Im in a muddle

[TammyN]

I have been asked to care for two children, 1 all day (pre school in oct) the other after school. she has a cm at tho mo who can't continue and has stated she payed £20 per day, per child i charge £36 per day and £4 ph for school age, now im in a dilemma as she has said she can't pay my going rate but really wants me to have children what can i do for her.
i have sat all night trying various options as i really need the children to start to keep me going, so what do i do. for 3 days each i have fee's ranging from £600 per month through to £486 with various offers. what do you all do?

[wendywu]

I would back away like mad if any one said i can only afford so much.

I set my rate not the parents, i expect the other minder ended the contract as she has taken on other children for the going rate

[TammyN]

I would back away like mad if any one said i can only afford so much.

I set my rate not the parents, i expect the other minder ended the contract as she has taken on other children for the going rate

Hmmmm, the parent has just got a place at school near me, cm couldn't do it apparently. i know what you mean and a friend has informed me of the parents 'good' job but i do need children in sept and it's been soooo quiet here lately.

[jane5]

If you do it to cheaply you will resent it and it is much harder to raise the fees once you are minding the lo's.

You have said that you have heard about the parents good job, it sounds like the mum is a good at negotiations and she probably told her last cm that she couldn't afford the fees.

Tell her you charge the going rate in your area and can not afford to do it any cheaper
A tip I have learnt whilst talking to parents about money is dont be to quick to fill the awkward silences. I have a single parent's lo starting next week and I told her 1 month deposit to be used at the end of the contract and 1 month in advance. She is getting wtc and has not got over £1000 to pay in advance so I have said she can pay weekly 1 week in advance but said I do need the deposit and stopped talking. In my head I was thinking should I accept 2 weeks deposit but because I stayed quiet she then offered to pay the months deposit in instalments

Good luck and I hope she pays the going rate

[TammyN]

WELL after sleeping on it I revised again and settled on an offer that i was happy with although have gave a decent discount. i passed it to her and she came to see me this afternoon asked me to explain my fee's to her and still asked if i would drop lower, i was strong and said no and she has gone away to think about it!! my friend thinks this is sooo cheeky for asking even tho i have gone above and beyond my fee to try and fill my places, guess we will see.
I hate fees

[Ripeberry]

Why do parents feel like they can 'barter' with us? Would she go to a shop and haggle over the price of something?
Stick to your guns, maybe give a small sibling discount but no more.
Once famillies have more than one child it does get very expensive to go to work

[wendywu]

Take her on at this discounted rate with the proviso that if someone else comes along wanting the place you have the right to increase her fees or take the other people on.

But whatever you do take a months deposit and get paid in advance

[gegele]

it's difficult for everyone, the reason she can't afford you are the same reason that you put your fees up. pay peanuts get monkeys let her walk!!

if i did put my fee down then i would ask parent to provide ALL food snak included, fees for toddler group, money for petrol and participation for outing and activities!!!! she would soon make the math and understand that the fees include a lot in!!

[Rubybubbles]

sorry they're my fees! end of!

[manjay]

It can be tough when you need the work . I understand that some think the parent is cheeky but if she is used to negotiating then it just may be normal to her.

If you really do need the work just make sure you settle on a fee that you are completely happy with and not one that you think you may resent a few months down the line. At the end of the day sticking to your principles doesn't necessarily pay the bills

Hope things work out for you xx

[1michelle]

I have been asked to care for two children, 1 all day (pre school in oct) the other after school. she has a cm at tho mo who can't continue and has stated she payed £20 per day, per child i charge £36 per day and £4 ph for school age, now im in a dilemma as she has said she can't pay my going rate but really wants me to have children what can i do for her.
i have sat all night trying various options as i really need the children to start to keep me going, so what do i do. for 3 days each i have fee's ranging from £600 per month through to £486 with various offers. what do you all do?

this is quite spooky sounds like a couple I have just turned away as nothing I proposed to them was good enough if I was you I would run a mile like some one else has said otherwise you may end up regretting it. Just remember your a proffesional and well worth what you charge

Good Luck
Michelle

[TammyN]

Thanx for your replies it does help to sound off sometimes, I guess i will see if she takes my offer but I'm not overly concerned now as Ive been offered a job at preschool whilst my mindee's are there so that could be ideal? I think some things just fall into place don't they.

Tammy

[miffy]

I would take the job at preschool.

The parent sounds like trouble to me - you have offered her a generous discount and still she haggled What would happen in the future if you wanted to put your fees up or needed to charge for an outing?

Honestly, I'd have nothing to do with her.

Miffy xx