Do you charge for settling in sessions?

[amyp]

Do you charge for settling in sessions?

Thanks

[smurfette]

No I give up to five hours free , I think it helps soften the blow of the deposit! If parents want more or Lo needs more I charge my usual hourly rate

[tulip0803]

I normally do 2-3 2 hour sessions for free (at a time convenient to me) like Murphf any more than that is charged at my hourly rate. I only do them after all paperwork and financial stuff has been completed.

[Koala]

I do 2 or 3 sessions for 2 or 3 hours free of charge. :thumbsup:

[tas]

I use to give 2 hours free, then wondered why!

I now charge for all settling in and the parents can have as many hours as they want :)

[HTSMumma]

I do similar too.
However, I have a family currently paying me a retainer for a baby starting middle of next month full time (so you can imagine the retainer is quite a lot). As a result, I've been offering free settling in sessions for baby since March. She was coming for a couple of hours fortnightly, but she's now coming for a couple of hours weekly until her start date. I'm starting to get the impression that she's getting to know who I am and is getting more comfortable with me. By the time she starts, she will have had about 25 hours worth of settling in sessions.
The PACEY contracts state that if you have a child during the retainer period, full cost is payable, but I personally feel that this is not justifiable in our case.

[Natalierose]

I do similar too. However, I have a family currently paying me a retainer for a baby starting middle of next month full time (so you can imagine the retainer is quite a lot). As a result, I've been offering free settling in sessions for baby since March. She was coming for a couple of hours fortnightly, but she's now coming for a couple of hours weekly until her start date. I'm starting to get the impression that she's getting to know who I am and is getting more comfortable with me. By the time she starts, she will have had about 25 hours worth of settling in sessions. The PACEY contracts state that if you have a child during the retainer period, full cost is payable, but I personally feel that this is not justifiable in our case. I did exactly the same. Lots of visits as parents were paying retainer. It really paid off as the young baby was settled and happy come their first full day with me

[bunyip]

I offer a couple of unaccompanied 2 hour sessions free once the contract is signed and deposit paid.
If parents want more sessions, they can pay for them.



I also offer short, accompanied (mum stays) sessions if they seem useful or mum is particularly nervous.
These are before the accompanied sessions and are also free - but they absolutely must bring cake. :D

[watford wizz]

I agree settling in on contract and all hours used are paid for. I'd never in 24 years thought of doing settling in for free.