Need to increase my fee

[Zoomie]

The current rate in my area is £4/h.

Two years ago when I set up, I set my fee at £3.75. I have one mindee on this rate (been with me 18 months).

Mindee currently attends 23 hours a week, so £86.25 per week.
So if I increase fee, weekly amount will be £92 per week, so a £5.75 increase per week.

However, mindee wants to increase hours, by 8 a week, making it 31 hours a week.

So at £4/h, the new weekly fee will be £124 per week.

I really need and want to increase my hourly fee, but I am worried that the increase in fee coupled with the increase in hours will be seen as just too much.

Either way I do have to do a contract review ...

[Alibali]

I only ever increase my fees when there is a change in contract, I think it's the best time to do it, maybe explain to parents what you had planned to increase it to, but as she's increasing hours too could you meet it somewhere in the middle? x

[Zoomie]

Well I did the letter and gave it to parent.

Decided to give her six weeks notice of fee change and parent almost said she was expecting it.

[miffy]

Well I did the letter and gave it to parent.

Decided to give her six weeks notice of fee change and parent almost said she was expecting it.

That's good then - if you are cheaper than others in your area and haven't increased your fees in the 18 months you have been looking after her lo then it's not unreasonable that you do it now and mum obviously knows that.

I know what you mean though, it's always worse wondering how they will react when you say you're increasing fees!

Miffy xx