Help again!

[LaurenD]

Hi everyone! I have recently met with a mum who wants me to start minding her gorgeous baby once I am registered (hopefully middle of June) - starting slowly to settle her in and then building up to one full day a week and maybe a couple of extra hours here and there. Was just wondering if anyone charges fot the 'settling in' slots - we have agreed that the first couple mum will stay and then after that we will do a couple where mum goes for an hour or two - should I just charge for the times mum leaves her? Don't want to be tight just want to be fair!!!
Many thanks
Lauren

I don't charge for settling in

a recent settling in plan went as follows:
Wednesday 15th April 2 10.30 to 12.30
Friday 17th April 2 1.00 to 3.00

Monday 20th April 2 9:00 to 11:00
Wednesday 22nd April 2 10:30 to 12:30
Friday 24th April 3 9:00 to 12:00

Monday 27th April 4 9:00 to 1:00
Wednesday 29th April 4 10:30 to 2:30
Friday 1st May 5 9:00 to 2:00

Monday 4th May Bank Holiday
Tuesday 5th May 6 10:00 to 4:00
Friday 6th May 6 8:00 to 2:00

Monday 11th May 5 8:00 to 1:00
Tuesday 12th May 8 8:00 to 4:00
Friday 15th May 8 8:00 to 4:00

Monday 18th May 5 8:00 to 1:00
Tuesday 19th May 10 8:00 to 6:00
Friday 22nd May 9 8:00 to 5:00

But I am odd

(OFSTED said my settling in was enlightened )

It all depends upon the child

Goodness that's a long one!

My last one phoned on the friday, met on saturday, started on monday.

I didn't like it, so I've decided that if a parent phones, first thing I do is send a welcome pack. If they like the look of it, then we meet up and decide from there what settling the children will need.

And no, I don't charge for this.

Enlightened! Wow! What's your secret?

no dont charge for settling in... parent vary so much, some like lots of sessions and otherd just 2 or 3. depends on the child..mind you Katy, might charge for all those.. you are good..

Nah I'm not

Who wants to look after a screaming child

& I don't offer until I have the first months money as a deposit

If a parent stays with their child for a general "let's all get to know each other" meeting, I don't charge.

If a child stays with me and I am caring for that child, I charge for that time at my normal hourly rate.

I do not insist on having settling-in periods as such, I accommodate whatever parents feel that they want or need.

I don't charge when the parent is there, but I do charge when I just have the child.

Thanks all (KatyMac your settling in process looks incredible!) - think I am going to wait til we have had a couple of sessions with mum before deciding how to play it!
Thanks for all your advice
x

I don't charge when mum is here but I def charge for sessions without mum...unless family are paying a retainer and then they can use the hours they are paying for retainer as settling sessions.

I know another cm who doesn't charge for settling and her new parents often take the P* big time with the amount of settling sessions they feel they need.....(most recent starter decided he needed 1/2 days for 4 weeks to settle in!!) whereas when they are paying they are a little more realistic about what the child actually needs!

I offer 2 FREE settling in sessions of 2 hours each and any extra they want, they pay for. If parent stays then no, I don't charge.