CM CLUB - Settling In Sessions - how long each visit, do you charge etc etc???

[LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy]

Hi there

I can't believe I've been childminding 2 and half years and never done a settling in session!!! This is not because I haven't offered, they've just not taken me up on it! (of course I do the 4 week settling in where they can leave any time, I'm talking about shorter sessions before they actually start with me properly iyswim)

Well, I have a new baby starting with me in early Feb and I've told the mum that I can have mindee any time for 'get to know us' sessions most days of the week from mid Jan (basically when ds starts school). Mum is keen to do this as baby only been left with grandma before so she wants to see how it goes before she starts back at work in Feb. She only lives round the corner so I've told her she's welcome any time if she wants to check we're doing ok but that it would probably be nice for her to go and make the most of the freedom

Anyway, as I've never done this, I'm not sure what to offer. I've mentioned I can do free sessions but I'm not sure how long these should be and how often? What do you guys do???

(btw, this is the lady round the corner who I wasn't sure would still come once I told her I was now pregnant but it couldn't have worked out any better )

TIA

I'm a nanny as you know, but before starting my current job, I used to pop over to the family for an hour or so, every other week.

I'd say limit sessions to 2 hours (3 hours max), then it is long enough for you to do something, like going to park, for a country walk, toddler group etc. - but not too long, should baby cry most of the time.

Cheers Nick, times sound about right, anyone able to help with how many I offer for free?

I do it different every time! Some children seem to walz in happily from day one as if they've known me for years, others need a lot more time to get to know me & the other mindees before they are comfortable.

I give one free session of up to 2 hours - based on how this goes we then decide next step. If they cried/were upset throughout then I suggest doing more short sessions, if everything went well I'm happy to increase to half days before going on to full days. Apart from the one free 2-hour session, parents pay for any other time booked for the child. I don't charge for any appointments where the parent has not booked childcare but stays with the child. I don't like to do too many of those though because sometimes the children then expect their parent to stay & play all the time and get more upset when parent tries to leave.

only ever done one and that was only to help mum out as mindee came with her and fit straight in, but thought i would give her a break!

i do offer them, i offer 2-3(depending on child settling) each for 2 hours and dont charge anything.
I do themn when I can, i give them a time when im quietest and tell them to go enjoy themselves and call back at x time(2 hours from drop off)

I do
2hrs
3hrs
4hrs
5hrs

Usually over 2 weeks but will do up to 4 weeks (2 days a week)

All no pay (but they must have paid a full months deposit before any settling in happens)

If the parent wants to come too, so we can all get to know each other better, then I don't charge. I am more than happy for the child to stay alone with me for whatever amount of time the parents want (if they want to), but I charge my normal hourly rate.

Thanks all you lovely people, I'll have a little chat with her and see what she'd like