Cost of childminder

[MrsNOC]

Hi, currently our toddler is with a childminder 2 days per week @£40 per day (SE London). Has been there since she was a baby. In January she will go to pre-school, how much would be expect to pay from 12 - 5 pm?

Also, from April our baby will also go and it'll be 4 days per week with the toddler at pre-school (3 hrs) everyday. What is a reasonable daily rate for both?

Thank you!

You need to ask your CM. We are all different. I would charge a full fee for both children i'm afraid, because i would still be available while the older child is at pre school. Would you want the CM to have your older child all day in the holidays?

Usually you will pay when your eldest is at pre school.

I have this in my handbook to explain:

UNDER 5?S IN OTHER SETTINGS

A child is counted as an under 5 by Ofsted until they are in full time education i.e. at school for 10 sessions a week.

A child who is at pre school is a under 5 and if they are with a childminder before and after pre school, and require a fulltime space during the holidays they therefore are taking a childminders full time space. As such you are required to pay full fee for the time that they are at preschool, as the childminder cannot then fill the part time that they are at pre school.

When your younger child starts, your CM may give a sibling discount (I dont, you are still taking up a full space) but it very much depends on the CM and how she runs her business.

Same here, would expect to be paid for the whole day still.