Cm club: increasing fees

[PhoebeMcPeePee]

I've had a family with me for nearly a year & want to increase my fees from 1st Jan but not sure what is (a) reasonable & (b) sensible. They are currently paying £5ph whereas all my other mindees pay £6ph which is the norm for the area (or some do £5.50ph + meals). The other CM's who cover the village/local school are full as I'm regularly asked if I have spaces that they can't fill so whilst I'd rather not lose them, it wouldn't be a complete disaster if they walked.

Any comments from parents or cm much appreciated.

why are they paying less then your other mindees? or did you up your fees 6mths ago with new mindees?

either way, if you really arent bothered if you lose them then tell them their fees will be going up to £6 in line with other cm in area and also in line with other mindees you look after

be warned though, if they are full time ie 50ish hours a week, thats £200 extra a month they need to find and may give notice as a 20% hike in fees is a lot

They are PT so £6ph would increase their fees by £100pcm which @ 20% I agree is a big hike hence my dilemma!

I agreed to drop fees because I didn't have any other enquires & was getting desperate for some income but since then there are less childminders & the school has expanded again so more children!

Could you increase to £5.50 now and then to £6 in a year? If you get on well with them and the kids are settled, is that worth more than more money from an unknown family?