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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think £5 an hour for a childminder in the suburbs is a bit steep?

232 replies

HidinginaHardHat · 26/06/2011 18:22

We were interviewing several childminders today and the average price was around £5 per hour, i'm more used to paying around £3 an hour.

I appreciate they have to earn a living like the rest of us but when their hourly rate is nearly the same as mine is that really fair?

I probably am BU really aren't I.

OP posts:
Littlepurpleprincess · 26/06/2011 20:08

There shouldn't be any 'hidden' fees because they should all be in the contract that you have signed (so presumably read), If it's not in the contract, you don't have to pay it. I would never do that to parents.

Outings/food costs are included in my hourly rate because it's fairer and simpler. Some childminders charge extra for outings and food and some ask parents to provide food.

MavisEnderby · 26/06/2011 20:09

£5 ph here (oop north)

Well worth it tbh.She is lovely :) and understands dd's little sn foibles!!

Original poster
HidinginaHardHat · 26/06/2011 20:10

Maybe i'm just crap at standing up to childminders then. I was made to feel i HAD to pay these 'hidden' charges because she'd give notice if I didn't. Suffice to say DC are now in alternate provision until the new school year (when it's all change with schools etc!)

OP posts:
fedupofnamechanging · 26/06/2011 20:12

Must admit that when I was a CM, I only wanted to work term time. I looked after the children of a teacher so she only wanted term time care. Because this suited us both, I didn't charge retainers or fees during holidays as I felt it would be dishonest to take money for a service I didn't intend to provide.

I didn't supply nappies or baby food, but once the children were eating normal food, I fed them the same as my DC and didn't charge for it. I also covered playgroups, but these were quite cheap where I was living, so only a couple of pounds per week. I treated the mindees exactly the same way as my own children, so would buy little treats when we went out.

Thinking about it, this might be why I didn't make much money...

Littlepurpleprincess · 26/06/2011 20:13

I wouldn't say you were crap at all. You shouldn't have to stand up to her, you are supposed to work together. Sounds like you've had a lucky escape to be rid of that one!

MavisEnderby · 26/06/2011 20:15

Additionally I wouldn't expect cm to fork out for food,trips out etc.£5 ph is peanuts really....I take dds breakfast and snacks,nappies,and if she were having her for a full day and taking her out I would contribute to petrol etc.

RitaMorgan · 26/06/2011 20:16

£4-£5 an hour is normal where I am. My ds's nursery is £4.90.

If you don't like it you can always look elsewhere.

altinkum · 26/06/2011 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

goinnowhere · 26/06/2011 20:19

I do realise all those things. It's just that a side result of schools is incredibly cheap childcare and people don't want to pay for that either. I think this thread highlights just how poorly many of the people who look after and educate our children are viewed by so many.

scarlettsmummy2 · 26/06/2011 20:21

My childminder charges £3.50 per hour and she always has the maximum number of children she can have. I give her a little bit more and provide all food and nappies etc. I think she is easily earning more than £1500 a month and bearing in mind she has no childcare costs of her own to pay and all the children are picked up by 5 and she doesn't work a friday, I don't think thats too bad.

Reality · 26/06/2011 20:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

chabbychic · 26/06/2011 20:23

Am annoyed at this thread but just want to say one thing. We are self-employed. We can charge what we like. I could charge £15 an hour if I wanted to. It's my choice. If you don't like it, lump it.

ilovedora27 · 26/06/2011 20:23

1500 a month? God thats a lot of money. I really wish I had the room so I could be a childminder.

SlackSally · 26/06/2011 20:26

Karma, surely childminders don't do the same level of out-of-hours work as teachers? If you insist, I guess I'll have to accept it, since you've done both, but I find that VERY hard to believe.

scarlettsmummy2 · 26/06/2011 20:26

just to really put the cat among the pigeons- I get paid £180 a week to foster, and that is twenty four hours a day, seven days a week which works out at £1.07 per hour. I also have to attend regular meetings and take my foster son to contact once a week which I don't get paid anything extra for.

goinnowhere · 26/06/2011 20:28

I think more than many jobs it varies hugely, depending on "your" parents. I use a CM and I do give her sick pay, holiday pay, and if she has to finish a bit early, or has needed the odd day off, I pay her still. I also pick up about 40 mins early every day, and don't dock the money. I do this as she does not charge me as a much as she could, and we are both happy with the arrangement. I expect some parents are an absolute nightmare.

AnnieLobeseder · 26/06/2011 20:28

Why on earth do threads about the cost of childcare always lead to posts from people saying that you obviously don't value your child if you aren't prepared to pay as much as possible for someone to look after them?

FFS, it's simple maths. If your childminder is asking for the same or more than you earn per hour, you're not going to make any money. And one of the main points of working is to earn money. You know, for rent and bills and clothes and food and those other things that children need.

And a childminder, while not about to become a millionaire overnight from their job, will be earning more that £3 per hour, because they look after more than one child at a time. More simple maths.

Rolls eyes.....

If any of you think that childcare providers are getting a lousy deal, take it up with a government which refuses to help any parents but the very poorest with the high costs of childcare. Yes, childcare providers do an amazing and important job and should get paid accordingly. But working parents are already paying out way more than they can afford.

scarlettsmummy2 · 26/06/2011 20:29

ilovedora- i should also say that my childminder is absolutely fantastic, hence the reason she has no problem fulling her places. Her house is always bursting with happy children but she seems to thrive on this. She also takes a rainbow pack on a voluntary basis once a week so I think she just loves kids!!

MavisEnderby · 26/06/2011 20:29

Actually not all CMs earn nearly that much!!!My CM is an older lady,divorcee,hubby left 2 years ago,so she is a fellow LP.she has 2 (very nice) teens.dd is currently her only mindee and attends 8 hrs a week (she has just restarted CM).She is looking for additional jobs to fit round school hours.If I had the money I would gladly pay her more as she is very caring and conscientious.

altinkum · 26/06/2011 20:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 26/06/2011 20:31

Have you actually read the thread? Doesn't sound like it...

GwendolineMaryLacey · 26/06/2011 20:32

That was to AnnieLobeseder

ilovedora27 · 26/06/2011 20:32

Yeah I work in a nursery and I love it. I have a 2:1 degree in it as well but we only get 6 pound an hour and it is dealing with children who have been through abuse, serious anger issues etc. Its a hard job and I love it but it is definitely hard and paid a lot less than most childminders. Same as your foster care. I do think it should be more valued.

Laquitar · 26/06/2011 20:35

How difficult is to understand that there is difference between being employed and being SE?
Honestly, 100s threads with the same silly posts about MW and nanny/nursery nurse wage V CM earnings. Cant a grown up with children get the difference?

Ever heard of tax and NI?
'Dry periods* when bussiness is not good?
Unpaid holidays/sick?

A SE person calculates her earnings yearly not hourly.

I'm not even CM Grin

MavisEnderby · 26/06/2011 20:35

I think childcare,generally be it CM or nursery nurses should be given greater value,tbh.I have had dcs in both nurseries and CM and really good experience of both.What they earn is a pittance,but I would guess mainly due to them being predominantly female jobs as a rule (feels a feminist thread coming on!)