do you charge when mindees are at playgroup?

[tara4now]

i have had an enquiry for childcare. it would literally be dropping off and picking up from playgroup. do any other childminders charge for the time the mindees are at playgroup?

Yes I charge half-rate as I can't fill that place for that time. I think that's fairly standard.

i think it makes sense to charge, because like you say, i couldnt fill a space for the time the child is at playgroup. i have already told the mother i charge my hourly rate.

Are you going to be 'on call' for the playgroup if she's ill etc? If so, I guess you need to charge.

yes i will be.

i have mindees before and after nursery on morn, i charge full rate all day, always have, always will, i cant fill that space for what?..2 hours max and wouldnt charge 1/2 rate as id be undercutting myself!..suppose to get anew customer you could offer, but i wouldnt

well, ive told her i charge my hourly fee so its up to her now. i dont see the point of half fee, its just not worth it really. i agree with you sweetsnowflake. thanks for the comments.

welcome, fingers crossed for you

If it an al day contract then nothing changes when they start nursery. If it a new contract its up to you but you gotta make it worth your while. my under minimum is 4 hours anyway( sometimes its 5) so even if you have 8-9 and 12-1 as I charge two minumum for afterschool sessions it would either be 4hrs or 2+2 hours. so depending on how much you charge could be £10 or £14 for two hours, alot maybe but then and all day space could earn you double or treble that depending on your rates

I charge full rate as can't fill the space.

I have put it before but this is my written policy for parents

UNDER 5?S IN OTHER SETTINGS

A child is counted as an under 5 by Ofsted until they are in full time education i.e. at school for 10 sessions a week.

A child who is at pre school is a under 5 and if they are with a childminder before and after pre school, and require a fulltime space during the holidays they therefore are taking a childminders full time space. As such you are required to pay retainer fee for the time that they are at preschool, as the childminder cannot then fill the part time that they are at pre school.