Childminders - School drop offs

izoomzoom

I've had CMs who charge on both ends ...

CM1 charged £15 flat fee for for 1.5h in the morning and 45min in the afternoon.

CM2 charged £3.50 per hour.

When I changed from CM1 to CM2 (and also dropped my 1.5h commute cos we moved) my CM fees dropped by almost 2/3rds :money: and CM2 is such a lovely 'mum' to my children.:D

webbie

I am a childminder - and have often taken children on school am runs only - once your child starts school he is classed as 5 (even if he is not actually 5 yet) and this counts differently in the head count allowed.

I would add that there are often a lot more childminders working that are registered on Childcarelink - we have to personally contact them every three months to keep our information on there - otherwise the information is simply deleted. I would contact the Childcarelink as they will have details of who is the Childminder co-ordinator in your area - this person will know all the minders and have the best knowledge of who has spaces going to your school. As an example, there are only 2 minders on the list for our village, but I know there are 13 working here!

On the plus side, children have always enjoyed coming to my house in the mornings - it's more exciting as there are other children around - but, honestly, after a long day at school (especially when they are only 5) all they want to see at 3.30 is their mum!!

Mips

Good luck astonsmummy with your childminder search - a good one is like rocking horse !!!!!! to find.

jellymid

I may be out of date on this info, so please don't shoot me if the rules have changed, but it used to be that you could look after a child in your own home for up to two hours a day without being a qualified childminder. I think you had to be aware of any potential problems within your house, but most people with kids have usually got the danger area's covered anyway...child locks etc. This could open up the possibility of using a good friend who also does the school run and might ease the transition for you and your littleone. Be warned though - it can put a strain on the best of friendships! Sometimes a businesslike relationship with a childminder is easier to deal with, but as said before, good ones are usually very popular. I would second the choice of 8am - 2pm so being there to collect from school. Good luck, whatever you decide.

nzmegs

I work 8-1pm and it is brilliant. I am always there for them after school and it works well. my husbands drops them at school.
I think you might want to book a child minder for the first couple of terms - but i think you may find that given time you will build up a network of friends who may help out in return for you watching theirs in the afternoon.
If you could do this twice a week it will give you a break money wise and will encourage your child to make good friends.

astonsmummy

jellymid wrote: »

This could open up the possibility of using a good friend who also does the school run and might ease the transition for you and your littleone. Be warned though - it can put a strain on the best of friendships! Sometimes a businesslike relationship with a childminder is easier to deal with, but as said before, good ones are usually very popular. I would second the choice of 8am - 2pm so being there to collect from school. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Thanks, at the moment, that is not an option, I have few friends with children and as my son is going to school in a different neighbourhood to what we live in, I wouldnt know anyone who I could call on.

Carmina_Piranha_3

if school don't have a breakfast club they might know of somewhere that does the same job. there's a nursery along the road from our primary and it does breakfast and after school clubs, and holiday club during school holidays, and walks them to school. it's nothing to do with school, but school will give the information to people who ask.

i think i read that all schools will offer wraparound care within the next couple of years, but can't remember where. it was a government target.

i would agree with others about the shift, i'd prefer to be there when he finishes school, but that might depend on whether a child is a 'morning person' :rotfl:

astonsmummy

Just thought I'd give a little update.
After attedning the parents evening at my sons new school, and realisisng that I will for near on 2 weeks in September have to take him in and pick him up at different times (stagered entry)
So, after having a word with my boss, Ive decided to do 2 nights per week until I'm sorted with the school etc.
EDIT: oh and I enquired about a breakfast club, the dont have one but once my son is in there I'm going to have a try at getting more parents together to ask for one.

webbie

Glad it all seems a lot clearer for you - it helps when you know what is required of you doesn't it!!

Rachie_B

astonsmummy wrote: »

Just thought I'd give a little update.
After attedning the parents evening at my sons new school, and realisisng that I will for near on 2 weeks in September have to take him in and pick him up at different times (stagered entry)
So, after having a word with my boss, Ive decided to do 2 nights per week until I'm sorted with the school etc.
EDIT: oh and I enquired about a breakfast club, the dont have one but once my son is in there I'm going to have a try at getting more parents together to ask for one.

a pain isnt it !

i agree with whoever said you dont only have to look at "registered" childminders as it will be less than 2 hrs care

eg i am a qualified ,experienced Nanny (not a registered childminder)
and of course i have CRB and references

so i offer before school care ( in my home) and drop offs ( i am dropping my own son off so may aswell !)

so maybe try putting an ad on www.gumtree.com www.netmums.com etc
as there may be people in similar situations to myself, willing to do before school care / drop offs

but arent necessarily "registered childminders"

oh and BTW i would def prefer the 8am - 2pm shift,ok so you wont be there to drop him off ,but you will pick him up and do the teatime / bedtime routine etc

Good luck
x