what can i do about my contract?

[thinkingagain]

Hi all, I dont know how to explain this but a parent is on days this week, but next week will be on nights, so how should i do my contract with her, as it will be like that all the time, one week days and one week nights.

Thank you

If it were me I would have a retainerfor the week of nights, or a minimum hours per week contract as the chances of getting someone with the exact opposite shift pattern would be remote.

Assuming you need to charge for the week on nights that is.

So your only having the child(ren) alternate weeks?

money the first plan was alternate weeks, but i would rather the baby stay in my care as she has only just got used to me, so to send her to somebody else would be confusing and upsetting for her, so i applied for overnight care, so i will have the baby, one week days the next week nights, week after days, week after nights and so on.

I personally would do a contract for the 'days' and then charge my overnight care rate for the 'nights' (although would probably reduce the rate if for a whole week).

looneytune i don't know what the suitable fees of night care is,in west london

I'm in Reading, Berkshire and charge £70 per night for overnight care, reducing it to £50 per night for those staying regularly and in a good routine.

I've changed my mind about the bit where I said I'd charge less if staying all week. I'd either

1. Charge a retainer for the weeks they don't come days, then reduce my overnight fee slightly

OR

2. Charge my higher overnight care rate per day, then it wouldn't bother me so much that I'm not getting the income during the days every other week.

Having said all that, I 'personally' wouldn't take this one on anyway as I have to put my ds2 in a travel cot in our bedroom when I have overnight stays and having done a few 3 nighters, I have learnt that it does affect the evenings and I just wouldn't be willing to do that for a whole week every other week. But that's only because of my bedroom set up.

I have an overnight care policy on my website, let me know if you would like a look and I'll give you my address

oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh yes that will be great, thank you

No probs, my website is here. There is a page all about Overnight Care which includes my prices etc.

Email me if you have any questions

sorry to be nosey - looneytune your website is fantastic

Thanks I've just finished uploading photos to my new section for parents (parents photo gallery - secure with login details). I'm dead pleased with it and sure parents will be!!

Hi Looney - how are you. SOrry for hijack, can't beleive thta both boys will be 2 next month.

I see, a higher rate for overnights than days, contract states fees for both. Has 'overnight care' increased your insurance?

thanks looneytune for showing me your website its amazing, u must have spent hours and hours on it?

FiveGoMadInDorset - hello , I can't believe they are nearly 2 either, where does the time go?!!! How's life? (send me an email if you want - it's on my website)

thinkingagain - no problem, hope it was useful. I didn't actually build this website myself, I did my previous one and then a mindee's mum mentioned their company building me a new one for free and I jumped at it . But yes, lots of work into the content of it but so worth it, especially the photo gallery which I get a lot of comments about Good luck with your contract.

yes it was very useful, and ur photos are great, thanks again

Good and thanks

completely nosey, Im not even a cm anymore! But had a look at your website, Looneytune, and it just looks lovely, it really looks like you love your job and the kids have a great time, your parents are really lucky to have such a lovely cm!!

Oh thankyou I do love the 'caring' part of the job, just don't like the paperwork these days. Shame as I still do what I always did but now I have to find time to write it all up and make formal plans on paper and this is what I'm not very good at (you may have seen a thread of mine recently). But yes, I love my 'extended family'. Just got back from the village fete which I went to with one mindee and parent and saw 2 of my other mindees down there too and all the kids were giddy to see each other. Then when we walked back and were at my house, mindee had a tantrum as wanted to come in and play, even though they're here Mon-Fri lol. If I could burn all the paperwork, it would be the best job in the world!!!

I know what you mean, I felt the same about the paperwork, it does take up a lot of spare time, it wouldnt be so bad if you got paid for all the extra hours!
Hang on to the fact that you love the job and that the mindees and parents love you, that is so totally what is most important in your job, not the blardy paperwork!