what would you do?

**Hebs** · 17-12-2008, 08:50 PM

I have had an enquiry for care for 2 boys aged 9 and 11

hours are very unsocialable

mum works in a care home working shifts so..

would consist of shifts of either

mornings from 7am until school at 9am
after school from 3pm until 10pm

a week could consist of 1 early and 2 lates
or 2 lates and 1 early

her shifts vary each week so i would have to keep every day free for her she finds out shifts 2 weeks in advance

oh and during holidays it would be full time hours

7am until 3pm
or
2pm until 10pm

**Lou** · 17-12-2008, 08:55 PM

Personally i would say NO!!! thats just me though, i couldnt deal with 10pm finishes,

If you decide to do it, i would charge double time before 8am and after 6pm, and remember how much this is going to infringe on your family time and personal life!

**crazybones** · 17-12-2008, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Lou

Personally i would say NO!!! thats just me though, i couldnt deal with 10pm finishes,

If you decide to do it, i would charge double time before 8am and after 6pm, and remember how much this is going to infringe on your family time and personal life!

I agree. I am finding finishing after 6 is starting to cause problems at home.

**mum22** · 17-12-2008, 09:06 PM

personally a no for me as I

need my bed before 10am. I find 6.30 finish (or 7pm if running late) long enough

**Hebs** · 17-12-2008, 09:10 PM

i don't mind doing it

just not sure what/how to charge

**sarah707** · 17-12-2008, 09:21 PM

I do try to be flexible so I would certainly consider it...

Tbh though it would depend on the boys - if they are the type to bounce off the walls then I would be reticent, especially as they're around until late in the evening.

Not sure on charges because I know that people who work in care homes generally do not get paid much money (well they don't round here anyway)... and with 2 children to place it might be a stretch for the mum. Plus they are making benefits harder to get in the new year for parents of children over 11 (I think it's 11)... which might affect her.

Sorry I've waffled on and not answered your question

I'd want to know what was she paying before and why is she leaving. Also what do local minders charge for unsociable hours?

**Hebs** · 17-12-2008, 09:28 PM

she hasn't started the job yet, she is waiting for her CRB

the boys are lovely

very quiet unlike my own son

the local minders don't work past 6pm

**sarah707** · 17-12-2008, 09:34 PM

I'd make it up as you go then!

**miffy** · 17-12-2008, 09:38 PM

I wouldn't do it but that's my personal choice.

If you think you could make it work then you could do a month's trial.

Good luck

Miffy xx

**singlewiththree** · 17-12-2008, 10:19 PM

I personally wouldnt take it on as getting my own dds to bed with other children in the house would be to much for me.

However I suggest you think about whether you are happy to work for normal rate. Like Sarah said care workers usually get paid pretty much minimum wage or a bit more if they are qualified. If you think normal rate doesnt make up for the inconvenience you could either put another £1 an hour after 6pm or add a top up unsociable fee. Really she doesnt have much option if she wants the job and no-one else will do it. At least its two children so its double money for you anyway unless you offer sibling discount?

**acorns** · 17-12-2008, 10:20 PM

For me it wouldn't work as i'd feel like I never get away from minding & my son would never go to bed if he knew others were up doing things he'd like to do. But if it suits you I would charge my normal rate during my normal hours (8-6) then time & half outside of that.

**breezy** · 17-12-2008, 10:21 PM

I couldn't do that late

**Zoomie** · 17-12-2008, 11:14 PM

I would consider it, but I think the mindees would have to go to bed (even if it were on a blow up matress) at the same time as my own children.

I don't think it is healthy for them to be up so late, and they would struggle the next morning.

I appreciate they would need to be woken / get up when mum arrives, but if they have had a little sleep (or very relaxing time) they should be able to go to sleep quite quickly once they get home.

**cher25** · 17-12-2008, 11:35 PM

I would consider it myself if it arose and i have said to people i would do it and have worked through till 9pm a few times when a parent has had to work late due to covering for someone and the child is contracted till 7 3 days a week anyway. But then i don't have kids of my own yet, when i do i don't think i would even consider it. I enjoy my free time and spending it with my bf.
I charge time and a half after 6pm though.

**PixiePetal** · 17-12-2008, 11:35 PM

I think these would benefit from being cared for in their own home.

Very disruptive to go home after 10pm, for everyone.

Sorry, just my opinion. Have been a nanny too and can see all sides.

**chaotic_space** · 17-12-2008, 11:49 PM

Personally I wouldn't even consider it. I'm often tucked up in bed myself at 10pm

Also it would be very disruptive for the children (and everyone else) to go home at that time. There is the journey home and the settling into bed once they got there to consider too. The children are bound to feel tired for school in the morning.

**Hebs** · 18-12-2008, 07:55 AM

I have said I'll have them as long as I'm registered in time

My own kids are older, and do have the odd late night

Mum only lives few streets away from me so journey home will be short

Just need to work out fees, not going to offer discount for siblings

She is a single mum and will get help from tax credits so offering a discount will only bebefit the government

**don the duck** · 18-12-2008, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by chaotic_space

Personally I wouldn't even consider it. I'm often tucked up in bed myself at 10pm

Also it would be very disruptive for the children (and everyone else) to go home at that time. There is the journey home and the settling into bed once they got there to consider too. The children are bound to feel tired for school in the morning.

i agree with Chaotic space as my sons in bed for 7-8 as only 3 and would be v dirupted for him and i to like to be tucked up ion bed for 9ish.(do have laptop or watching tv)

But everyone curcumstances are different and it might suit u.

**DCS** · 18-12-2008, 10:56 AM

the ages of the children will not affect your numbers so you have to think of the extra workload (longer working hours). Would you consider out ou hours childminding? (care in the children's home)

**Hebs** · 18-12-2008, 10:56 AM

my son has ADHD and is rarly asleep before midnight (unless i medicate him to help him sleep which i don't like doing)

these 2 boys are lovely, my son used to go to school with her youngest so i know they'll get along great

i don't think i could have done it if it were EVERY night until 10pm

but at most it'll be 2 nights a week

TBH it's the 7am starts that'll kill me

so.............

as i need to keep every morning/night "available" do i charge her half fee as a retainer for the mornings/nights she doesn't use but that i couldn't fill with another child as her shifts change?? and full fees for what she uses??