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Paid childcare

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

Original poster

Is the current economic climate affecting childminders?

35 replies

KatyMac · 28/07/2008 20:58

For better or for worse?

Does it depend upon area?

I have less children than I have ever had.....even less tan my first year

So am I doing something wrong?
Or is it a result of the economic climate?

Any thoughts?

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Original poster
KatyMac · 04/08/2008 16:32

It is the unpredictabilness of it all

OP posts:
KaySamuels · 04/08/2008 09:17

My last 3 mindees (all under 5s), have all left due to financial reasons.
I charge £2.50 an hour, it is very worrying yes.

wheeler · 03/08/2008 21:41

i'm a mum looking for childcare at the moment in london - of the 3 CMs i saw last week, 2 had vacancies b/c they had recently lost mindees b/c a parent had been made redundant. sad for all concerned...

Original poster
KatyMac · 03/08/2008 21:01

I am very worried bout it all

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PinkChick · 01/08/2008 09:18

i had a mindee give notice yesterday, never mind the excellent care and attention i give, families are leaving to go to an after school club with an awful reputation b'cos its a few quid cheaper than me..i know money is tight for most, but surely your child is most important..this is the second thats done this mow(first wen to to diff place)

JenniPenni · 01/08/2008 02:28

I am in Greater London, average £60 per day... very busy!

hennipenni · 31/07/2008 20:21

I have found the economic climate has definatly affected my business. I can't compete with the primary schools before and after school clubs as they are cheaper than I am (and I'm not expensive at £2.85 per hour). One set of parents are being made redundant so will possibly be losing that child. Another set of parents can't afford to have any more children as they don't get any help with childcare costs- I lose that child in Jan. My third child is the last child in that family and will be leaving me to start school in Sept.

I have another child on a short term contract who will be leaving in Sept as well.
There are lots of CMs around me and calls for enquiries are very thin on the ground.

TheFallenMadonna · 31/07/2008 16:49

On the other hand, I am returning to work full time instead of part time as I planned. BUT - no before/after school vacancies with CMs in my area, so am going for school clubs.

paddlinglikemad · 31/07/2008 16:45

I'm a parent who has lost my part time family friendly job due to the 'credit crunch' as it was in sales..therefore had to give my CM notice as another of her mindees parents have for same reason and she has now decided to pack up as has not got enough to tide her over Summer Holidays, lost business due to new After School/Breakfast Club (cheaper childcare)starting at school in September too, round here (Cheshire) seems its a combination of redundancies in the big sales/call centre type businesses which then impacts on CM's ...there was no way we could have carried on paying her whilst I jobhunted....

Original poster
KatyMac · 29/07/2008 21:48

Thanks guys

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KaySamuels · 29/07/2008 19:17

I think it is in that people are desperately trying to cut their outgoings, and IME (esp in my area), childcare bills get cut before other 'optional extra/lifestyle' bills. For example by relying on friends, other parents at school, relatives, or NON REGISTERED child care.

Hope business picks up for you soon katymac.

dmo · 29/07/2008 16:54

front page news today they are closing schools near me as there are over 2000 places not being used it must be a low birth rate the last yr or so

Fadge · 29/07/2008 16:17

Very quiet on the enquiry front but that could jsut be one of those phases anyway?

littlestarschildminding · 29/07/2008 07:55

Fishie, if you are in London you are getting a great deal. I charge £60 per day inc meals and thats normal around here.

LS

Sorry for hijack Katy

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/07/2008 22:20

You can ask but don't be surprised if she says no

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fishie · 28/07/2008 22:14

it currently averages 167.50 a week (av 4.5days) with 2.5 days unfed, will be going to 179 and i am proposing she does all fed.

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/07/2008 21:54

Thanks BALD - I will get there - other people jobs depend upon me

I may go & get a Tescos job

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Original poster
KatyMac · 28/07/2008 21:54

So you will pay 42.50 for all three days?

Instead of 37.50 for 1 & 42.50 for 2 ?

Or have I misunderstood?

OP posts:
fishie · 28/07/2008 21:49

thank you katymac, sorry to hijack your thread but would like to ask you and other cms...

i am hoping to negotiate that if we pay the extra she will do the other two (three) days till 6.15 + grub as well, do you think that is taking piss? it actually causes probs for her when ds goes at 5.30 because she has to feed the others (older) then in order to get them out so she is seeing ds off, serving up etc.

BoysAreLikeDogs · 28/07/2008 21:43

Critique is correct

have emailed you, Katy

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/07/2008 21:42

I think you're not doing too badly tbh

I am in rural Norfolk & I would charge £40 for that

The rise takes it above what I charge but I'm not in London but I agree it's a lot in one jump

OP posts:
fishie · 28/07/2008 21:38

currently £35 a day without evening meal, £40 with (inc 45mins later stay)
8.30-5.30 or 6.15, every other friday off. ds is 3.3 so not at school for another year.
london (of course)

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/07/2008 21:37

Thanks Jimjams - I will see if I can find a child development centre

I have found a tentative contact with the SS children with disabilities team - which I am following up atm

Thanks BALD - is it spelt 'critique'?

OP posts:
BoysAreLikeDogs · 28/07/2008 21:31

Got email, will have a squizz

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 28/07/2008 21:31

katymac I know you think your local area needs you to register as a foster carer to look after kids with special needs but you really don't if the parents are paying you with direct payments. (It's nothing to do with social services then- the parents can employ who they like). I'd put some adverts up in the local child development centre. Once word gets out that you take children with SN you will be overrun. I get direct payments and my biggest problem is finding someone willling to take ds1. Even before getting direct payments that was a my biggest problem.