Do I charge fees if parents don't need me in school holidays?

**Lynz08** · 28-08-2013, 04:36 PM

Hello, I am a over 5s childminder so only do before/after school and school holidays. I currently have 3 children in my care. One is full time (3 hours a day and 10 hours a day school holidays), another one is 3 hours a day after school and occasional holiday care and the 3rd one is 2 hours a day twice a week and no school holidays. My hourly rate is £2.65 and if I do not have the children in my care (e.g if they are ill or on holiday) my reduced fee is £1.32 (if I am ill or on holiday fee is £0)

So far I have charged the £1.32 an hour if the child does not come to me in the school holidays (based on their regular contract hours so for the 3rd child they are charged £5.30 a week in school holidays) and I have never had any problems before. However, I have met a lady who wants me to care for her two children after school for 2 hours but does not need care during school holidays as she is a teacher. I explained to her that the fee during school holidays would be £1.32 per usual hour (so 2 hours a day) which she wasn't happy with and said she wouldn't pay. Now I suppose yes this is a bit steep but I've never had any problems with other parents. So should I stick to my guns or not charge her? Or just charge her a small retainer fee?

Hope this makes sense!!

**charlottenash** · 28-08-2013, 05:01 PM

I don't have any advice, just had to comment that you are soooo cheap!

**funemnx** · 28-08-2013, 05:05 PM

I used to charge a retainer in the holidays when I minded for a teachers children (half hourly rate) and I think this is normal practice. However, now I do offer Term Time only contracts and Holiday only contracts just because it suits me. To be honest, I think it's not much for the parent to come up with to retain your services... Will another CM offer her such a good deal, I don't think so. Hope it works out for you!

**Lynz08** · 28-08-2013, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by charlottenash

I don't have any advice, just had to comment that you are soooo cheap!

Haha I know thankyou :-) when people contact me they don't believe me lol

**Lynz08** · 28-08-2013, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by funemnx

I used to charge a retainer in the holidays when I minded for a teachers children (half hourly rate) and I think this is normal practice. However, now I do offer Term Time only contracts and Holiday only contracts just because it suits me. To be honest, I think it's not much for the parent to come up with to retain your services... Will another CM offer her such a good deal, I don't think so. Hope it works out for you!

Hi thanks for the reply. I've never had to do a term time only contract before, what exactly is it? Is it where I only charge for term time but spread it over the 12 months? Thanks for your help

**adedwards68** · 28-08-2013, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by charlottenash

I don't have any advice, just had to comment that you are soooo cheap!

I thought the exact same thing. Is she really quibbling over £26 a week. I'm sure you'd fill those spaces easily

Sent from my iPhone using Childminding Forum

**Lynz08** · 28-08-2013, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by adedwards68

I thought the exact same thing. Is she really quibbling over £26 a week. I'm sure you'd fill those spaces easily

Sent from my iPhone using Childminding Forum

Thanks, I thought maybe I was being too mean but I guess I'm not :-)
There doesn't seem to be much call for childcare in my area really so I'm just worried that if I lose these 2 girls then I won't get anyone else, it took me almost a year to go from just one child to 3 so I'm just a bit worried

but if I do back down it means I will have to change the contracts for the other two parents that don't use me in school holidays (it's only fair) so I guess I will lose more money

**little chickee** · 28-08-2013, 06:03 PM

Is there any reason your fees are so low?
Is this normal for your area?

If not i would seriously consider raising them, even if just for new customers.

As for the after school / school holiday thing then yes i think you should definatley charge your half fees - you are so cheap anyway.

**samb** · 28-08-2013, 06:03 PM

I can't believe he is worried about such a low fee! I would perhaps charge a higher rate term time only?

**Lynz08** · 28-08-2013, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by little chickee

Is there any reason your fees are so low?
Is this normal for your area?

If not i would seriously consider raising them, even if just for new customers.

As for the after school / school holiday thing then yes i think you should definatley charge your half fees - you are so cheap anyway.

Childminders in my area charge around £3.50 an hour and when I started out I wanted to try and get ahead of the competition and only charged £2.50 an hour. I recently changed the rate to £2.65 as I didn't want to increase it by too much. I think I will stick to my guns then and tell her that's my final fee, she's not going to find a cheaper quote!!!

**Lynz08** · 28-08-2013, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by samb

I can't believe he is worried about such a low fee! I would perhaps charge a higher rate term time only?

Thanks, that's a good idea how much would you maybe recommend - £3.00? Or is this too high?

**sing-low** · 28-08-2013, 06:38 PM

I would tell her to take it or leave it - her decision. It's normal practice and I'd be surprised if she found anyone cheaper.

**Samijanec** · 28-08-2013, 06:43 PM

I can't type what I'd be telling her to do...

**Lynz08** · 28-08-2013, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by sing-low

I would tell her to take it or leave it - her decision. It's normal practice and I'd be surprised if she found anyone cheaper.

I've just quickly text her saying i'm sticking with the original contract and that she needs to meet me to discuss it further. TBH she already signed the contract and didn't read it properly obviously because it was me that mentioned the school holidays she didn't even realise

**Lynz08** · 28-08-2013, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Samijanec

I can't type what I'd be telling her to do...

Hahaha :-)
I'm just glad everyone is seeing it from the view I am I thought maybe I was being a bit cheeky!!

**Tealady** · 28-08-2013, 06:52 PM

Say you understand her problem and wish her the best in finding a more affordable option ;-)

You say you are worried about her going elsewhere but will she really find anyone cheaper?

**Lynz08** · 28-08-2013, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Tealady

Say you understand her problem and wish her the best in finding a more affordable option ;-)

You say you are worried about her going elsewhere but will she really find anyone cheaper?

Thankyou yes that is a very good point! She does have her son to rely on though, he is in year 10 but she didn't want him picking them up because of concentrating on his GCSE's but I suppose she could always ask him :-/

**sing-low** · 28-08-2013, 07:30 PM

She's signed a contract so she has to stick to it. It's not your fault if she didn't read it properly!

**Lynz08** · 28-08-2013, 07:43 PM

She's replied back to me now asking how much I would charge if I just charged during term time not during school holidays. I said £3 an hour which on average loses me about £60 over a year but I'm not going to grumble at that :-) Very glad I stuck to my guns now because I'd have lost nearly £350 if I'd have given in and not charged during school hols. Just have to wait and see whether she is okay with that

Glitter · 28-08-2013, 07:48 PM

I think you really need to advertise your low fees. Parents will be falling over themselves to send their children to you.

Have you thought about asking the local primary schools if they would give out your information to parents.