Ratios question

[SillyMillysMummy]

I currently struggle to get any enquiries, let alone decent ones I have contracts currently for 1dc aged 1 all day monday, and 1 dc age 2 all day wednesday. I have been approached about care for 2dc aged 1 and 2 for 5 mornings 8.30-1 whilst mum sleeps after nightshift.

Actually as i am typing this it doesnt sound great already, thinking about it I wouldnt be able to take any nursery collections

Help me thinking about best scenarios

I should say that I have 1dd who goes into ft edu in sept, i realise i dont have enough soaces, wondered what ofsted would think etc

right, another thought lol (can you tell i am desperate) i know that her childcare costs are paid for by working tax credit, she basically needs only 4 1/2 hours cover for both children for 3 days a week, but wont know what those days are until 1 month in advance. Those 4 1/2 hours would mean that i am unlikely to get any other children on those days. So basically I need to charge a minimum of 7 hours per child (which would compensate a full day)regardless of whether she uses the service or not. does that make sense? Also because tax credits pay the majority of it, how would they feel about paying for a service that wasnt fully used? ahhhhhh this is too hard

Tax credits won't care

Up to you if you have a minimum charge

But 9x5 = 1 F/T space (but you don't have enough space for them)

Katymac what would you do I realise i cant go over my number btw x

Tricky huh

I hate decisions like this - what ever you do you are wrong

lol, thanks katymac

i spose i am only paticularly considering this because there is 2 dc, alot of income iykwim

i dont think they will be the kind of family to pay particular attention to paperwork and contracts either

Can you offer her the 3 days you have got (as a permanent thing) & see if she takes it?

hmm, not sure, will have to try discuss again, people only want to pay for what they use, which is fair enough but if it cannot fit in

You could try ringing Ofsted and sounding them out about a variation, but have never known them give one for 5 under 5's- 4 they will consider, BUT you could explain your own dd is in full time school from Sept and see what they say. Shy bairns get nowt .
I would try and get more info from the enquiring parent about what exactly she wants - after all, a nursery wouldn't agree a contract on the info she has given you so far, she would have to pay for set sessions each week.

Agree with KatyMac - offer her the 3 days you have and see what she says. Is it possible to juggle your other mindees if they are only 1 day each . I've done that in the past and parents have been fine -maybe have them both other mindees on the same day, which would free up 4 days a week.

I've also done 'shared care' with another cm who couldn't cover all of the days/hours needed - we had separate contracts, and I have to say different fees which parent wasn't happy about . Guess who had the higher fee and got the grief .

Your other option - preparing to get flamed - is to work out what is best for your business and maybe 'let go' of one or both of other mindees . [Pours on the petrol and lights with a match] Personally, I couldn't do this but I do know some cms who have done it - even after caring for dc for a couple of years - because a 'better offer' came along. OUCH, those flames hurt like hell...........