Snack Charges

[Kittycat]

On top of parents paying fees,
do you add on a snack fee too??
I was thinking of charging 50p per snack
do you think i am being reasonable asking parents to pay this?

[eddie]

My fees include all meals and snacks except for a cooked tea at the end of the day which I would only do in exceptional circumstances. It's easier for me this way or I would have to start counting up who had snack, who had breakfast etc.

[mum24]

I charge for lunch and tea, but not for drinks and snacks during the day.
I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure that we shouldn't charge for these? Not sure why I feel so certain, I must have read it somewhere.

[hectors house]

I charge for lunch and tea but state on my contract that my fees include all drinks and snacks - several days a week we are at toddlers anyway at snack time (I don't charge for toddlers either - my choice to go). I just put the snacks through my expenses.

[jo.jo76]

I don't charge for snack and drinks either and also am often at playgroup which provide snack anyway but I do charge for lunch or dinner. I was hoping charging would put them off as I hate cooking but it didn't work!!!

[blue bear]

There are some nurseries around here that charge for snacks but I have not heard of any childminders doing it, I think the nurseries do it as a way of boosting up the government funding as it is not always as much as their normal hourly rate and means the nurseries can't afford to provide the snacks free.

I think it depends by what you mean by snacks, if you mean after school you give them, toast, fruit, cakes, yogurt etc,this amount of food is more like a light tea and I think you would be justified in charging but if you are just giving a piece of fruit or a couple of slices of toast then no I wouldn't.

[LauraS]

I don't, I include it all in the hourly rate. What would you do if a parent didn't want to pay? What if they decided to provide their own instead, and the LO turned up with a three pack of Kinder Bueno, a bag of Haribo and a packet of Prawn Cocktail Walkers (yes, really ). How easy would it be with children all eating different things? What if the child contracts food poisoning? I know these are 'what if's' but there's so much else to think about that frankly, life is too short. I also think that 'hidden charges' sometimes seem a bit crafty.

At least having included meals and snacks I know where everything has come from, that it has been prepared and stored correctly, that the children are all eating similar foods and are eating healthily.

[k1rstie]

[QUOTE=LauraS;1185925]I also think that 'hidden charges' sometimes seem a bit crafty.


QUOTE]

My fee is at the higher end of some of the local childminders -
but I do not charge for meals, snacks, milage, outings, entertainment fee!, or paperwork time. etc.

I like my service to be transparent, and parents can see what they are going to be charged, with no extra's added.

I am embarrased to add, I do charge in arrears. I have never been paid for the work I have not done! BUT touch wood I have never had a problem with payments

[Rubybubbles]

I include breakfast snacks and high tea in my fee

Tbh I would rather ask parents to provide food than charge (hence why mine bring packed lunch) most nurseries I know(preschool) kids take their snack

[Kittycat]

There are some nurseries around here that charge for snacks but I have not heard of any childminders doing it, I think the nurseries do it as a way of boosting up the government funding as it is not always as much as their normal hourly rate and means the nurseries can't afford to provide the snacks free.

I think it depends by what you mean by snacks, if you mean after school you give them, toast, fruit, cakes, yogurt etc,this amount of food is more like a light tea and I think you would be justified in charging but if you are just giving a piece of fruit or a couple of slices of toast then no I wouldn't.

I normally give for snack, Pancakes, toast & cheese, bagels, popcorn etc
always with fruit such as grapes, bananas, apples
a drink of Juice, Milk or water
I charge £4 ph

[Tatjana]

I do not add any charges for anything, fees payable in advance and that's it......I hate the accounts side as it is, couldn't make life even harder for myself!!

[Chimps Childminding]

I don't provide meals, mindees bring a packed lunch and if they are here for tea (only 1 family) parents send something for me to cook/warm.

All breakfasts, snacks, drinks are included in my hourly fee!!

[sineadquinn]

When I start..... Lunch and morning/afternoon snack included will charge £1 for a fresh cooked dinner I charge £4 an hour.

[TAZ]

I do not charge extra for snacks & drinks, all included in my hourly rate. Less complicated that way.