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Original poster

holiday clubs

14 replies

dmo · 21/07/2009 20:35

is there a rule about that if you set up a group it should make a profit and not put others out of business?

2 holiday clubs have set up about 10 mins walk eirther way from me they charge £12 per day 7.30am till 6pm

i have done the maths and they wont make a penny they said (cause i rang up to ask) that it is a non profit organisation.

i charge £20 for the day and we go out everyday but i just cant match that.

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HSMM · 21/07/2009 20:43

You just have to hope you are offering that little bit extra that parents want. You could try speaking to your local authority about it. Unfortunately money is tight for many people at the moment and they will go for the cheapest option. I am a CM and I hardly ever get new holiday business, because the holiday clubs are so cheap (but I am better ).

southeastastra · 21/07/2009 20:44

what sort of companies are they?

Original poster
dmo · 21/07/2009 20:46

dont know i rang surestart and they are going to pop over to see

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amidaiwish · 21/07/2009 20:46

as a cm you are offering something quite different to holiday clubs. far better for little ones. don't try and cut your costs to compete. your ratios, food, care etc. justify the cost.

nannynick · 21/07/2009 21:30

I doubt there is much that can be done. If the holiday clubs have some kind of informal agreement between themselves to charge the same amount, then maybe have a word with Trading Standards to see if they can offer any advice. Not sure it's really their area, but they may know if such an agreement would breach Chapter 1, Competition Act 1998. If it does breach that, OFT may be interested... though fine level may be quite low.
Found a case that may be worth a read, it is with regard to a number of independent schools doing a Survey as to what they would be charging in the future. OFT: Decision - Exchange of information on future fees.

Probably best to concentrate on the positives that children would get from being in your care - higher adult:child ratio thus more personal attention, quality of care.

amidaiwish · 22/07/2009 08:26

as a mum i look at cm and holiday clubs as very different things.
holiday clubs = lots of activities, but little actual care/kids fend for themselves. Fine for older ones or very self sufficient ones. OK for a few days but not weeks on end.

CM = home based care with activities to keep entertained.

Original poster
dmo · 22/07/2009 08:35

thanks Amidaiwish
it prob it more the older ones i mean as 90% of my under 5's are term time only so normally have my before and after school children in the holidays but times are hard and i know where the parents are coming from

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PaulaAtMummyKnowsBest · 22/07/2009 10:58

i have left my 10 year old in a club for a few days here and there but wouldn't consider tham for my 5 yr old.

You are offering a home from home particularly for the little ones and you don't need to drop your price to compete as the service you offer is different.

Original poster
dmo · 22/07/2009 15:49

dont mean to be evil but..............................

had a parent phone me today while we were on our teddys bear picnic and the holiday club rang her this morning at 6.30am and said they wouldnt be opening for the rest of the summer due to lack of children so could i have the child.

the same club did this at easter (they were charging the same as me then) and the child they had came to me that week

cant believe they would give so little notice to parents

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nannynick · 22/07/2009 19:20

They charge £12 a day, yet they now won't be open due to lack of children? Maybe parents thought they were just too cheap to be true.

amidaiwish · 22/07/2009 19:22

exactly. £12 a day wouldn't exactly fill you with confidence. parents aren't just looking for cheap. value for money yes, but cheap, no.

Original poster
dmo · 22/07/2009 20:51

well parent who phoned today phoned back and said she has found a club for her dd for £50 per week so she is going there

i am not to sure as its a sports club and her dd is only 4, prob get a phone call agaqin in a couple of weeks

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danthe4th · 22/07/2009 21:02

Most of the holiday clubs can't take under 5's this year because of the eyfs and it's too much hassle for them. My 7 year old goes to the local leisure centre a few times over the holidays to do a huge range of different activities,mostly sporting and i'm paying £16 per day and there is no way I would charge so little but i'm happy and so is he.

RachieB · 23/07/2009 00:28

£12 a day !!
wow that's so cheap

I pay £20 a day for my son to go to holiday club (8.30am - 5.30pm ) or CMer ( 8am - 6pm)

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