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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

Childminders how do you charge parent?

17 replies

MJP1 · 07/04/2014 15:56

Hi I'm finally Qualified ( my registration was visit this morning :) and now I'm starting to think yea finally I will have my own mindees ! Anyway I'm not sure how I will charge them? I want to do it fairly for them and so I have money coming in regularly so I can pay my bills. I have written my fees policy it's just how to calculate the fees I think, sorry this sounds confusing doesn't it, hope you get what I mean. Thank you x

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

realitygone · 07/04/2014 16:17

I have different ways of charging depending on type of care.

Do you have a template invoice?

Will you ask for weekly or monthly payments?

HSMMaCM · 07/04/2014 20:20

I charge monthly in advance. Some parents prefer to pay by monthly standing order, so the invoice just shows how far ahead/behind they are from their balance.

Lucylouby · 07/04/2014 22:06

I have a set fee for the contracted hours. They always pay me that amount of money unless I am unavailable/on holiday. Even if they choose not to send their cod for some reason, or if the child is ill, they still pay me. This ensures I know what's coming in each month. I get paid monthly in arreas at the moment, but depending on the family and circumstances I have been paid in advance and also weekly in he past.
Is any of this what you were asking about? I'm a bit unsure from your post, if you have written a policy I would think you know what you are asking for?

Tombelaneige · 07/04/2014 22:57

I charge weekly in arrears

DrowningOnSchoolRun · 08/04/2014 09:34

Monthly in advance here

WhatsTheWordHummingbird · 08/04/2014 09:36

My CM adds up the years fees and divides by twelve - parents pay direct debit once a month.

Any overtime is paid in cash at the end of the week used.

mindingalongtime · 08/04/2014 16:11

Month deposit and a month up front, no exceptions. That way I am covered for a month if they default, and it is more often than you might think so a lot of colleagues are finding out to their loss.

Forresitters · 08/04/2014 16:39

I charge monthly in advance with fees being due the 1st of each month. I calculate my fees according to contracted days for the calendar month. For example April I charge from 1st-30th based on weekdays my mindee is contracted to attend. If the child is sick, on holiday, occasional day off or I take my own holiday - full fee is still payable. If I am sick there is no charge and the next months invoice will be adjusted to reflect this.
I also take a minimum of two weeks fees as a deposit - then you know parents are serious about taking the Childcare space. I used to charge in arrears but have learnt my lesson now!
Can send you my sample invoices if that would help?

HSMMaCM · 08/04/2014 17:20

I take a 4 week deposit when contracts are signed and then refund it against first invoices. Saves the problem of a family just not bothering to turn up on their first day.

Original poster

MJP1 · 08/04/2014 20:54

Thank you ladies I really appreciate the advice x
Forresitters yes please that would be great thank you xx

OP posts:

nokidshere · 10/04/2014 21:20

I charge monthly in advance. I do an annual figure based on holidays and contracted hours and they pay me the same every month.

TheJumped · 10/04/2014 21:25

I use a CM and she charges monthly in arrears but seems to do whatever works best for different parents.

She doesn't charge if my child doesn't go. Nor does she take paid holiday. But she always is so so flexible - it's fantastic and one of the reasons I picked a CM over a nursery. I did see one that had mega detailed and strict fees policies including £2 for every minute I would be late picking my child up! With my current one I text her if I'm going to be late so she can give him good or a nap or whatever... think I'm very lucky to have found her tbh.

cjm10979 · 15/04/2014 09:58

I would not charge for your own holidays. You are running a business from your own home and the Inland Revenue would not agree that you should be charging parents when you can not offer a service (you are not an employee!!!). If parents choose to go on holiday your contract is still in force and therefore fees are still payable.
Developing a sense of customer service where you tell parents well in advance when you are going on holiday would help to avoid problems later down the line.

Tanith · 15/04/2014 20:59

CJM, the Inland Revenue are perfectly aware that some childminders charge for their holidays as part of their contracts. It does not make us employees.

realitygone · 16/04/2014 07:05

cjm I think you should have a look into that, are you a cm?

Many cms charge for holidays, as long as the money goes through on the tax return I doubt that hmrc will be particularly bothered

Yangsun · 16/04/2014 07:14

Like the

Yangsun · 16/04/2014 07:20

Ooh annoying my phone's playing up! Like thejumped I use a really flexible cm who charges only for what I use and is happy to accommodate the vagaries of my job. I pay weekly and the only negative is that she doesn't send an invoice - only a receipt of what I've paid. This means I'm constantly concerned I may not be giving her what she expects (eg sometimes she will give dd an extra meal and I'm never sure whether I need to pay for it) she seems really embarrassed about discussing money too so I just think a clear invoice would be easier for us both.

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