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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Want poncey organic childminder-your thoughts?

117 replies

Fillyjonk · 26/01/2007 08:52

I want some childcare. Am looking at various options.

A childminder really appeals. But also, am fussy, as you will see below.

I want:

fresh, vegetarian food. No frigging angel delight. No trans fats. Home baking with butter not marg is great. Am not fussy re sugar.

And I don't want anyone telling my kids to "finish whats on their plate" or "try everything".

Daily walking. And not to some huge soft play place where the CM sits with a coffee and chats to other CM and ignores the kids (this is what happens at the local soft play and it is really putting me off using any local CMs, tbh).

No dogs or smoking

Lots of reading and no tv

No overt attempt to teach reading or anything

Oh and I only want maybe 3 mornings a week, but have a lot of flexibiliyt as to which. A weekend day would also be fine.

Ok basically I am a ponce and a yummy mummy. But I am prepared to pay for this. I need some childcare right now and Cardiff has bllx all choice, all the nurseries are pretty much the same.

I kind of just want to know if CMs like this exist. Basially I want someone else to be a yummy mummy to my kids. I will pay for this. Is this possible? Are any of you guys such CMs? (this will give me hope)

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franyfroo · 27/01/2007 16:29

i am virtually all organic. hate tv but do use it for cbeebies. out in all weather even snow. dont like any coffee unless has alcohol and cream on top! cant afford to get hair done in london but i do go to tony and guy,

aviatrix · 27/01/2007 15:45

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shosha · 27/01/2007 15:42

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Original poster
Fillyjonk · 27/01/2007 15:34

lol

ok so we now need to set up a complex triangle involving dorset, cardiff and gurnsey

but have just realised its ok cos...

aviatrix is a pilot!

wayhey!

now aviatrix I take it there is proper coffee served on your plane there?

OP posts:
shosha · 27/01/2007 15:25

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aviatrix · 27/01/2007 15:21

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smeeinit · 27/01/2007 13:57

filly i dont think im poncey enough for you!
altho i do go to london for my haircuts!
but i do live in greater london so its not like im going from dorset!!
i travel 30+ miles to get my nails done every 2 weeks too,does that make me poncey?!!!!!

smeeinit · 27/01/2007 13:55

skibump your not mad!! i charge £5.50p/h for babysitting,but £4.25p/h for cming.
b.sitting is more as it takes up the evenings! which are precious to every working person!

skibump · 27/01/2007 13:53

Am I mad? I pay £5/hr for a babysitter. I take the view that looking after my baby is a far more important job than stacking shelves at Tesco, and should be paid accordingly

Original poster
Fillyjonk · 27/01/2007 13:52

oh lol but you are now

will one of you please move to Cardiff and get poncey?

I'll buy the filter coffee...

OP posts:
smeeinit · 27/01/2007 13:45

for recognising the important job us cms do.
thank you.
so many people look at us as glorified babysitters without a "real" job.

Original poster
Fillyjonk · 27/01/2007 13:39

there is quite a lot of support from the government in working tax credit, though that is a nightmare tbh.

I don't think childminders are expensive, compared to the service they provide

however I would pay more for stuff that will clearly cost them more to provide eg fresh food, or be perhaps more onerous on them, eg keeping the tv off.

and actually, it does irk me when people don't recognise that CMs are professionals running a business. And here I am saying, look, I reckon there's a gap in the market.

OP posts:
crace · 27/01/2007 13:29

Ska - I agree with you completely. I simply can't afford to work with my two, and I am only in Kent nevermind if I was in London or had to go back to work in London. I would be gone 12 hours!

It's not the childcarers fault, I agree there needs to be some support from the government.

This is why I feel so badly taking peoples money! I remember from myself how expensive just one was before/after school.

ska · 27/01/2007 13:15

CM are self employed for all purposes and there are special rules only in that the amount of 'profit' they get to keep. nannies are employees so the employer is reposnible for deducting tax/ni etc.
both are professionals and CM get regular inspections although nannies can get ofsted tpe 'appproved childcare' status and are then checked up annually. the choice is often availability/price etc. in my area there simply aren't CM available - so most people use nannies/nurseries and pay a high cost. makes it hard to afford to work.
child care is simply too expensive, not meaning that childcarers get too much money but the state doesn't make a big enough contribution.

shosha · 27/01/2007 13:08

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Original poster
Fillyjonk · 27/01/2007 10:43

Oh AND

I dunno how much I would pay, but round here is about £3 ph I think and that is a fricking joke, IMO, a well trained professional should be entitled to more than that. Though I accept that CMs do often have several kids at one time.

there are special HB and CTB rules for CMs to take account of a. their low pay and b. their importance to society.

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Original poster
Fillyjonk · 27/01/2007 10:41

oh ffs greeny, hush

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Original poster
Fillyjonk · 27/01/2007 10:41

ok

am ROFL at this one really

I cannot believe that I am alone in wanting a poncey childminder. Really?

Ah well I shall content myself with planning my lentil weavereque CM empire.

No telly, lots of reading, lots of outdoor time, and no crappy food.

Doesn't seem too outrageous to me.

OP posts:
Greensleeves · 27/01/2007 10:31

I rather think Filly is planning on home schooling

Twiglett · 27/01/2007 10:20

oh and I was expensive relatively

Twiglett · 27/01/2007 10:16

if you want a childminder you would probably have to compromise .. but you could get most of what you want

eg I childminded for a short while and was probably right up your street except I use Olivio not butter and I'm not completely anti-tv

I think fillyjonk whoever you get to look after your child that the next couple of years are going to be quite difficult for you if you want that kind of control because quite honestly that's the kind of control you have to start to give up as they get older and go to pre-school / school (unless you're planning on home schooling)

there are areas where you have to look at the bigger picture which might not be what you'd choose for your child but will be satisfactory

good luck in your search though

Original poster
Fillyjonk · 27/01/2007 10:04

lol

am not hippy mummy though

i don't fondle crystals

hmm smeeint i am sure we can find something to make you a ponce...how about commuting from dorset to london for haircuts? surely you do that?

OP posts:
shosha · 27/01/2007 10:00

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Greensleeves · 27/01/2007 09:58

nannynick - why would you not take a child out in the snow?

smeeinit · 27/01/2007 09:52

hahahaha!!

im trying to keep up....................honest!

i drink instant coffee! love the stuff!
suppose im not a ponce then!