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Original poster

Childminders Club: Advice re: trial session TOMORROW

10 replies

looneytune · 23/04/2006 13:40

Hello

Need some advice please. Since I started minding, nobody has wanted/needed a trial session.

Last week I signed another baby up and this time, totally forgot to ask if she wanted a trial session at all (i.e. couple of hours) - we were so busy chit chatting that I forgot Grin

Anyway, she called and would like me to do a trial session tomorrow (then start properly in couple of weeks) - all afternoon. I've agreed that is fine.

NOW...........do I charge for this? If I was having a little trial session like the sort I discuss (normally) at my contract signing, I wouldn't charge as would just be couple of hours. This is going to be more like 5 hours and now I just don't know what to do?

What would you do?

:)

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jellyjelly · 23/04/2006 14:41

I would maybe do a couple of hours free than charge for the others. I do a couple of hours for free then any after i would charge.

HappyMumof2 · 23/04/2006 14:43

I would always charge. Just because it's a trial session doesn't mean you shouldn't be paid!
Will the mum be staying? I may not charge if she was (and it was only an hour or so) but definately would for a full afternoon.

Original poster
looneytune · 23/04/2006 15:08

No, not staying, off to hairdressers at some point. She just thought it would be good to have a trial before she starts work so that she's around if needed iykwim.

Still not sure what to do?

OP posts:
lunavix · 23/04/2006 15:11

I'd charge, but I feel uncomforable bringing money up. I try to make it clear at our first meetings but after that I really HATE mentioning it!

Original poster
looneytune · 23/04/2006 15:25

Me too, this is my problem. We gassed for about 2 hours at contract signing, about stuff not really to do with childminding so when we kept coming back to the contract, we sort of looked at the time and did it as fast as we could. This is why I reckon I forgot to mention a trial session.

She just rang the next day and asked if I was available tomorrow to have a try at it with her still being around in case I needed her.

I'm hoping she's expecting to pay something as I also HATE bringing money up!

I don't mind giving a couple of hours for free but I don't want to do the whole afternoon at no charge. Especially as it's my ds and one of my mindees first day at their new pre-school so I want to be able to have some quality time in the afternoon asking them about it - this will not be so easy with another new baby to look after.

Decisions, decisions Grin

OP posts:
lunavix · 23/04/2006 15:29

Maybe when they arrive, tell her she has two hours for free - your standard trial - and then if she wants longer she will need to pay standard rate?

I personally would never look after a child for free simply in case they never show up again!

lunavix · 23/04/2006 15:29

Maybe when they arrive, tell her she has two hours for free - your standard trial - and then if she wants longer she will need to pay standard rate?

I personally would never look after a child for free simply in case they never show up again!

Original poster
looneytune · 23/04/2006 15:39

Yes, that sounds reasonable doesn't it! Will do that - thanks :)

OP posts:
ThePrisoner · 23/04/2006 17:35

I would definitely charge if I was looking after child by myself. It seems unlikely, surely, that the mum would expect you to have her baby for 5 hours without paying anything (wow - must be having something amazing done to her hair!!)

Original poster
looneytune · 24/04/2006 09:41

Cheers TP, if you would charge then I definitely think I will Wink Cheers for that :)

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