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Childcare
What would you charge for these hours?
agalch · 11/12/2006 08:48
Currently on mat leave but returning to work in January(boo hoo).
Had an enquiry from a mum who wants 8am till 6pm Monday to Friday.I know her current minder(who is letting her go cos she wants an earlier finish)doesn't charge an awful lot.
I will only be able to have 1 under 5 as my 2 dd's are little.
Waht would you say is a fair rate to charge? I'm in Scotland btw.
Thanks
ThePrisoner · 11/12/2006 21:28
Whatever your normal rate is should be what you charge the new family. It doesn't really matter what their previous minder charged.
If there are lots of minders competing for business in your area, and you desperately want/need this mindee (and full-time is brilliant) - then that is the only time I think you could consider a reduced rate. (But I wouldn't!)
How does what you want to charge compare to other minders in your area?
agalch · 11/12/2006 21:38
Thanks everyone.
My usual rate is 3.00 per hr but i usually only mind 4/5 days and only 8 hrs per day so this is 10 hrs per day and works out at 150 per week.
Just feel like for 50 hrs per week i should be getting a reasonable amount of money.But my dd's are 2.5 and 16 weeks so i can only have 1 under 5 and don't want to scare her away iyswim .
Rookietherednosedreindeer · 12/12/2006 09:32
Don't back down, just mentally say I'm worth it, I'm worth it.£3.00 an hour seems very reasonable to me.
Our CM charges £4.00 an hour which is slightly over the going rate for my area and whilst I was slightly surprised when she told me how much it was it was obvious from her tone of voice that there was no negotiation around it. I respect her a lot because she values what she does just as I do and subconciously I thought oh she must be good if she is happy for me to walk away unless I pay that rate.
uwila · 12/12/2006 10:05
£150 per week for full time childcare is reasonable in my book. I looked into the cost of a childminder in Twickenham (West London) and was told it was £6 per hour per child. I have two kids. So, a 50 hour week would cost me £600! Needless to say, I 'll stick with the live-in nanny for that price.
StrawberrySnowflakes · 12/12/2006 13:27
i charge £3 between 8.30 - 5.30 and £4 before or after that time(up till 6.30 then gos up again), dont undercut yourself, explain you will include lunch, snacks and juice(she may have paid extra for these?) and go on about all the plaxces you take them and cover yourself(free groups and park but she doesnt need to know)
its a long day, its what im doing at minute and until after christmas, so dont do it for the goodness of your heart!
ThePrisoner · 12/12/2006 20:57
agalch - am I assertive in RL? Hmmm ... I am when it comes to sticking to my normal hourly rate - there is definitely no negotiation. I am not in the slightest bit assertive when it comes to actually getting the money paid!!
I am ultra-assertive with the children. I really really scare them.
hoxohoxohoxo · 12/12/2006 21:15
sorry , meant to say I would not delude the payer about where you take the kids to, and disguise the price, As a mum I am happier if you take the kids to the (free) park rather than a drop in group. don't do that - she'll find out anyway and there really is no need.
agalch · 13/12/2006 08:48
Thanks again all
Have decided to go with 2.75 per hour which will include brekkie snacks and lunch and will offer dinner at 1 pound per day.
If she decides she won't pay that she will need to look elsewhere.I feel i am being as fair as i can,just need to tell her now lol.
agalch · 15/12/2006 23:55
Quick update
Mum came for a visit.Had sent out my welcome leaflet and fee info.Went well enough and we liked one another.Agreed on everything.
2nd last thing she said was she would have to work out the money as she didn't think she could pay much more than she was paying now.So i just said ok let me know over the weekend if you require he space.
Last thing she said was how many settling in visits do you want to do next week.
So no clue as to whether she will want the space or not.
Will just have to wait and see,I think she may phone to ask me to reduce the fees from 3 pounds per hour to 2 pounds per hour.But i am def not doing it.
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