fees when at pre-school?

[zoe compton]

Hi, Can you please help?

My husband and I are having (rather heated) discussions on what I should charge if the child I am looking after goes to pre-school. He says full fees because the child is still taking a place. I wasn't going to charge a fee at all if I didn't have them but he says I've got to rememmber I'm running a business. Do we meet in the middle and charge half fees?

What do you ladies do?

[littletreasures]

If I take and collect I charge full fee.

I only go to no fee once they start school.

littletreasures

[Banana]

as above

x

[angeldelight]

Yes I still charge

The child is taking up a place

What happens if the child is ill and sent home - if you are not getting paid would the parent expect you to go and collect ? I am sure she would so yes still charge
Say if pre- school is closed - no heating or something - parent would expect you to be avilable?

Must say before I used this forum I used to think the same as yourself and never charged - silly me

But I do now

Angel xx

[zoe compton]

thanks for the help ladies! humph maybe the husband is right sometimes then!! (not that i would admit it to him)

[angeldelight]

No whatever you do act like you knew the answer all along haha

xxx

[TillyTwinkle]

I do the same as little treasures and charge full fee if i take and collect!

Hope this helps.

Tilly.xx

[anneriddington]

You could butter up you hubby and say that you think you'll go with his suggestion, but save the brownie points you'll earn for the next "debate"

[zoe compton]

sounds like your well and truly practised at this art of deception! but i like the idea a lot!!

[Pipsqueak]

If I take and collect I charge full fee.

I only go to no fee once they start school.

littletreasures

Ditto

And remember you are running business and trying to earn a living just like anyone else

[SonnysMummy]

How do you explain about charging while at pre-school etc in your paperwork? Just want to write it so that parents understand why i will charge?

Kelly

[deeb66]

How do you explain about charging while at pre-school etc in your paperwork? Just want to write it so that parents understand why i will charge?

Kelly

I just write it very simple in my Prospectus.

It basically says that as your child will still be under the age of five they will still be taking one of my 3 available slots for the few hours that they are at pre-school.

As I cannot possibly fill this space for such a short period of time they will still be charged accordingly. However once the child is at full time school I will only charge for the time before and after school.

I also make sure that I talk to them about it as well so that they fully understand.

[crazybones]

I just write it very simple in my Prospectus.

It basically says that as your child will still be under the age of five they will still be taking one of my 3 available slots for the few hours that they are at pre-school.

As I cannot possibly fill this space for such a short period of time they will still be charged accordingly. However once the child is at full time school I will only charge for the time before and after school.

I also make sure that I talk to them about it as well so that they fully understand.

Do you mind I pinch that Dee? I have always had trouble wording it.

[buildingblocks]

How do you explain about charging while at pre-school etc in your paperwork? Just want to write it so that parents understand why i will charge?

Kelly

This is written in my handbook under the fee section

PLEASE NOTE whilst your child is at Nursery or Playgroup (morning or afternoon session), if we are required to drop off and collect, the child remains our responsibility, and therefore the full hourly fee will be due for the hours they are attending Nursery or Playgroup. This must be decided at the point of signing of contracts and not decided on an as and when basis.

[Kelly]

I always find this a really hard one, most parents assume when their child starts nursery their childcare fees will go down a bit, only to find out that although they are getting free nursery places they still have to pay their childminder!!!

I have two children starting nursery this year and I am still considering what I am going to do re fees. I would like to be able to not charge (personal thing), I have decided I will deffinatly not charge full fee though, although I will drop off/collect and I will be available for all holidays/school closures I will not collect if the child is unwell.

Kelly

[buildingblocks]

I always find this a really hard one, most parents assume when their child starts nursery their childcare fees will go down a bit, only to find out that although they are getting free nursery places they still have to pay their childminder!!!

I have two children starting nursery this year and I am still considering what I am going to do re fees. I would like to be able to not charge (personal thing), I have decided I will deffinatly not charge full fee though, although I will drop off/collect and I will be available for all holidays/school closures I will not collect if the child is unwell.

Kelly

For those of you who feel guilty remember if the child is over 3 and claiming the free funded place the parent isn't often paying whole they are at PG or nursery

[tulip0803]

I charged the full fee if they expected the place to be available in the school holidays.

[Heaven Scent]

All the childminders in my area charge full because despite sayine that they won't be available for pick ups - parents soon forget and its another thing to fall out over.

[SonnysMummy]

What do you do if you don't take and collect the child?

Kelly

[Twinkles]

Yep full fees whether or not I collect.

NEVER admit to hubby you're wrong. Just tell him he didn't understand your argument