Children going to Pre School, do you charge full fee?

[MUM2BLESS]

I am a childminder. I am minding a little one who may be going to Pre school this year. What do most childminders charge parnets if they are expected to take the child and collect also? Full fee? How does the parents react to this? or half fee?

Just wanted some advice so I can plan ahead.

Thanks!!!

I charge full fee, because they take up a full time space, they use the space in the holidays and I have them if pre school is closed for any reason. Parents have always been happy with this. I make it clear that they pay for my availability, not the hours they use.

When I used a childminder and my DS went to pre-school (and then school but just mornings) I always paid full fee and was fine with that.

I pay half fee for ds's nursery hours, but there is a slightly higher hourly rate in term time anyway.

Exactly the same as HSMM

Hi thanks everyone for that. I will let the parents know in advance, that I will be charging full fee. Yes the child is taking up a full time, that cannot be taken by another child.

Is it the same for nursery attendance? (free nusery that is).

Hi Mum2bless

I have this in my policies

UNDER 5?S IN OTHER SETTINGS

A child is counted as an under 5 by Ofsted until they are in full time education i.e. at school for 10 sessions a week.

A child who is at pre school is a under 5 and if they are with a childminder before and after pre school, and require a fulltime space during the holidays they therefore are taking a childminders full time space. As such you are required to pay retainer fee for the time that they are at preschool, as the childminder cannot then fill the part time that they are at pre school.

Actually I need to change it to full fee not retainer.

My childminder charged full fee and I was happy with that. She brought/collected DS1 to pre-school and was available to collect him if anything happened. Meant I could get on with my day's work without worry.

I agree with Looney tune and in fact have a clause in my contracts which states Contracted hours/days are not interchangeable with non-contracted hours/days. Any additional hours required will be subject to prior agreement, if available and will be chargeable. You could find this request from trhe Mum starts to become something of a habit so it is best to set out your position as soon as possible.

what if you only pick up from preschool(and not drop offs) and have the child full time in the hols?

How do you charge for that?

Same as I put above. I am available all day for that child, including for pre school closure, so I am paid all day.

Thanks. I am updating my policies and will include under 5's in other settings. Brilliant idea!!!