Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.
Childcare
Can I charge a fee to collect/ drop off at pre school? How much?
bignbouncy · 13/06/2007 17:10
One of my mindees is starting pre school in September. The start time clashes with my dd 's school and It's not within walking distance of my house so I'd have to drive. Would it be reasonable to charge a daily drop/off collection fee to cover petrol. If so how much ? To be honest I would much prefer not to get in my car everyday would it be really out of order to refuse to take him to that pre school ?
ayla99 · 13/06/2007 17:20
I would decline if it clashed with a school collection/drop off I'm already although this would probably mean they might find another childminder rather than change preschool. Because I'd always be late collecting their child. Our preschool charges late collection fees like the nurseries so would parent be prepared to pay this if necessary and do they really want their child to be sat alone & last to go each time?
If it didn't clash with existing arrangements I would agree & charge 40p per mile for return journey plus childminding fees for duration of journey.
ayla99 · 13/06/2007 17:21
check with your own insurer but mine told me you DO NOT have to be insured for "hire & reward" because we do not advertise to general public - the only people we transport are the children contracted to be in our care at the time of the journey. This is quite different from the services provided by taxis, I'm told.
ayla99 · 13/06/2007 17:26
twiglett - I don't agree. Childminding fees are for the care of the child in the childminder's home. If a parent later chooses to enrole their child in a club, activity or preschool this is an additional service - so the Childminder can negotiate additional fees or decline because carrying out the request increases the childminders costs in providing a service for that day. And can make other parents cross because their child has been ferried about instead of taking part in the activities you'd normally provide for them.
Twiglett · 13/06/2007 17:27
but on the flip side you are being paid for 2.5 hours when you don't have him
but if you want to charge do.. that's the benefit of being self-employed, you set your own terms and if they don't like it they can lump it. I just think its a little OTT personally and I wouldn't expect it
IdrisTheDragon · 14/06/2007 10:50
I've never thought of DS and DDs childminders charging us for petrol when they take and pick him up from pre-school. But it is only one day a week, and as there are two of them, one can go and get him and the other stay at home with the others.
Also, not as far as your journey would be.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.