CM Club- In a quandry, advice would be fab!!!!

[LaaLaaPosh]

Right, I shall try to make this as clear as poss....

When I first decided to register as a CM one of my friends (who's DS1 is in my DS1's class at school) immediately showed an interest in using my services for her DS2 (who is the same age as my DS2).
She works 2 days a week, and at the moment her poor little one is pushed around from pillar to post with anyone that will have him. She pays whoever has him £10 a day.

Once I became registered she asked for all my details etc. I charge £3.50per hour, or £20 per day. She said that at the mo' she can't afford my services, but is after a new job.

I am able to have 4 under 8's in total, so said I'd keep a space open for her DS2, as I know her, and he's a lovely boy, and good friends with my DS2.

Anyway....... She's now having probs with her current childcare, so I was wondering whether to say to her that I'll have her DS2 for the rate she is currently paying?

As I'm keeping a place open for him anyway, does it maybe make more sense to getting something, rather than nothing? Or should I hold out until she can pay me my usual rate?

Just don't know what to do....

If that all made sense some advice would be much appreciated!!!!

Message withdrawn

Good- I'm pleased you've said that, I've been awake all night, racked with guilt!!!!

I did wonder about maybe having a payment "review" with her, if I did take him on. I've got him tomorrow morning as an emergency (she's paying me normal rates) maybe it's something I could broach with her when I see her then

I would not hold a place indefinitely nor until "she can pay your usual rate" (this could be never).

What about agreeing an introductory discount? Maybe a reduction for first 3 months (or whatever time you both agree is reasonable). Your contract would then state your usual rate with an extra bit showing the dates during which the discount applies (or if you do one contract for the first 3 months and another to start in 3 months time then get her to sign BOTH now so she is committed to paying full price at the agreed time).

No no no no no ... don't do a special low rate. Once you set the precedent for accepting it, you're effectively saying that you're prepared to work for less money whenever.

The only time I work for anything less than the going rate, is if I volunteer to have one of my mindees because it's a emergency - I charge nothing and will do it "as a friend", and it is for a proper emergency (eg. giving birth or, as has happened recently, being in an accident, etc.)

If your friend is that badly off, would she not qualify for tax credits?

(Wasn't saying no to ayla's suggestion by the way, just to your opening post!)

Thanks for all your advice! (I'm so chuffed I found this site, I don't have to worry on my own, lol!!)

Prisoner- Tax credits being the wotsits that they are (I have personal experience of how badly organised they are!!) say that they don't qualify, or were overpaid (as we all alledily were!!!) She used to be in a very high-earning job, but was made redundant before having her 2nd son, so they are struggling with debts built up from then.

My friend mentioned putting her DS2 in nurserey for the 2 morns, then I would pick him up afterwards. However, the nursery is £5.50 per session, and I'd still have him for 5ish hours after that....hhhmmmm.....

Think I'm gonna try and have a sit down with her and go through all the hours she needs childcare, her different options etc. If only to help her get things clear in her mind, she just seems really confused by it all!

im with the others on this one,i would definatly not take a child,friend or not for £10 per day! i wouldnt even babysit for that!
like shosha says "you are a buisness" and if you do this now you are setting yourself up for probs in the future.
imo £20 per day is bloody excellent! i charge £40! altho im not far from london!

i prob would take child as i'm soft and cant help but help people out
maybe if you decide to take this child you could say to mum its only for x weeks at £10 per day then i will have to charge you fully
hope you get it sorted
if she says no then i would advertise the space as you are losing £££££'s

No dont do it you'll regret it especially if she then starts paying late or turns up late. Its so much harder to bear. Its kind of happened to me and no one actually thanks you for it as they have very short memories of the fact you've done them a favour.

Message withdrawn

No I wouldn't do it for anything less than my normal fee either.
If I really believed her to be struggling I might say that I would include all main cooked meals, which is something I do normally charge extra for.

Thanx you lovely bunch!! much appreciated!

She called me earlier and said she wants to sit down and sort it all out, even if I can only give her advice on what to do next.

She has become a close friend, so it would be a shame to put our friendship in jeopardy.
It's something I've had personal experience with, the childminder I had for DS1 was a stranger, but we ended up really close friends, we even went on holiday together. However, the last childminder I had for DS2 was a disaster, and she was someone I knew, now we hardly even acknowledge each other- I'd hate for it to end up like that with my friend (I'd lose a drinking buddy!!!)

Just thought I'd update you as it's hopefully had a happy outcome!!

I had my friend's LO yeasterday as an emergency. Apparently he came home a different boy to usual- He was so happy he was buzzing, and telling them about all the fun things we'd done!!! So, as of the beginning of march (she gets a pay rise) I'll be having him every monday-YAY!