May have pitched my self too cheap could I back peddle?

**button68** · 13-03-2008, 05:36 PM

OK I am going to sound like a right penny pinching so-and-so but had an enquiry for After School (independent arrival, age 12 I posted earlier in week)

Have never had after school so was unsure what to charge. Trying to get info on fees off other CM's around here is like trying to get blood out of a stone

I phoned the local after school club and they charge £5 3.30 -6pm

they are subsidised (sp?)

He will arrive about 3.45 and be collected by 5.30 - I decided on £7.50 (I don't know why) Spoke to mum today and she is coming around in the Easter break with E to got through paperwork and she said by the way how much? I said I've not done after school before but how about £7.50 per session to which she replied "That's Brilliant!!!" ....... fear I may have diddled myself

Was thinking would it look odd to say (when she comes around) if E would like a snack on arrival then there would be an additional cost of £1 - £1.50?? And what 'snack' would you give to a strapping (I've seen him

) 12 year old?? to justify this??

**crazybones** · 13-03-2008, 05:38 PM

I think £7.50 for less than an hour seems good. I would say I provide a piece of fruit free as a snack but if he will require more I charge ......?

**miffy** · 13-03-2008, 05:41 PM

I think that's the only way you could up the charges when she comes round

You could also say your fees will be going up in.................(whenever)

12 yo's often have a very healthy appetite so £1.00 to £1.50 for a snack isn't bad

Miffy xx

**Blaze** · 13-03-2008, 05:42 PM

Agree with the above!
Tasha

**sarah707** · 13-03-2008, 06:25 PM

I think £7.50 sounds ok tbh... I work on about £3 per hour including tea for my afterschoolers.

My lot all have up to 2 slices of toast with spread or jam when they get back

**Angela234** · 13-03-2008, 06:29 PM

I have a 11 year old afterschool always hungry i give 2 sandwiches or toast portion of fruit and a yogurt
I charge £3.00 an hour any new ones now gone up to £3.50 includes snack

Angela

**button68** · 13-03-2008, 06:32 PM

Sorry I should have said he arrives at 3.45pm now I look like a right turnip!

I'll go and edit my original post

**button68** · 13-03-2008, 06:37 PM

Right I have now read all your replies and it would appear that my £7.50 would be a spot on price if I include a snack and toast seems a great idea

It was just the way the mum sounded to delighted! Made me think

should have asked for more ..... naughty, greedy, Buttons

**sarah707** · 13-03-2008, 06:39 PM

As my little mindee would say... silly you! She's only just 4 and says it in a sing-song voice!

**crazybones** · 13-03-2008, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by button68

Right I have now read all your replies and it would appear that my £7.50 would be a spot on price if I include a snack and toast seems a great idea

It was just she way the mum sounded to delighted! Made me think

should have asked for more ..... naughty, greedy, Buttons

If it makes you feel any better, my after school kids are here for between 2 and 3 hours and I get £8. And I have to go and pick them up.

**button68** · 13-03-2008, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by annie337

If it makes you feel any better, my after school kids are here for between 2 and 3 hours and I get £8. And I have to go and pick them up.

I know and at 12 he'll probably just want to chill and occupy himself anyway

**Twinkles** · 13-03-2008, 07:00 PM

Sounds about right. Will you have him in the school holidays ?

**button68** · 13-03-2008, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Twinkles

Sounds about right. Will you have him in the school holidays ?

Nope! No school holidays and only 2 or maybe 3 times a week

I said to DH "£15 a week seems hardly worth the hassle" but he looked at it the other way "£15 or £60 a month for not alot 'cos you need to be in for our DS coming in from school anyway

"

Anyway if she thinks that £7.50 is cheap then it may encourage her to go for 3 days a week and using DH's logic thats £22.50 a week or £90 a month for not alot

**tomy12** · 13-03-2008, 07:32 PM

hi all

i charge My hourly rate of £3.50 for after schoolers this includes a snack when we get back from school.

claire

**disney** · 13-03-2008, 07:50 PM

sounds ok to me . i have after schoolers from 3pm - 5 pm and charge £ 6 that includes all snacks so yer i would do it

**avril** · 13-03-2008, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by tomy12

hi all

i charge My hourly rate of £3.50 for after schoolers this includes a snack when we get back from school.

claire

Me too!!

Avril x

**miss muffit** · 13-03-2008, 08:14 PM

Hi I think the before and afterschoolers make up a fair bit of money over the month, and to be honest they more or less look after themselves which is great, most of us charge £3.50 - £4.00 per hour which includes a snack of fruit, biscuit and a drink.
something else I do is I charge from 3.15 not 3.30 for collection time. would be intreasted to know if anyone else out there charges this?

**button68** · 13-03-2008, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by miss muffit

Hi I think the before and afterschoolers make up a fair bit of money over the month, and to be honest they more or less look after themselves which is great,

Yes, I can see that even having 2 or 3 after schoolers can really add to your monthly income I have pretty well decided to steer clear of that market for now so will only have the 1 - hence why it seems such a pittance

**miffy** · 13-03-2008, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by miss muffit

Hi I think the before and afterschoolers make up a fair bit of money over the month, and to be honest they more or less look after themselves which is great, most of us charge £3.50 - £4.00 per hour which includes a snack of fruit, biscuit and a drink.
something else I do is I charge from 3.15 not 3.30 for collection time. would be intreasted to know if anyone else out there charges this?

I have heard where minders charge from 3.15 or even 3pm to cover their journey time to school

Personally I don't but that's my choice

Miffy xx

**michellethegooner** · 13-03-2008, 08:58 PM

that sounds about right, I was charging £7.50 as well for my old afterschool mindee again for not doing very much giving her snack and she would go and play with my daughter they was 1 year age difference and they went same school so it was just like having dd's friend round to play...

Michelle