Is this arrangement fair?

[BaileyMyDog]

So my DS used to be with a childminder 9-3pm daily. Since pre-school started in Sep he goes there 9-12 and the CM picks him up and keeps him 12-3 I.e 15 hours per week each. So as we get 30 hours free childcare you would assume I wouldn't have to pay childcare right?

Wrong.

The CM gets her 15 hours from the government but is still charging us 15hours. Her explanation is that my DS is blocking another child from all day care hence the cost. I accepted this.

My AIBU is more the holidays.

If she goes on holiday (or we do) she still charges us half the full daily rate, which is annoying me as my DS will never be there during school holidays (due to his older bro.) Bank holidays also mean we pay her for a full day

Is this normal? She is getting paid the same but doing half the work. AIBU?

Admittedly I don't have experience with this personally as I've only ever dealt with nursery and not an individual childminder but that sounds wrong to me! Massively wrong!

What's in the contract you signed ?

My childminder didn't charge when she was on holidays but I paid a full day even though he was in nursery for 3 hours

Not sure about the holidays but I had to pay the full day even though he was in nursery for half of the day.

Is pre-school only available until 12? If not then I'd move him to pre-school 9-3.

With her having to pick him up at 12 it does rather block the whole day off as no-one will require childcare until 11:30 only so she is not being unreasonable to charge for the full day. Holidays and bank holidays seem to vary but those who don't charge tend to charge slightly more on other days than those who do in order to make up the difference.

Why don't you cancel the childminder and keep him in preschool until 3?

I'm reading this that his pre-school only offers half days. I'd be tempted to look around and ask the other parents what they do and see if you can get a part-time child minder.

In terms of the holidays I'm not sure what you mean but am reading it that he'll be with you and his brother or in yet more paid for care.

A lot of children at my daughters nursing were term time and part-time because they offered flexible places because of funding. They also offered school holidays though for school aged so would potentially be able to provide continuity.

It's a lot of money to pay out for nothing so if you think your son could adapt to another change I'd be very tempted.

Thanks for your replies. Yes, school only offers 9-12pm. Childminder is great, and he's been with her since 10months so would not like to change before he starts reception.

I guess I'll have to suck it up ☹️