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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

children from same family, do you offer a discount?

22 replies

boo70 · 20/01/2007 22:36

Have two children from same family started, contract needs reviewing and parents have asked for a discounted rate on second child. I know it can work out expensive from a parents point of view, but they take up 2 spaces which i could get full amount from. Dont know what to do!!!!

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smeeinit · 20/01/2007 22:52

i do discount on full timers from same family but not much of a discount as 2 children take up 2 spaces and are no less work!
has teh 2nd child just started with you? and did you agree on a discount for 2nd child when originally signed contracts?

Katymac · 20/01/2007 23:00

Put child one's money up and keep child two's the same.........if they complain keep them both at the current price

Or say well I was going to put it up to XYZ but just for you I'll only increase by half that amount for the second child

Original poster

boo70 · 20/01/2007 23:02

have minded for 6 months now and said at the start that i did not offer a discount, and their only part time.Your right they are no less work.

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Original poster

boo70 · 20/01/2007 23:03

Thats a good idea Katymac!!

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Original poster

boo70 · 20/01/2007 23:06

This family are really giving me a hard time with payment and have included more and more extras all which i do free of charge, just feel having the p taken out of me know. When i said i am going to charge for contracted hours at half fee if children did not attend they hit the roof!!!!

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smeeinit · 20/01/2007 23:10

i would def not offer any discount to them whatsoever now you have told the full story!
minding them for 6 months then they ask for a discount?! wtf?!!!
at the end of the day you are running a buisness and if they dont like it then id be inclined to tell them to find a different cm!!!

NurseyJo · 20/01/2007 23:11

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Original poster

boo70 · 20/01/2007 23:15

I know smeeinit thats how i really feel at the moment,it is just so much hassle. Have tried to stand my ground with this family, when i said about the fees and that i dont want to give a discount, they said who gives me the right to make up these charges!!

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NurseyJo · 20/01/2007 23:18

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Original poster

boo70 · 20/01/2007 23:18

Iknow they are getting a good deal but now i have told them of these changes i have really seen a different side to this family.

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Original poster

boo70 · 20/01/2007 23:21

Your right NurseyJo, I have to meet them Monday and i am dreading it, but your right i am just going to have to tell them that it is not negotiable .

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nannynick · 21/01/2007 00:37

Good for you... it's your business and you can run it as you wish. If they don't like it, they can give the appropriate notice and leave.
The last thing you want is to start resenting having the children... you won't like the job, it will become a daily grind.

Adopt a policy and stick with it. Either the parents value your service, or they don't. If they feel you are charging too much, they can take their business else where. You can then concentrate on filling your places with children from families who do value your service.

Making business decisions can be very tough at times, but we all have to make them. The key is making the decision and then sticking to it - it is easier said than done, but once you have done it, you will feel happier.

smeeinit · 21/01/2007 10:08

wtf? "who gives you the right to make up these charges?"!! wtf!!!!!!!!!!!
its your buisness,you are a self employed child carer,they do not employ you,they pay you for a service just as they would if their children were in a nursery,cheeky b*stards! how very dare they?!!
i would be very straight with them when you meet tomorrow and like nannynick says stick to your decision. its not easy especially as its 2 children you would lose if they dont like it but personally i would rather have parents who value me as a child carer than ones who think im just the hired help!

TheIronLady · 21/01/2007 16:46

I do before and after school care for four childdren from same family which equates to four hours per day. I made it clear from the start that I do not offer discount. Like you say Boo, if children are taking up places, we need to charge for them. Oh and when a child does not attend their contracted session for whatever reason, they still have to pay full fee. Mostly though, I offer an alternative day as all my other mindees are all part-time.

Aero · 21/01/2007 17:01

I'd do the same as Katymac, but perhaps the other way round. Tell her you are putting your prices up anyway and the new price for new children starting (or in their case, their second child will be £Xph). If you keep the first child's price the same, she will therefore be getting a discount. If they don't like it they can go elsewhere.

If you do give a discount for families, give it to the older child as that is the one who will leave for school first (if you can stick this family that long!). Tbh though, this family sound difficult and I'd probably not bother!

ThePrisoner · 21/01/2007 17:17

I don't do discounts.

I assume that these parents haven't asked for a discount in jest, but it certainly doesn't sound like it bearing in mind their attitude to you!

Why are the children not attending sometimes? For sickness, holiday, just not turning up?

dmo · 21/01/2007 19:04

i have after school children from the same family but do not offer a discount (even thought the eldest is over 8)
i have in my contracts that i will offer a family discount if two or more children attend my setting full time (that would mean 2 children under 5)

dont do it by the sound of it they sound like bullys asking you to do above and beoned what your paid for, if they moan add extra on for snacks

sootyrupert · 21/01/2007 20:58

I have dd and ds at cm 3 days a week and do not get any discount for second child and although I would love it if i did would never expect it or even have asked!! Also just had price increase of 1 pound per hour for each child and although this is a nightmare I value cm and she does a fab job so am happy to pay for my children to be well cared for and happy.

ev1esmum · 21/01/2007 21:05

hi there

I do less 1/3 for second child. Child who comes most hours pays full price.

hth

Original poster

boo70 · 21/01/2007 21:22

Thanks for all of your advice guys im really dreading it tom, i hate being confronted and i know its going to be a tough one. Really getting a bad vibe from this family they have called me today twice asking what i am going to do about this reduction as new contracts are suppose to start tom. Ive had a real busy day today and told them i will speak to them tom but she just called again(did not answer).

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smeeinit · 21/01/2007 22:33

boo i would be very evry pissed off if they rang me on a weekend let alone 3 times on a sunday!
how would they like it if work rang them 3 times on a day off?! how rude!

smeeinit · 21/01/2007 22:34

hope it goes well tomorrow,stick to your guns and dont be intimidated. good luck.let us know how it goes.

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