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Original poster

Childminder petrol

72 replies

Myusername2015 · 24/02/2023 14:38

Hi all; my childminder has been collecting and dropping my 5 year old son home from childcare this week while I’ve sustained an injury. We are 3 miles apart. I told her I’d contribute towards her petrol. It’s country driving around 5 minutes drive…I should have clarified exact costs but what do you think a sensible fuel contribution would be?

OP posts:
BernadetteIsMySister · 24/02/2023 14:44

12 miles per day x 45p = 5.40

X 5 days

Totals £27.00

Original poster
Myusername2015 · 24/02/2023 15:35

Hi; that’s what I thought but she’s charged £120 🙁 (£20 per day 12 miles round trip in total)

OP posts:
Antsinmypantsneedtodance · 24/02/2023 15:39

I'd say probably £60ish for fuel and time. Maybe a bit more depending on how long time wise the drive is.

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TyneTeas · 24/02/2023 15:41

45p per mile plus her time at her usual hourly rate there and back both ways

JennyDarlingRIP · 24/02/2023 15:44

I probably would've given £50-£75, £10-£15 a day for petrol but also doing me a favour while injured. £120 seems extortionate

Gwen82 · 24/02/2023 15:50

If you were prepared to contribute X then that is what you should have said from the outset

a 5 year Rel. Is this the first time you have disagreed over money?

Gwen82 · 24/02/2023 15:50

Myusername2015 · 24/02/2023 15:35

Hi; that’s what I thought but she’s charged £120 🙁 (£20 per day 12 miles round trip in total)

How many journeys?

at rush hour?

Gwen82 · 24/02/2023 15:53

4 journeys A day
Pick up and drop back

with other charges in tow?

yes I’d think £20 was reasonable for the number of journeys

SnappyTheCrocodile · 24/02/2023 15:56

2x(5 mins drive each way, plus 10 mins waiting around/collecting DC/checking they have all their things) = 40 mins minimum but could be more with parking, traffic etc. I guess?

40x6=240 mins =4hours
Assume £10-15ph if she is only having DC at this time (so more like a nanny than CM?)
4 x 15 = 60

At most £35 for fuel? (Diesel/inefficient car?)

I’m trying to make it £120 but I’m not sure I can get there.. have you asked her for a breakdown of costs?

SouthernDrawl · 24/02/2023 15:56

4 separate journeys each day, that’s quite a lot of extra hassle for a childminder, it’s not just petrol, it’s limited her week quite a bit I’d imagine.

Badbudgeter · 24/02/2023 15:57

How long is the drive. Honestly I think you should think of the money you have saved in taxis. She could of said no. You’d of had to pay for the place. I think if she charged £10 a day you might of had her keep doing it as it’s massively convenient.

MelchiorsMistress · 24/02/2023 15:58

Surely she’s charging you for the extra time and not just petrol?

fruitbrewhaha · 24/02/2023 15:59

So she is charging a taxi rate. However taxi drivers have huge amounts of overheads including licencing and high insurance costs.

If it’s country driving I’m guessing it’s more than 5 mins driving. I love in a village and the next village which is 2 miles takes at least 8 mins. Driving the opposite direction into town along one road is also more than 5 minutes. So I suspect it’s more like 10 minutes plus 5 minutes to get in a car seat etc. therefore realistically you are talking 25/30 minutes of her time. Normally a cm charges £x per child
but will have say 4 children at one time so if she charges £7 ph she is on £28 ph. So £14 x 5 =£70 plus £27 for the car. So £100 is nearer the mark.

Chowtime · 24/02/2023 16:00

Honestly, 50 pence a mile would cover her vehicle costs. So £30 for petrol.

However, did you agree to pay her for her driving time too? Is that what the difference is?

Gwen82 · 24/02/2023 16:01

A taxi rate?? £20 a day for 4 journeys a day.

presumably this CM has other charges that she’s bringing along or rescheduling

seems reasonable to me and a taxi would
be
more than this, especially if at rush hour

Gwen82 · 24/02/2023 16:04

3 miles in 5 mins on country roads

Id be worried if that was the case Op

amiold · 24/02/2023 16:10

"Hiya can you itemise the bill please? I had budgeted based on the government mileage rate not taxi rates"

Gwen82 · 24/02/2023 16:10

amiold · 24/02/2023 16:10

"Hiya can you itemise the bill please? I had budgeted based on the government mileage rate not taxi rates"

5 year relationship with this CM looking after her child.

Ok

amiold · 24/02/2023 16:12

@Gwen82 don't get what your point is?

TyneTeas · 24/02/2023 16:12

There's also the time at yours for pick up and drop off, not just time in car plus mileage rate

£20 a day doesn't sound that unreasonable to me

fruitbrewhaha · 24/02/2023 16:14

4 journeys a day! I had misread and thought it was only dropping off home.

In that case I think it’s not a bad price.

Viviennemary · 24/02/2023 16:15

I think £120 is extortionate. £50 at the very most and even thats quite dear.

fruitbrewhaha · 24/02/2023 16:15

You can’t expect her to do it as a favour and a bit a petrol money. It’s her job and business and she needs to be paid to going above and beyond your normal term with her.

Gwen82 · 24/02/2023 16:15

amiold · 24/02/2023 16:12

@Gwen82 don't get what your point is?

I’m not surprised

amiold · 24/02/2023 16:16

Is this £120 plus her time or including her time?
Surely op isn't just wanting to pay petrol and not for her time?