Ok; i'm sorting out my paperwork regarding fees and charges.
I think i've decided to charge £3 an hour.
It's all the other stuff i don't know what to do...
Basically can you let me know if there's anything else not on this list that i need to be thinking about:-

Bank hols
My hols/their hols
Sickness;mine and theirs
Charging extra for food.
(i've put down that i don't include wipes, nappies, formula or baby jars in my fee; and parents are expected to pay for admission fees/spending money on outings)
Late payment charge
Settling in; i'm going to offer 4hrs free and after that paid.
Deposits/Retainers!!!
B4 and after schoolers
I think i'm going to ask to be paid i advance either weekly or monthly by cash or standing order.
Minimum hours.
Charging while child's at pre-school or nursery
Late collection fees.
Maternity
Sibling dicounts.

Is there anything else i need to think about???

I've been searching the forum for clues on what everyone does regarding the things i've written above. I have answers for a few but i may be asking some more questions soon...

Kelly :)

Ok; i'm sorting out my paperwork regarding fees and charges.
I think i've decided to charge £3 an hour.
It's all the other stuff i don't know what to do...
Basically can you let me know if there's anything else not on this list that i need to be thinking about:-

Bank hols - up to you - do you want to work them, I personally don't therefore I don't charge
My hols/their hols - 4 weeks full fee on their part - I state that the child has to be absent from the setting to count as holiday, 4 weeks mine unpaid but i will change this to two week half rate and any other unpaidSickness;mine and theirs - full rate theirs, none for mine
Charging extra for food. - £1.00 lunch, £1.25 dinner
(i've put down that i don't include wipes, nappies, formula or baby jars in my fee; and parents are expected to pay for admission fees/spending money on outings) - yep but I would charge for baby jars or homemade dinners Late payment charge - £5.00 per day
Settling in; i'm going to offer 4hrs free and after that paid.
Deposits/Retainers!!! not really had to do this others will be able to advise you betterB4 and after schoolers - normal rate and I will be stopping discount for siblingsI think i'm going to ask to be paid i advance either weekly or monthly by cash or standing order. whatever suits youMinimum hours. 10hrs per weekCharging while child's at pre-school or nursery full rate if responsible for pick up and drop ofLate collection fees. if you are settling at £3ph then I would say £4.50 per 15 mins! discourage it ...Maternity - sorry no advice
Sibling dicounts. - none any more
Is there anything else i need to think about???

I have added in 3 days compassionate absence for families at no charge per year
I have also factored in up to 4 full days of Professional Training per year at full rate
I've been searching the forum for clues on what everyone does regarding the things i've written above. I have answers for a few but i may be asking some more questions soon...

Kelly :)

Hope that helps a bit. Everyone is different - your business your rules

Term time only or holiday only cover
Emergency cover
Hours outside the contracted hours
Cover for other childminders - your charges or theirs?

HTH

miffy xx

I'm stumped with those, Miffy!!! Can you explain what you do so i can get an idea please? With term time only i think i'd charge a retainer for the hols.

Kelly:)

I charge half rate during school hols if it's a term time only contract.

Yeah. think that's what i'll do too.
What about looking after children only in the school hols? Don't understand how i'd do this??? Obviously, they may take a place of a child i may get all year and i wouldn't want to miss out on this. I presume i wouldn't charge for the whole year!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

I have managed to combine the hols only care with others who want term time only. I don't charge the holiday only lot a retainer for term time.

Yeah. think that's what i'll do too.
What about looking after children only in the school hols? Don't understand how i'd do this??? Obviously, they may take a place of a child i may get all year and i wouldn't want to miss out on this. I presume i wouldn't charge for the whole year!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

I would imagine from experience if you had holiday only children, then they would be at least over 5 as they would be at school the rest of the yr,

Therefore i would never charge a retainer for the termtime for them as

a. noone would pay it!!!

B. you could fill the space termtime

hope that makes sense x

If i charged the children who do term time only a retainer for the hols, i couldn't fill their place though, could i? I'd have to keep it open in case they needed me.

Kelly:)

If i charged the children who do term time only a retainer for the hols, i couldn't fill their place though, could i? I'd have to keep it open in case they needed me.

Kelly:)

That's how I understand it too - I plan on taking a deposit for the summer holidays which I will put towards their next bill when they return in September, however if they don't return I will not return the deposit. I will only do this in the summer hols not halfterm hols.

Hope that helps a little!

x x x