To spend £3 per meal per child?

[VaseofRoses]

My mum (an ex-nanny) is going to look after my 2 year old and my friend's 5 year old every Friday. This is obviously really nice of her and although she is insisting on not taking payment I want to make sure she is not out of pocket for meals. I have no idea what is fair but want to offer something and ask my friend for something too. I was thinking £3 per meal. This is in London and will be nice food.

Would like to canvas opinion! Can I ask, how much do you think you spend on food per meal for a child?

With a drink? At least £6 per child.

Sounds on the low side to me to be honest. Will she cook at home or will she sometimes take them out? As soon as she takes them anywhere it'll be more than £3.

£3 sounds a bit skimpy really. £5 each seems fairer. Depends where you are though I suppose.

£5 each is still the cheapest childcare ever.

And now I'm thinking about snacks too....

Are you asking how much I spend on a meal cooked at home (£3 is plenty) or to take them out somewhere (£3 is nowhere near enough).

Would your mum have to register as a childminder if there is money involved as one of the children she is looking after is not her grandchild?

Out? Surely you can't eat out in London and have nice food for £3. If it's in her house I would say it's fine. Though I think I'd rather give her £5 a time.

Cooked at home, with drinks and snacks £3 should be fine. Out and it isn't nearly enough.

No way £3 for a nice kids meal in most places, let alone big cities. I would give her £20 if you are genuinely wanting to cover it all, drinks etc of £10 if you are thinking more token gesture.

Cooked at home, £3 is fine. I would prob give her £10 to cover both.

Do you mean she is taking them or every Friday?

Taking them out every Friday

But they won't be eating out, will they?

I am assuming they will be eating in. I would say £10 per week for all food including snacks would be fair.

How about leaving her with an envelope of cash which you keep topped up. If they are eating out, she can pay out of that (whatever it costs). You could agree on an amount if she caters (£3 per child sounds good. That should cover a small cooked dinner, yoghurt, piece of fruit, snacks)

Too little, even if cooked at home.

If it's just lunch a cheese and tomato sandwich and a yoghurt and banana or Apple would be about £3 if at home.

I don't think your Mum should be looking after somebody else's child free on a regular basis. It 's taking advantage really. So the cost of the meal is neither here nor there IMHO.

For a made at home lunch with nice food I'd offer a minimum of £6.

That's per child btw, so £12 for both but I'd round up to £15.

Seriously? £3 per meal home cooked is loads! And I worship at the altar of the Ginger Pig and Ocado.

Obviously it's nothing if you mean eating out. Although I can get fish and chips for 2 3yo for a fiver including a glass of milk and ice cream.

I'd be giving her a £10 per child "kitty" every week to cover food, softplay entrance etc.

Why don't you and your friend just make a packed lunch for each child? I think if she is taking them out then you should cover her meal too tbh. Just a little thank you for having them both.

You CAN make a kid's meal for £3 but with basic ingredients and no room for treats or shortcuts. Do you really want your DM to scrimp and save to stick to a budget when she's already offering you and another mother free childcare???

I'd say £5 per day minimum including snacks and adjust if necessary.

I think £3 for home cooked meal would be fine, but theres snacks to, sometimes lunch/snack out I would guess. If she is looking after them for free then I agree with Jesabel a kitty per child per week would be a great idea. Gives your Mum the freedom to spend it on whatever she feels they need.

What is this supposed to cover? Your mum's food as well or just that of the children? Just the food element or elec/gas too? Will your friend's child be having lunch at school?
I wouldn't expect to spend £15 on food for a 5yo. Just thinking it through (based on what 6yo DD will be eating tomorrow)

Drinks
1 pint milk (during course of day) - 25p
Water - free

Breakfast
2 X weetabix - 25p
Banana - 20p

Lunch
Cheese & tomato sandwich - 60p
Apple - 20p
Yogurt - 40p
Chopped carrot, cucumber, pepper - 40p

Tea
Chicken casserole with peas & rice - £1.50
Kiwi & strawberries - 75p

Snacks
Hot cross bun - 40p
Pasta pesto - 50p
Satsuma - 30th

So about £5.50 all in and that is with an extra mini meal of pasta pesto as DD has sport after school on a Monday.