Childminders- have you put your prices up?

[CatGrins]

I haven't put my prices up since September 2020 and I've been trying really hard not to as I know the cost of living is hitting everyone hard. However it's got to the point that I'm not longer earning enough to cover my own bills. In that time I've also provided more for the daily fee so my profit margin is smaller than ever.

My original plan was just to put up the price of new starters but now thinking it should be everyone. What do you think?

I review my prices each September. If you are doing a rise for everyone, give them plenty of notice (particularly with Christmas coming up). You can definitely raise prices for new starters now, if that is still in line with charges in your area.

As an alternative you could look at other alternatives like getting parents to send a packed lunch instead of providing food, or whatever else you offer.

Your business needs to be sustainable, so work out how much you need.

Most cm I know do put their prices up every year

when Jan April or sept

I would give notice you will be from Jan 2023

are you in line with other cm

It's hard to know, I'm currently £60/day in the south east, I don't think it is far off the childminders I know, they are roughly £65/day but I'm a little further out in another village. I am full with a waiting list though so there's clearly the demand. Nursery are anywhere between £70-£90/ day.

I’d put it up to match the others. If the demand is there, they’ll pay.

My daughter has been at nursery since March 2021 and we have had two price increases. Totally £3/4 pounds. Our fee is now £67 a day in Warwickshire. I expect it to go up again in April or before.
Depending what you are covering e.g wipes, nappies, suncream, lunch, afternoon tea and activities you should definitely put it up a bit or ask parents to provide it themselves.

I put my prices up for everyone this year but some of them had been with me since 2018 and I just couldn't hold the rate any longer.

I was also being told quite a lot that I was cheap. Good for them not so much for me.

I raised everyone on my books by 10% but new starters will be on more like 20% which brings me inline with my area.

I've also had to rethink menus etc and now just tend to rotate the same meals everyone likes - I can't afford the food waste anymore trying to be experimental on a bunch of fussy kids who just want macaroni cheese everyday!

If you are full with waiting list then increase

assume you are £6ph 8/6 £60

send an email to all stating new prices start in Jan 2023 and will increase yearly

I only offer full days so it's £60 regardless. I include everything in this as well, parents only provide spare clothes.

Food and nappies if need be included in price

def up prices

Thank you I will!

I would advise now of price increase to £65 from January 23. I would also consider getting new parents to pay for meals on top as food costs are getting silly. I used to provide breakfast & snacks but lunch was charged at £1 and evening meal £2.50. It didn't cover all m costs but made a difference and wasn't so much it put people off & very few provided their own food which of course could be an option.