Hourly rate

[mumofone]

With minimum wage set to rise are any of you putting your fees up? How often do you raise your fees?

[loocyloo]

I tell my parents that I put my fees up 4% in the April. However, it is usually every other April, and usually about 3.5%.

[moggy]

I tend to do it every 2-3 years, and try to find a moment when I have a natural change over of families (or at least one family leaving/starting). And I give plenty of notice.

[loocyloo]

I tend to do it every 2-3 years, and try to find a moment when I have a natural change over of families (or at least one family leaving/starting). And I give plenty of notice.

I tell all parents in their January invoice that their fees will be going up in the April ( and what the new fee will be )

[mumofone]

I tell all parents in their January invoice that their fees will be going up in the April ( and what the new fee will be )

Is that every year loocyloo?

[mumofone]

I wonder if this will force more childminders out of the profession and mean nurseries struggle too.

[Dragonfly]

I put my fees up a little as suggested by my early years person ( don’t know official name) she thought my fees too low. But I didn’t want to go too high as people are struggling at the moment. And I don’t put them up every year no.

[loocyloo]

Is that every year loocyloo?

In my policies I say I put them up every year, but at contract signing i say that it is actually, usually every 2 years. I always say that if a fee increase will be a problem, to please speak to me. No one ever hs, and some parents tell me I don't charge enough, but I'm happy with what I charge.

[Ellisha]

I only put mine up once in the 5 years I was working in my old area and only to new families. Some of the childminders in my old area hadn't put theirs up the whole time I was there. Having moved areas, I am lower than I used to be, but have gone for a rate that is higher than many of the childminders around here. Anyone who has enquired about my rate doesn't seem to have been put off by it.

[Dragonfly]

When I put mine up it was with new families

[Maza]

Ellisha I'm exactly the same as you. I moved out of London to the midlands a couple of years ago and my rate is currently less than when I first started minding over ten years ago. I'm also more expensive than most local minders, but no one has questioned it - some of my families have also recently moved from London and some had childminders there, so they are paying less now and are obviously happy.

[loocyloo]

I'm just about charging now, what I was when I moved North 10 1/2 years ago from the South!

[Dragonfly]

I’m in a East anglia our fees are low compared to a lot of the country.

[Mouse]

When I first started childminding the going rate was £1 an hour, with a 50% discount for siblings! And we provided food out of that!

Thankfully, my fees have increased considerably over the years :laughing:

Now, if I’m going to increase my fees, I tend to do it for new starters or at a contract change. Eg. When a child moves onto funding I’ll put them onto the new rate for any additional hours. I think my fees are higher than a lot of other local childminders and even several of the nurseries, but it doesn’t stop me filling spaces. I also encourage all of my parents to sign up to tax free childcare, so it actually costs them less.

[mumofone]

When I first started childminding the going rate was £1 an hour, with a 50% discount for siblings! And we provided food out of that!

Thankfully, my fees have increased considerably over the years :laughing:

Now, if I’m going to increase my fees, I tend to do it for new starters or at a contract change. Eg. When a child moves onto funding I’ll put them onto the new rate for any additional hours. I think my fees are higher than a lot of other local childminders and even several of the nurseries, but it doesn’t stop me filling spaces. I also encourage all of my parents to sign up to tax free childcare, so it actually costs them less.

£1 an hour Mouse!

[Dragonfly]

That must of been during social services time mouse before Ofsted . We were paid so little.

[Mouse]

That must of been during social services time mouse before Ofsted . We were paid so little.

Yes, over 25 years ago!

Unfortunately for parents, the introduction of Ofsted made us 'professionals' and our fees went up accordingly. Until then we were very much the cheap choice for childcare. I don't know about you, but I started out with the aim of earning a little bit of money while my own children were young. The first child I looked after was a friend/neighbour's little boy and I charged £40 a week full time care. On the plus side, the mum was a great cook and she used provide my family with an evening meal most nights!

[Dragonfly]

Yes, my oldest children are in their 30’s have always been in childcare , nanny , fostering and childminding.

I didn’t mind not being ‘ professional ‘ 😀 it was a good time and all childminders I knew were good people who done great things with the children..The children were well looked after and happy and not a learning journey in place.