CM CLUB:Just had a call re afterschool care..HELP!

[StrawberrySnowflakes]

child is already with friend who is cm but is finishing in sept this yearto go back to teaching(8 months awway)..wants to come round fri do check me out.BUT...she only pays friend £2.75 at min, i charge £4 for before or after school AND although she is 9 so wont fall into my ratios, should i charge her a retainer???and for what amount if yes????..she can always wait and see, but i dont want to rely on a part-timer and she change her mind come sept?
all advice welcome

I would charge your normal rates, it doesn't matter what anyone else charges - unless you are desperate for the work (but I still wouldn't!!)

Can't answer about retainers because I don't charge them.

I don't have personal experience with this one, but I am not sure I would charge a retainer, as she doesn't count toward your numbers now or then..

I wouldn't change my rate either - but you may want to come to some sort of negotiation when you meet up.

I find that I am underselling myself, and struggle with the money part of it.

i wouldnt charge a retainer as she is over 8 and only before and after school
just tell the parent to phone nearer the time to see if a place is available and stick to your own fees dont bow down to her

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well i am confident in still cahrging her my rate and not the piddly amount friend was regrettably charging her, but i didnt know what proportion of that to charge as a retainer?..seems not at all...but come sept, i may have more over 8's to care for, meaning i dont actually want another on?dya think i could be canny and say she needs to leave a £50 flat retainer in order for me to make sure come Sept i have saved a place for her??or am i being mega cheeky beatch!?

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..will have to put my power suit on and bitch red lipstick to feel authoritive enough to say give me £50..NOW!..snooze or you loose lady!

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well it would only be just over her first weekly fee, so i dont really think its that bad to ask for a bit of security and it would be soley to keep place open, not down against future fees!?

well lipstick will be smudged all over mindees heads from when then come in for a cuddle , so she'll think i beat them up!and power suit will be stuck with salt doh and coloured with poster paint, so she'll think im slovenly!..nah wont work!

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well i thought £50 as like was said i can have her dd regardless of ratio's, and should something happen if i cannot have her dd, £50 isnt as much to pay back?

AND.................DD's head mistres has said i can put up a buisiness poster in their main entrance (already have one in nursery, but am full for that age group)

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hmmm, so i need to word it to her (BTW, doesnt speak very good english im told?) that the deposit is purely to secure place in sept..hey..there..that should do it..eeeeh, i surprise myself sometimes

right then, am doing my poster/flyer for main school window, what do you suggest i put, am working on it now and my others from vistaprint are fab, but want "before and after schhol care" to stand out more..got ofsted reg, fully qualified inc first aid, large designated playroom full of fun/educational activities, large safe garden with areas for all weathers...???????????

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Shosha, can i email my flyer to haev a look at?, printer wont print??so will have to get dp to print off at work and laminate while hes there..let me know what you think

honestly mind!

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thanks Shosha, i emailed you back..nuther question.........
when this mum comes round, what kind of questions should i be asking this mum?

need to speak about deposit - check
hours - spoke to current cm, its 10 hrs a week after school- check

need to knwo wether it just term time(and if it is do you normally put up price to compensate for shortfall during hol?)

and what else???, am fine with full timers but know this one will be different?..any advise appreciated.

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Strawberry - I think you mean a deposit, not a retainer.

Yes I'd charge her a deposit, but not a retainer. £50 is fine, but it counts towards her first lot of fees.

yeah i did initially say i was wondering on a retainer but hte £50 would be a deposit, but purely to hold place for her as shosha says, i dont 'want' ten, so if i get more enquiries, i will turn down because of this child.