see if it would work OK (could be a problem, obviously, if it didn't suit you and you couldn't continue). Are you desperate for work? How long term might you have this child? Is the mum having driving lessons, or is there anyone else (friend or family?) who might be able to do the driving for her.

If you do it, I would certainly charge from the time you have to leave home, and until the time you expect to get back.

I have collected and dropped children off, but have only charged my normal hourly rate. When I've done this, it has usually slotted into my normal day (and added 5 minutes onto the school run time or whatever). I've also done the occasional "awkward" trip if it helps parents out (their car in garage or whatever).

It couldnt be more of an awkward trip and Im presuming the hours will be hellish too (ie 9 - 5 care so travelling at the worst times of the day.)

It involves a drive through the town centre in peak traffic.

The days Im planning on having him wouldnt impact current mindees too much although I do have a toddler on one of the mornings I would have to do a pick up.

Im considering suggesting it is very very early or otherwise by the time I have got DD to school and DS to playgroup when he starts it will be after 10am by the time I got there.

ohhhhhhhh I just dont know - I do really want to do the childcare - she is desperate for me to be the one that looks after him, I REALLY need the money and I will probably have him for the long term (he is 6 months old and will carry on coming and probably more hours eventually)

If the mum is going to work, will she need you to fit in with her working hours (ie. 10am pick-up might be too late?)

If you really want to look after him, do it!! There are worse things that we have to do in this job, and traffic is the least of it.

she is very flexible as working from home - I think too flexible really as she is leaving it all up to me so not sure what is ok or not!

1. Decide if you want to look after the baby. Yes? That's the difficult bit decided!!

2. If you really do have the choice (or is mum just trying to keep you happy, but might actually have a preference?) - you need to see how well an early pick-up would compare to a later one; and also look at the drop-off times too. How long does your rush-hour last? If it starts at 7.30am, you'll be better off doing a later pick-up? Does a later pick-up interfere with any groups you go to?

Congratulations, you've just landed yourself a new mindee