Childminder query

keld

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post, but here goes.

I've used the same childminder for 8 years (so you'd think I could talk to her, but it's incredibly difficult).:o

My DS started with her when he was 6 months, then, as he went to school my twin DD's started with her. So I've always paid for a 9 hour day (or 4.5 hours as a retainer when we've been on holiday) 4 days a week for 50 weeks a year, whether it's been term time or not. However my DDs have just started school and I'm not sure what I should be getting charged.

All I need is 8.30-9.0 in the morning and 3.15-5.30 in the evening term time, she says that I need to pay for 1 hour in the morning and 2.5 at night, so say 3.5 hours maximum a day.

During the school holidays we will either take time off or they will go to grandparents, except for maybe 2 or 3 weeks during the summer holidays. So would that be classed as additional hours?

Therefore would the retainer based on the 3.5 hours? I've asked her and she was going to check with her friend (who's also a registered childminder)! It's just this has never come up before and the October half term is only a few weeks away. As usual we are taking time off with the children and I had assumed that I would be paying half the 3.5 hours (in fact I thought it was 3 hours, but that's another story).

Sorry to go on so long, but we've had a good working relationship and she's very good with the children, but in these straighten times every penny counts as some supermarket says.

Thanks.

markelock

does it not also depend on the limitations placed on the childminder by having your child there briefly. i.e. she can't have another child full time?

I'd say half a day is a fair amount of time. The same if they go on holiday (do you pay her when she goes on holiday?) You could combine the two if possible and ignore that conversation.

We have similar problems. Personally I pay more for my child than the other parents, but we use the services more often and for longer (both full time working parents), and we place our most important things in her hands every day. I also pay wage increases year on year, and pay her holidays.


It's better and cheaper than a nursery.

dangers

One hour minimum is generally the norm for school age children.
During holidays, I generally charge full fees if I am used (whatever hours these may be), or if the parents have alternative care, then I charge ½ the term time fee (for example if your daily rate term time is £10, then I would charge £5).
With regard to your query over hours in the afternoon, because it is over 1 hour, then I would only charge for the time used (2¼ hours).
But then, that is my personal choice.
Hope this helps

alwaysonthego_2

I love my childminder and she usually charges 1/2 rates if parents go on holiday, but I choose to pay her full fees because my children love her and I wouldn't like her to lose out on any money.

ALI1973

Sorry can' t advise with the childminder situation, but would think as the others have suggested, a lot would depend on her current demand and whether she can find children to "make" up her pay when yours are not there.

However, have you explored wraparound/out of school clubs? we have an excellent before/after/holiday school club attached to our school (run through the local church), again you do have to pay a minimum of one hours care per day but that can be in conjunction with after school hours too (I believe), ie. 30mins in morning, and 2 1/4 hrs after = 2hrs 45 mins payment. And as you pay for the service as you use it you wouldnt pay anything during school hols, unless you needed to use it IYSWIM?. They also offer 2nd or more child discount and you can use Childcare vouchers to pay too.

Hope this helps
Ali xx

pixiegirl

Hi I dont know if i can help but i am a Childminding Coordinator.

How old are your children?? Childminders are required to look after children between the ages of 0-8 years.

If anyone other than a registered childminder looks after a child aged between 0-8 for longer than 2 hours a day for any kind of reward or payment its illegal.

Therefore if your children are aged 8+ you could legally pay a relative or friend to look after your children??

If there is anything i can help you with please feel free to PM me

Pixie x

Mrs_Thrify

Hiya, I use to be a childminder for many years. I would say look to see what your contract says??? Looking @ the 3.15 - 5.30 time. For me I would charge from 3pm - when I had to leave my house on their buissness to walk the 15 minutes to the school. My children were all alot older and went to the senior school. My contracts also said, there was no charge for bankholidays as I did not work them. As for holidays - if you don't intend using them have the contract state term tine only, you could always then just ask for extra days????

izoomzoom

Hiya

I am presently in the process of registering as a childminder ...

My suggestion would be to ask for a new contract based on your current requirements. I am pretty sure the older children don't count in her numbers (adult:child ratio) so failing to fill those places would not cost her anything.

Often childminders only have children during term time (teacher's children) so its something that comes up quite often, and many parents somehow need care during the holidays but not during school time .

At the end of the day, I suppose it all boils down to whatever you can negotiate with her.

keld

Thanks everyone.

I think the best thing to do is get my contract to state term time only and if I need extra hours during the holiday I'll just have to take my chances. At least that way it's clear to all of us.