CHILDMINDING FEES

[Mercury]

How would you calculate your fees for a 7 week roster which would require me to look after the mindee for 2 days a week for four weeks, 1 day a week for two weeks and then no minding days for the seventh week. Days would vary weekly and I would need to be available Mon/Fri from approx 8 till 6.

I would charge for the whole week as in effect that is what the mindee is using, its not as if you can fill the other days that the minde dosnt need if mum is on a rolling rota.

But maybe offer that if you fill an odd day you will give her a refund?

It's a nightmare shift patten

You could loose loads of income with anything other than full-time payment

I used to quote full fees but parents were horrified at the prospect of paying for so many hours they weren't working/earning. I now have worked with a few families on shift arrangements - I charged full fees for booked days and half fees for the remainder of the week that's reserved for their child.

However, with my first "shift parents" when they came for interview I had the expectation of the child attending 3 or more days each week. in reality she usually attended 1 or 2 days a week. So now I also put in the contract a minimum weekly fee, eg the equivalent of 3 days at full fees and 2 days at half fee.

I agree that it is a nightmare shift pattern, but I wouldn't feel at all comfortable charging for a whole week. I think you have to make the decision that you either will or won't take on shift workers!

When I've had shift workers (nothing quite as impressive as this one, I have to say), I've just written down how many days per week are required, for however many weeks are in the shift pattern, if that makes sense, and only charge for that. Mine have only ever been a two or four week shift system, and are relatively fixed days within those weeks.

I guess, if I were doing this myself, I would only charge for the 2 days/week (for 4 weeks), the 1 day/week (for 2 weeks) and nothing for the 7th week!

If I had two relatively full-time mindees and only wanted a part-timer, or if I was new to childminding and needed the work, then this would be fine. I can imagine lots of minders would do it all very differently.