CM Club - Shift Working

[RosieGirl]

I have been tying myself up in knots over the past few days.

I have always run at maximum capacity, I have had a variation from OFSTED for years due to siblings being born, under "continuation of care". This has proved useful especially as one of the children I care for is from a shift working family so I have been rather flexible for them over the years. Unfortunately 2 siblings have left (emigrated) leaving me with 2 mindees who are good and regular, and this shift workers mindee who has been using me for approx 20 hours a week, which hasn't been a problem.

BUT - on Monday she came to me with the next 10 weeks worth of hours. It has been cut down drastically, with hours all over the place, different times and days, for 2 weeks they don't want any childcare at all. This has put me in a difficult position as I really need to fill the 3rd space but can't while she is "floating". Also I haven't got anyone banging on the door at the moment to use as a bargaining tool, but as we know that could change overnight. I'm not willing to let her go as I have been with the family for over 4 years (older sibling) but really don't know what to do. The hours will change again after 10 weeks, which may leave me with more or less again. I know she won't/can't pay for a full time space, but I wondered if I could charge a percentage on the average weekly bill to allow for the "flexibility". Has anyone else had anything similar?

Thanks for keeping with me.

For shift workers, we agree the reserved times/days and when they will notify me of which days it will actually be. They pay full fees for the time booked and half fees for the remainder of the reserved time. Contract states minimum fee.

Some people just agree a set number of hours per week, say 20 hours. The parent then pays for 20 hours if they book 20 hours or less and if they book more than 20 hours there is an overtime rate for the extra hours.

At the very least, you need a minimum daily or weekly rate.

Maybe you can convince Ofsted to let you take on a 3rd regular mindee and have their child as your 4th child on a variation for continuity of care. It's worth asking.

You need to agree a minimum amount payable each week. At the very least it should be £100 as a starting figure whether they use the 20 hours or not.

Thank you for all your advice, I think I need to toughen up on the business side. Its just difficult when I have been so relaxed in the past.