Should I offer more money?

[cupofteaplease]

was speaking to my lovely child minder earlier on the phone, and she mentioned that she needed to tell me something, which I may have already heard elsewhere. She said all the other local CMs are raising their fees but she isn't, as she hasn't been working for a year yet.

I'm not sure what I should have said to this? I didn't really say a lot, except, 'oh thanks' or something

Should I offer for her to raise her fees if she feels she is undercharging? She is very good value, but as a student my money is not bottomless- I'm worried I'll look selfish if I don't offer...

WWYD?

I wouldn't normally ring my parents to tell them that - infact am building up courage to tell them am putting fees up . However, she's probably aware that you may be worried about the cost going up and is wanting to reassure you. In which case, buy her a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates and tell her how fab she is

She's self-employed, if she wants to raise her fees then she needs to tell you. But I would take this as warning that she plans to raise once she's been going a year!

Ok thanks- so I don't need to start flinging £50 notes around or anything just yet then!!

do you sign contracts with cms saying/agreeing that they will raise their fees once a year etc?

cm contracts are usually reviewed once a year anyway, but we can give notice to increase fees any time. Some I know review their fees every 6mths. Personally, have only put my fees up once in 4 years, though am about to do so again.

btw, 'reviewing' fees doesn't always mean increasing them