Am I too cheap?!

**FizzWizz** · 07-02-2011, 06:22 PM

I have only been minding since October and I look after my friend's little girl 3 days a week. She pays me what she would otherwise pay the nursery £33 so I am a bit new to making up my own prices!

My question is - I have just had an enquiry from a mum who sounds really keen but only needs a childminder for about one three hour session each week - I told her off the top of my head that I charge £4 per hour but that would only give me £12 for taking up a whole morning.

Does anyone else have any mindees requiring such a short time? Do you charge more per hour? (The local nursery charge £20 for a morning session)

Any advice appreciated...Thanks!

**DAWN44** · 07-02-2011, 07:59 PM

Hi,

I have a little mindee adhoc basis. Occasionally I only have him for a few hours ( other times all day.) When I only have him for a few hours I charge £5ph , my full day rate is £4 an hour.

I bumped into another minder the other day who said I should charge at least £6 an hour for this.

However I am newly registered, waiting for children. I am happy to be flexible with hours and fees, whilst I am waiting.

This is fine for me, mum has used me for more hours lately, fingers crossed it could lead to more. x

**xdirtydancerx** · 07-02-2011, 08:02 PM

I only charge £3.50 per hour regardless of the time the child spends with me. When I have more children on my role I will consider adding a little onto them to make them more worthwhile. However, I think you have to have a good starting point

**linda2girls** · 07-02-2011, 08:17 PM

I charge £3.50 an hour but I have a minimum 5 hour session a day.

Linda.

**mrs_scottydog** · 07-02-2011, 08:33 PM

I charge £4.50 ph and don't have a minimum number of hours that I charge for. Hx

**armadillo** · 07-02-2011, 08:37 PM

I just got registered last week, and was very lucky to have 3 children on a waiting list. Have used this forum so much for advise - love it!

I also charge £3.50 an hour, and charge for a minimum of 6 hours per day.

**miffy** · 07-02-2011, 08:40 PM

£12 for a morning's work doesn't sound a lot does it?

Perhaps you should think about charging a minimum number of hours

Miffy xx

**beerheaven** · 07-02-2011, 08:57 PM

I charge £3.60 per hour with a minimum of 6 hours per day. Anything less than 6 hours I do not feel is worth it financially for my business.

**The Juggler** · 07-02-2011, 10:37 PM

i charge 4.5/hour but 5/hour for 5 hours or less and a min. 4 hour charge

Penny1959 · 08-02-2011, 05:20 AM

The bottom line is - you have to be happy with what you charge and by the sound of your post it seems you are wondering if £12 is enough.

As you have already quoted for this parent you can either say that it is £4 an hour BUT that there is a min number of hours

or you can stick with the £4 and hope that she will use for more hours in the future.

However I think it is time to sit down and really think through what you will charge and write it down.

Also in the future until have met and discussed parents actual requirements it is best not to quote on the phone - either ask them their requirements then work it out and phone them back with your price or get them to visit - this is what I do as no point worrying about fees until know if you like them and they like you! Also I have found that often their actual requirements are very different from those first discussed on phone!

Good Luck

Penny

**mama2three** · 08-02-2011, 07:36 AM

I agree with Penny. We all live in different areas with different local rates , availability etc so its difficult to say what you should do.
My rates actually differ between families..When contacted I explain that all families have different needs and i will meet them , discuss their needs then 'tailor - make' a package for them.
When i first started I took on a child for just a few hours , other cms said I was daft as he was taking up a place and I would regret not charging mum more. He is now full time and my main income.

**xdirtydancerx** · 08-02-2011, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by mama2three

I agree with Penny. We all live in different areas with different local rates , availability etc so its difficult to say what you should do.
My rates actually differ between families..When contacted I explain that all families have different needs and i will meet them , discuss their needs then 'tailor - make' a package for them.
When i first started I took on a child for just a few hours , other cms said I was daft as he was taking up a place and I would regret not charging mum more. He is now full time and my main income.

I think that proves that you have to have that perfect 'give and take' balance

**sfox2003** · 08-02-2011, 01:03 PM

I suppose it really depends on demand for your area. I personally avoid doing half days because Im pretty sure theres enough business in my area that I could get someone wanting a full day. If its school holiday work & I dont really depend on it I sometimes allow half days & charge £15.00 (4 hrs)

**FizzWizz** · 08-02-2011, 01:24 PM

Thanks so much for all the advice - it just shows me that everyone runs their business so differently and I need to have a think about what I would charge for hours / sessions. I liked this woman but don't want to work for free so think I will just say I'll do the 3 hours but would charge £15 min - need to take the advice from the diploma and be more assertive LOL!

**LChurch** · 08-02-2011, 02:52 PM

Hi
Like all the others it is difficult to say. I charge 4.50 an hour regardless of hours done except for afterschool where I charge 5 an hour and a minimum of 2 hours (learned the hard way). There is certainly a need for childminders who can offer odd hours but the problem is most of us are full and can only offer that sort of service if we are new or have temporary vacancies etc. I have had 2 enquiries for short hours on adhoc basis and have had to turn them down because I have been full but had I been just starting out as a cm I would have probably taken them on just because it is experience and some money while you build up clientelle base.

**Merry-Minder** · 08-02-2011, 02:55 PM

I charge £4 per hour with a min of £20. Its a bit of a bummer when someone asks you for a full time space and you have someone blocking you cause of one day a week, so I make it more worth my while. but thats the chance you take.x

**Jo Hadfield** · 11-02-2011, 08:54 PM

I am sat here reading this,and amazed at how much people charge and their set hours.It never occurred to me that CMs would set a min of hours.I have a mindee who comes for 3 hours one day a week,his mum knows if I am offered other work,she is happy to stand down so to speak.I am full thankfully.
I know it is a business but for me I would feel cheeky asking for min hours.

Jo

**tulip0803** · 11-02-2011, 09:10 PM

I charge the same hourly rate to everyone. I do have a minimum charge of 3 hours a day for pre-school but have never had to use as they have all come for more than that

. The 3 hours is still less than £10 though on this areas standard fees

.

**jane5** · 12-02-2011, 12:12 AM

I charge £35 per day and £20 per half day 8-1 and 1-6. If a contracted mindee wants extra hours I would charge them £4 per hour but only because I am not committed to it and could give the space to somebody else.

Any one not contracted I would charge the above session rates or £5 per hour a minimum of 4 hours if 10- 2 was needed but if they need 10 - 2 contracted hours I would charge £25.