To think that my childminder shouldn't charge me for activities?

[Falcon1]

I already pay £7 per hour per child (2). On top of that I have to provide nappies and wipes, then I'm charged for any activity she takes the kids to. I can appreciate that if it's something expensive like soft play , then I should contribute, but surely playgroups should be included in the hourly rate? Particularly as it is her choice to take the kids to them. It's not a lot of money but it all adds up.

£7 per hour, per child is cheap round here.

and surely this was all agreed (in a contract) beforehand???

Local average rate for here is £4.50! Includes activities!

Does your contract specify what activities and that she will charge you? I don't think she should have to,cover the expense, but if she's taking them to expensive activities for her own convenience against your wishes then it's a bit different. Tricky.

Was it agreed beforehand?

7per hour! We pay 4.50 which is standard here and it includes playgroup, any additional trips are pre arranged and approved. we did say no yo one as it was expensive, and I would rather take them myself and enjoy it. The childminder just arranged to go a different day

Is she just taking them with no prior discussion and expecting you to pay? Or is it agreed in advance with you having the option to say no?

I don't think she should charge at all for events. Anyone can decide to do lots of things with the child if someone else is paying! She's getting £14 per hour and there are plenty of free things to do.

£7 an hour is cheap? I pay £3.50 an hour per child - in the holidays it's £33 a day which is 8-6 and includes three meals plus snacks.

OP if I was paying £14 an hour for childcare, i'd be looking at a nanny not a CM. Not that that would help you with paying for play groups, but still.

A 'big day out' to the zoo, or a one off more expensive activity, fair enough. But I would get pissed off being asked for a few quid here and there all the time for standard play groups - there are plenty of free things you can do.

My cm rates were all in, no extra costs.

£7 per hour, per child is cheap round here

Whats that got to do with the question!
Its the going rate where i live but yhst doesnt answer anything!

Wasnt this discussed when you signed the contract?

Hmmm I'm a childminder and my hourly rate is £4 but that is my wage tbh. I do most of the time pass on toddler group fees onto the parents as I would have to pay 3/4 lots of money and it all adds up. You will only have to pay for your own child? If you dont like your childminder taking your kids out maybe you need to have a chat with her or look around and see if you can get a better deal elsewhere. Or nurseries dont tend to take kiddies out a lot but might work out way more exp in the long run? Do some sums and see what would work out better.

I suppose it depends on how much the playgroup is and also whether she told you prior to you using her services that she does this regularly, thus adding to your costs. Childminders usually all meet at playgroups for a natter, so if she has other children to look after as well as yours who go to playgroup regularly then she will probably need to take yours along too and should have informed you if this. My childminder never charged me for extra activities.

Local average rate for here is £4.50! Includes activities!

Oops. Same comment twice

And people cant say £7 per hour is expensive and should include trips if that's the going rate in their area, it varies so much. My DH was a childminder and the average in our town is £3.50 an hour. Now someone charging £7 would be expensive here!

some will think you shouldn't pay some will think you should, none of that matters, what matters is what is in your contract.
It should all be there literally spelt out.

Yes, but the childminder shouldn't be doing trips that cost money. Surely that's up to the parents, if they want to do it. If someone's paying £14 per hour for childcare it's very unfair to say, "Oh and we're going on a trip, so that'll cost you more."

Hi op I was a cm.

All activities are expenses and so charged back against tax. Is she ofsted registered?

All my activities were included i.e. Soft play etc.

I dreamed of £7 per hour..

You have to understand though that cms run their own business how they choose and it's up to you to read the contract and agree terms before sighning.

Our childminder used to just write it all off against her tax! Is this CM Ofsted registered?

I'd be asking for copies of the receipts to make sure she can't claim for it...otherwise she's getting paid twice.

Not normal in our world OP.

If someone's paying £14 per hour for childcare it's very unfair to say, "Oh and we're going on a trip, so that'll cost you more.

What OP is paying for child care is irrelevant, so if trips are arranged then its not unfair for parents to pay for them as this will or at least should have been discussed before the contract is signed.

In your position I would look for a nursery where all education/ entertainment and meals are included. Legally she cannot have your child doing nothing but watch CBeebies. She is supposed to provide education with her standard fees.

I think it depends on what you agreed to before starting - childminders can set their own terms.

Personally, I would not have used a childminder who charged extras, I just wanted to know the total hourly rate.

"Yes, but the childminder shouldn't be doing trips that cost money. Surely that's up to the parents, if they want to do it."

No, it's up to the childminder. It's his/her business, his/her service and more than one set of parents are involved. If the parents aren't happy, then they choose a different provider.