childminder costs

[imajenarry]

does anyone use a childminder.will start using childminding services soon and just wondered what the average charges are.thankyou.

[imajenarry]

also there's a childminder i'm considering who seems very good but she's requesting that i provide food for my baby boy for the day when she has him...is this the usual practice..and does that affect how much childminders charge if they provide food or not or is there not much difference?thanks again.

[sholay]

My mum's been a childminder for about 20 odd years now - after I started full time school (I'm the youngest in a large family and the empty house was unnerving her. Bless!)

I don't know the ins and outs but practicaly all the kids bring their own food so I think thats normal. I also think she gets paid shockingly bad - around �3 to �4 an hour - far below minimum wage if she only has one child.

Our local council has a website specifically for registered child care including childminders in our area with all contact details so you could always call around to see how much others in your area are charging. But always make sure they're registered and have first aid skills.

[ayla99]

Charges vary across the country - in london & other city centres it can be �5 or more per hour, in more rural areas you'll find charges nearer �3. Also some Childminders offer lower rates for full time places or full days but have higher rates you only want a few hours per day.

Many Registered Childminders will provide meals, this may be included in a daily fee but may be charged separately. Because of unknown allergies etc, Childminders may ask that weaning/first meals are given at home. Changes in the law mean that all Registered Childminders will have or be about to register as a food business with their Local Authority.

As well as meals, when comparing fees you should find out about costs for absence, holidays (yours & theirs), and check whether fees include snacks, outings, toddler group, nappies etc.

You can get details of local Registered Childminders from www.childcarelinks.gov.uk. Registered Childminders are now required to display their Registration Certificate - be sure to read this AND their full Ofsted inspection report to check they are registered with Ofsted.


HTH www.sueschildminding.co.uk/parents.htm