Childminder charges for DD whilst at nursery

I told a potential customer I wasn't accredited and she thought I wasn't registered so turned me down - I found out later - because she thought she wouldn't be able to claim child tax credits when using my services. I guess it's tricky to understand the difference, I don't know what she thought the Ofsted certificate of registration displayed by the front door was for. Even if I was accredited it wouldn't be worth doing the 15 free hours

If dd1 did afternoons at the nursery in addition to the free hours they msy well charge during the holidays, they are not allowed to charge for the free 15 hours during holidays but can do for these additional hours. So CM may still be cheaper even if you pay full rate.

My CM doesn't charge for the hours DD1 is at preschool, have been v lucky. I think though that even if she did it'd still be worth dd1 staying with her as it's nice for her to relax in a home in the afternoons.

Talk to your CM. I agreed with my (lovely) CM that on 1 morning a week I would pay her while DD2 was at pre-school, and that in turn, she would be the contact for that session and deal with any issues that arose. However on another morning I wanted her to pick up DD2 from pre-school at lunchtime, but deliberately NOT be the emergency contact, on the understanding that I would deal with any issues / take time off if nursery closed etc. She was happy to make that arrangement.

I have had a couple of little ones do a full day at nursery to take advantage of the free place and come to me as before the rest of the week. I don't mind reducing hours if it gives me a free day to offer, but as others have said, a three hour slot in the middle of the day is no use to anyone - more like two and a half by the time you add in the journey time, and the drop off & pick up eat into the time available to the rest to attend playgroups etc.

I get it now but yep agree with HSMM, if you're not financially better off then I see no benefits to sending her to a nursery, if your cm is doing a great job.

It seems OP is considering nursery to make the most of her 15 hrs free childcare. If it is not going to work out any cheaper, then I would leave your DC with the 'great CM'.

Why are you putting her in a nursery if she is with a great cm?

Apologies MNIFW, I misunderstood your comment.

'You are not permitted to charge for childcare of any sort unless you're registered.'

That's not true. Nannies are not required to be registered. Mother's helps and au pairs will often provide some childcare and are also not registered.

minderjinx is right. Not all childminders can offer the 15 free hours. To do so they must be accredited and be able to offer education by being qualified to at least level 3

But not all registered CMs are accredited Octavia.

MyNameIsn'tWarren - ALL childminders are registered CMs and have qualifications and are assessed. Otherwise they're breaking the law. You are not permitted to charge for childcare of any sort unless you're registered.

We were in a similar situation and negotiated lower fees with the cm. At the end if the day it is her business decision. She can agree to a lower rate or lose the busuness and free up a full space. You can do this in a 'nice' way where you explain that you would much prefer that the child was in her care but financially this is going to be really difficult unless there is some room for negotiation. IME cms quite often agree to 'deals' with existing parents.

And she's already not charging you for holidays... you've got a goodun there!

When my DD was in nursery I paid the 3 hours she was there. It ended up to be a godsend as if the nursery was closed for snow, DD was under the weather (you know, well enough for childminder but not well enough for preschool), during school holidays she was there.
Not that she would have been able to find anouther child for that time I'm sure so she would have been there anyway but I never felt guilty asking her to have DD as I was paying her already.

I felt that it was very fair given that she wouldn't be able to take anyone else during the time.

It's swings and roundabouts I think if you're planning to use the CM for a long time. i.e. When my DD was 3 months to 2 years she was a handful from 8am - 6pm, my CM must have worked her socks off for 10 hours every single day and I certainly wasn't paying her enough for that - a footballers wage wouldn't cover it in my book Then when DD started nursery/ pre-school, CM had it pretty easy: take her to preschool for 9am, fetch her again at lunchtime, feed her, 1.5 hour nap, school run for older children, and then the older one's played with DD until home time! so a pretty easy 10 hour day's pay

I'd pay her if I were you. At least with free nurssery placement you're not paying out twice.

I am a childminder and i charge half fees when children are at nursery as i feel full fee is too much but as i cant fill the space i would lose a lot of money if i charged nothing. Why not have a chat with your childminder and tell her you are stuggling financially and that if you have to pay full fee you will have to move your child which you dont want to do and maybe offer to pay half fees (if you can afford it)

if DD1 doesn't go to the nursery, your CM should be able to claim the funding for the 15 hours per week, which should significantly reduce your childcare costs. just depends how much you want your DD1 to go to nursery and if the expense is worth it to you. if so, then i certainly wouldn't expect any reduction in fees from your CM. three hours a day is no use to her, esp if she also has the hassle of a pick-up.

Does DD1 have to go to nursery in the morning at all? Can she not just stay with the CM until she starts school?