CM Club - should i charge for a new baby setlling in?

[diddle]

I have a new baby officially starting the end of June. But she is coming for a few visits before then to get used to the house and us. should i charge for these visits or not?

maybe charge half fee i dont know but i personally wouldnt do it for free as you are working and it may be harder work with the baby being new, more crying etc
but i havent had any children yet so maybe you should charge full fee? we'll wait for the more exp cm's to come along....

My c/minder had my son for 3 half days to be sure he settled.. I paid her for them and she handed me the 3 half days pay back in an envelope and asked me "not to insult her" :)

thats what i'm thinking, i don't feel right accepting money for it. not sure a few hours to settle the baby.

a nursery wouldn't charge for this. but then you are not a nursery! if its just the odd hour, i would say not to charge and then it would get you and mindees parents off to great start. if its four half days its maybe a different matter.

well, I'd say of course you should! You're providing a service and yr time - just
make sure the parents understand this.

i think if i had turned someone elses child away to create the room on the setlling in days it would be different, but i have a space for a few hours next week, so thought id offer her the chance to start settling in the baby.
hmm what a dilemma

If the mum fits in with what I offer - I don't charge

If she says I can't do this & I can't do that - then I charge

Also I kinda expect them to be at home if their are any problems so if they intend to go shopping etc I charge

Does that make sense?

I charge if I am looking after the child by myself. If a parent is staying and we are doing a "getting to know each other better and having a coffee", then I wouldn't charge.

I find it works better to charge because then the parent can ask for as much or as little time as they want, without feeling that they are taking the mickey.

What i did with the last baby i had for a settling in period was: The first couple of times he came, he only stayed an hour/hour and a half, so i didn't charge. Then the following week he stayed longer, say half a day so i charged then. The parents were quite happy with this, but everyone has different way of doing things

I do charge, normal rate.xx

Same as TP - if parent stays then no charge - if I am on my own, I charge.

I now offer a first session of 1-2 hours without the parent for free. Any other time the child is left without the parent is charged for at full fees.

Settling in is still working - they have decided to use you, and should pay for your time.

If this is more of a trial to see if the baby will settle with you, then maybe the first time free and then normal rates after that.

If parent stays no charge.