Discussions

I am thinking about doing before/after school care from my home but need some help from other's who do childcare in their homes.What do you charge for before school/lunch/after school care?do you charge the parents ahead of time?do you charge the parents wether-or-not the child shows up for a scheduled day(e.g.they are sick so stay home with their parent)?I have done childcare in my home in the past and had a problem with children not showing up on scheduled days and even the parents NOT calling to let me know their child won't be here,hence I'm here expecting there child and depending on that money(I'm trying to make a living too)and when their child isn't here then I don't get paid.So is it right to charge parents a flat fee based on when their child needs care(e.g.if that child is scheduled for Monday-Friday then the childcare provider should be paid as such every week wether that child has sick days etc. or not)?Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.