do you charge when kids are at school?

[JudyW11]

Hi Girls, just wondering what other childminders are doing regarding setting fees for school age children...I have 2 boys before and after school (works out at about 6 hours in total per day between the two) I have heard that some childminders charge an entire day's fee for this and wondered if this is the norm?! I have set my fee for the hours that the boys are actually here and not for the hours when they are school....what do you guys do? Thank you.

[SYLVIA]

I charge a slightly higher fee for the before and after school hours and holidays, but no charge during school hours

[Bridey]

I have not heard of any childminder who charges for during school hours!

I'd be LOADED if we did - I have 15 before/afterschoolers

[babs]

i dont charge while they are at school but do charge for pre schoolers only doing 3 hours at nursery and with me rest of day.. in fact works out i dont charge as i do discounted full week

[The Juggler]

i don't see how ANYone can charge for the school hours - for what - they are not holding up a place - you can only have 3 under 5's and you can still do this whilst the children are at school.

To me, this is little more than a rip off though this is not the first time I have heard of/come across threads where parents have been charged for this by their CM

THe only time it might apply is for a 4 year old in full-time nursery at a school/private school as this does not count as a rising 5 but other than that - do what you are doing and I'd challenge those other cm's on what they are charging for

[Toothfairy]

If they are at full time school then I just charge for before and after school with a minimum of 2hrs per day.
If they are in Playschool then I do charge while they are there as It's very hard to find someone who just wants those couple of hours. I also need to keep the space open for them incase the playgroup has to close at short notice for some reason.

[sammykins]

I was wondering the same as I have a full timer going to school, I didn't want to Charge for all the hours they are at school, but was thinking of charging a retainer during those hours as she would still need me in school hols, I've had this little one since he was 5 months old and now my wages will be halved.

It would be fine if I had another 9-3pm term time child, to cover the place he wont be using, but not likely to fill the place with them hours.

Hmmmmmm what to do......

[The Juggler]

I was wondering the same as I have a full timer going to school, I didn't want to Charge for all the hours they are at school, but was thinking of charging a retainer during those hours as she would still need me in school hols, I've had this little one since he was 5 months old and now my wages will be halved.

It would be fine if I had another 9-3pm term time child, to cover the place he wont be using, but not likely to fill the place with them hours.

Hmmmmmm what to do......

well you will probably fill his space with another under 5 hon, who will hopefully also come in the holidays or not, there is no reason you can't also have your LO as a rising 5 as long as you are not already up to full numbers for your 6 children under 8 years.

[RachelE]

My sisters childminder charges whilst they are at school

She didnt know and had a shock when the 1st bill came - and then had to change her working hours!

- some of the parents pay it too!!

Hmm, I have 4 at school all day!!

Rachel x

[sammykins]

Thanks for your reply, it's more the numbers as I only have 3 places, which are taken at the mo, and space is limited in the car. Couldn't have new one for school hours if they also wanted hols , as still like to take them out x

[Suebb1]

No I don't charge when at school. Have slightly higher charge for hours before and after. x

[The Juggler]

Thanks for your reply, it's more the numbers as I only have 3 places, which are taken at the mo, and space is limited in the car. Couldn't have new one for school hours if they also wanted hols , as still like to take them out x

you only have 3 under 8 spaces in total? so if I understand you right, this child will go to school and you will have the choice of EITHER taking on a new child under 5 full time OR keeping this child as an after schoolie?

It would be a no-brainer for me hon, I'd be taking on another full timer. As for the holidays, I often have to do lots of walks, buses, trains as I can't take the car most days of the holidays as I have a small car and too many kids.

I think it's awful that minders are charging school age children for a full day whilst they are at school - can't believe parents will pay it

[miffy]

I think it's awful that minders are charging school age children for a full day whilst they are at school - can't believe parents will pay it

Parents round here certainly wouldn't pay it.

Miffy xx

[sammykins]

you only have 3 under 8 spaces in total? so if I understand you right, this child will go to school and you will have the choice of EITHER taking on a new child under 5 full time OR keeping this child as an after schoolie?

It would be a no-brainer for me hon, I'd be taking on another full timer. As for the holidays, I often have to do lots of walks, buses, trains as I can't take the car most days of the holidays as I have a small car and too many kids.

I think it's awful that minders are charging school age children for a full day whilst they are at school - can't believe parents will pay it

Yes that's right, I have 3 boys myself, so in a 7 seater, unless I tie them to them roof rack, I can only have 3 cminded ones. I would love to have a full timer instead of b4 and after school, but I would have him in hols too, so. Suppose at least I have him all year round. That's why I was wondering if anyone charges a retainer for the school hours to keep their place for holidays, I wasn't going too, but just wondered what others do in that situation,

[Pipsqueak]

Yes that's right, I have 3 boys myself, so in a 7 seater, unless I tie them to them roof rack, I can only have 3 cminded ones. I would love to have a full timer instead of b4 and after school, but I would have him in hols too, so. Suppose at least I have him all year round. That's why I was wondering if anyone charges a retainer for the school hours to keep their place for holidays, I wasn't going too, but just wondered what others do in that situation,

I have 3 children and a 7 seater. If I am up to my ratios then we walk, bus, or go by train. I have taken 12 children to newcastle on the train - there and back safely.

Are all 3 of your children in your EY age group then?

I'm not really following - sorry

[samb]

There is a cm my way who charges half fee for school age children while they are at school as she will only take a max of 3 in total on cos of car space. If the children are with her before they start school I can understand them wanting to keep them with her but not sure if she would get new work this way? I find it difficult enough to charge when they are at pre school!

[sammykins]

I have 3 children and a 7 seater. If I am up to my ratios then we walk, bus, or go by train. I have taken 12 children to newcastle on the train - there and back safely.

Are all 3 of your children in your EY age group then?

I'm not really following - sorry

No my boys are 5, 6 and 11, and the ones I mind are ey. I wouldn't want to take on more than 6 at one time, as I like to know I can fit them in a car in case of an emergency, taking them to clubs, parks where you can't get transport too, our whole day would be taken up by travelling, I have enough with the amount of times I'm in and out of the car, not to mention the time limits of getting to one place to another. Just want to keep within my numbers and make the most of my spaces.

[sandra6756]

i only charge while there at pre school if i have them before and afterr ,i dont charge for school age children that are at school all day