Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

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

Original poster

Childminder 30 hours funded help

33 replies

Bc102 · 04/09/2023 18:25

Hi
I’m looking for some help/ advice on something I’m not really to sure about

my little boy has started a childminders from next week 30 hours funded but is also doing full days so I’m paying for the extra hours he will be there ( hope that makes sense)

I have been charged a consumables amount which is a very, very high amount which I had no clue was going to be added onto my invoice

I have no clue if this is ok? Do the hours extra I’m paying not just make up the loss in earning for the childminder

just looking for advice if anyone can offer it please

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Blondierama · 04/09/2023 22:12

Just to add, I’m very open and honest with parents and explain everything fully.

Blondierama · 04/09/2023 22:10

I ask for £2.50 an hour to cover the deficit. I’m a very small setting and, once expenses have been taken, I would barely make minimum wage. I love my job, I love spending time with the children and helping them grow but with the way things are going I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to stay open.

Original poster
Bc102 · 04/09/2023 20:30

@Blondierama

Thank you for your reply can I ask how much u charge for your consumables if you don’t mind answering fully understand if you don’t want to share

I’ve asked them but waiting for a reply back that’s why I just wanted to check here I’m just sad that I wasn’t made aware of it as my financial situation is a struggle already and could of looked into different options x

OP posts:
jallopeno · 04/09/2023 20:13

It's completely normal. It's "funded hours" and is no where near enough funding

Shinyandnew1 · 04/09/2023 20:09

It’s ‘partially funded’ hours. Childminders and nurseries are closing left, right and centre around here because they simply can’t make ends meet.

Blondierama · 04/09/2023 20:05

I get paid £2.50 less than my usual hourly rate so I have to make that up somewhere. Parents pay the hours that aren’t funded but also pay a consumable contribution for the funded hours. The whole thing is a farce and what’s really annoying is we have to put in extra work to even be able to claim the funding.

ask your childminder to explain what the charges are. I speak to parents in advance and explain the situation fully.

Sadly, if parents don’t contribute to the underfunding I wouldn’t be able to carry on being a childminder.

ShirleyPhallus · 04/09/2023 18:55

The “free hours” term is a bit of a swizz, it’s actually funded hours and isn’t as much as you think it will be

the child care providers basically get paid a very small amount by the govt, so they make up for it in a number of ways. It can be consumables, but also things like applying the funded hours for a core time in the day (so you have to pay before and after), or applying the funded hours during term time only so you still have to make up the difference in holidays

the childcare providers don’t benefit from it, but as parents it definitely doesn’t feel such a good deal as you’d be led to believe!

Original poster
Bc102 · 04/09/2023 18:27

Sorry i forgot to add I understand a consumables charge can be put on I just want to no if my situation is right x

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread