Childminders Club: When a child goes to nursery....

[KatieMac]

The do you charge less while you haven't got them?
NCMA say charge full...but parents aren't keen

Do you think half while they are at nursery or is that too much - it's complicated by the drop off and collection.....

I said that i would charge full fees if it was my responsibilty to collect them afterwards and if parents wanted me to be the one the nursey called if there was a problem. Otherwise the trouble is that unless they are there all day you end up with a 2-3 hour slot in the middle of your day where you are not being paid and you wont be able to take on anyone else for that shoet period. It depends really on your numbers and whether being that flexible would result in you losing money.

It would that's why I'm stuck - for 2.5 to 4 hrs I have no income and no possibility of replacing the income....

You could always try showing them the section in the ncma books that recommend that you charge full price. The parents of the child concerned in my case worked it so that I was either responsible for picking him up or dropping him off but not both. In that way they didnt have to pay me and I could take on another child for that time if i wanted. Dont be bullied into giving in to their demands if you are not happy - you do a difficult and very worthwhile professional job and you deserve to be paid a decent wage. Are these new parents or current ones of a child you already look after? I have made a small brochure detailing all my information such as fees, sickness etc etc. I give this to parents when they enquire so that they already know what to expect before we get to the contract stage. Dont mind emailing a copy if you dont already do something similar and would like some ideas.

This is my policy on taking children to preschool/clubs etc:

Preschool Care
Childminders are registered to care for a specified maximum number of children under eight years old. They are not permitted to exceed this number under any circumstances.

If you require me to take your child to preschool and to collect at the end of the session:

Full childminding fees are due while the child is at preschool. Your place will be available during school holidays/closures. I will be available to collect your child from preschool in an emergency. I cannot use your place for another child while your child is at preschool.

If you are taking your child to preschool, AND will be available in case of emergency during the preschool session AND do not require care until the end of the preschool session:

Fees will be charged from 12 noon (or the time preschool session ends). During school holidays/closure days your place will not be available before 12 noon. I will not able to take your child to preschool nor will I be able to collect your child early from preschool ? you will need to ensure you have an emergency contact should the need arise. I can use your place for another child until 12 noon.

Some childminders will charge from the time they need to leave their home to collect your child (rather than the time the session ends) because they cannot care for another child during this time

Yeah , I do that. I charge an extra 15 mins for travel time.

Great policy ayla99 - can I pinch it for my brochure?

ayla99 that is brill policy

I might borrow it too

Thanks everyone.

Feel free to use it