I have contracts for the over 8s too it protects us both form situations just like this. I also charge set fees for wrap around care.
£8 a night after school until 6pm including dinner so £40 a week and
£10 a week before school including breakfast. Or £45 for the both.
I have parents that pick up at 5 and others at 6 but they still pay the same allthough I might charge less if they were collecting at 4pm say £4 a night. I
Nobody's shouting at you hun! It's just a bit scary working without a contract!
You need one to protect yourself... to make sure you get paid... and so you are insured... etc...
You should have received a pack from ncma or morton michel when you first registered with some contracts inside... if not, contact your childminding development officer and have a word...
I can understand that you didn't have contracts as you were minding these children before you were fully registered but if you do continue to mind them I would say to her you now have to have a contract.
DO NOT let her dictate to you. That is so out of order. I charge a minimum of 2 hours per day so whether they want half an hour or the full 2 hours they still pay the same. I make this very clear when contracts are signed. I do not do part hours either. My business, my rules! If parents don't like it they can go elsewhere. I know it can be really difficult to be strong but if you don't the parents will walk all over you.
Good luck and keep us posted
amanda xx
I have a ten pound minimum charge to do anything!!! You might want to tell her that. I have one child who arrives at 8.30 ( just one day a week) and I take her to pre-school for 9.15 and I charge £10 for this.
Get a contract done! Now you are registered you should get one done and then that covers you if she decides to up and off without paying you.
Secondly - tell her if 90p is causing that much hassle for her maybe she should conider the cost of minders who do not do part hourly payments and explain you are actually very reasonable with your rates.
Tell her NO - she cant pick her up on the way home, she can either get to the school and pick her up herself or she can wait for you to get home and she will be billed accordingly. She sounds like a royal pain in the jacksy!
x
Big banana hugs from me!
xxx
Sorry I don't think anyone meant to shout at you . I know its hard when you first start up, I was lucky I had a friend who was already a c/m so any questions I asked her. I think everyone was just worried about you, she sounds like she will cause you trouble.
You were right to ask for advice from everyone as it is very daunting to be faced with strong personalities particularly as we are often trained to feel we are in the wrong. British "sorry mentality". Be strong do waht you want to do this is you business - the first no is hard, unless it is a ridiculous situation as in my case but once you have done it you know you can again if the need arises.
Julia xx
I'm worried about the newbies - they have read all our posts, views and stances and we have bred the new breed of minder "Hard Nosed"!!!! It normally takes several bad parents and a few years to get that way lol
I promis I won't shout at you but.......
Please get a contract signed.
If I was you I would:-
Tell this mum that she can wait at home for you.....you will get there as soon as you can!
Tell her that due to the problems encountered you have now changed your charging policy and that she will be charged for every full or part half hour used.....so in the end 5 minutes will make no difference at all!!!!!
As I said this is what I would do but of course you need to do what you think is right for you.
Dee
Independent Cambridge Diet Counsellor
Life may not be the party we hoped for.......but while we're here we should dance!
oh hun, I know where you are ont his one, before I got reg I had a child 6 less than 2 hours a day, so had no contract, but once I was reg I got mum to do one (so maybe now you could say, now my certifcate ahs come through we need to sit down and do one maybe )
I charge 30 mins, so if a child arrived at 7.40am it would be from 7.30 (but then I charge £1.50 per 1/4 before 8am ) so don't really get much!! Then the children go into school at 8.50am but I charge till 9am, never been questioned really, sorry she's been such a ***** to you
Let us know how you go with it all
Contracts are from the lord......!! I would strongly advise as everyone else has on here to get one now you are registered, the ncma do them if you are unsure of how to word yours. I am sure by now after reading all of these posts you know you need one!!!
hugs x x
Love GG x x
If you want to end this arrangement just give notice you do not have to give a reason but if you feel this might be taken the wrong way. Stick to your guns over the payment. Tell mum (politely of course) she can take it or leave it the choice is hers and if she is not happy then she is at liberty ro find another childminder - i personally charge a minimum of three hours a day. If it was me I would start to walk slower
love Kate
Save the earth it's the only planet with chocolate
Just wanted to say I agree with everyone else
Good luck hope you get it sorted
Angel xx
if you dont have a contract you dont have to give her notice that will shut her up see im hard now after 3 years!!!!!!!!!
One life live it
This is what I do, if a child starts at 7.45 and ends her day at 5.15 I can quite easily work out her hours to 1/2 hours but I would never do 1/4 hours because you would get the idiots like your parent who will try and save a few pennies.
What did she agree to in the contract?
If she insits on changing the contract hours she has to give you 4 weeks written notice, you have to change the contract to accomidate the new hours.
To be honest if its not suiting you tell her no, your not going to meet her on the way, she will meet you at the house.
When you first start out in this business you are so grateful to be getting children you put up with all sorts of nonesence, once youve been around the block a few times you'll get tougher, and your confidence will grow and you'll be able to tell these people, no its my way or the highway sweetheart!
Chin up, be strong
If a parent is making a fuss about 90p then often you will have trouble with them and money in the future. I would start looking to replace them.
I dont mind within reason what i do and try to help people out, but i will not put up with people penny pinching and trying to cut corners.
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