Childminder costs for siblings?

[PrincessScrumpy]

Just wondering what the standard deal is for siblings - I'm expecting twins (clearly only planned one more child and so it's a bit of a lovely shock). Currently dd1 costs 60% of my salary each month (not entitled to tax credits but not super wealthy and all dh's money goes on bills - live in 3 bed terrace not a mansion).

Anyway, dd1 will start school when I am due to return to work so will have 2 in childcare. I have loved dd's cm but clearly 2 x normal rate will be more than I earn so pointless.

Do cms tend to do special rates for siblings? At a bit of a loss how we'll afford anything at the moment if I can't afford to work.

You will get a mix of responses as each childminder does what they like. Some may give a discount for twins, others will not.

They are taking up two childcare places, they need two seats in a car, two highchairs, they cost two times the entry fee for per-child priced activities etc. Eggs in basket also comes to mind - if you leave, it's a loss of two childcare places, not just one.

If they will be going into childcare under age 1, then a childminder may need a variation from the regulator to permit them to care for two under 1's.

Would your DD1 not also be added into the mix? Children are not at school that many hours, they also have inset days (days off school due to teacher training), school holidays and misc days off (such as a little bit of snow in the school playground).

Some do ... I don't. Sorry but a space is a space and siblings are more of a business risk (if they leave) than children from separate families.

Congratulations though.

I work in a school so dd will be with me when not in school.

I would hope CM sees me as a reliable person as she's had dd since she was 13 months old. dts would be 12 months when they start. She has 2 cots, child seats etc as she has dd and did have another baby.

Maybe I'll be a cm for one child when they're a year old. I did the course 2 years ago.

Same school, different school? Same hours of work? Same days off? If you are a member of teaching staff, then there will be days when you are in school and your DD would not be in school. If admin staff then there still could be days when you are in school and your DD is not.

Car seats expire, things get replaced, CM may be caring for a number of other children at the point you want your DTs to join them. All sorts of factors need to be taken into account, so each childminder will need to decide for themselves if they will offer a place for twins and if that is at 2xfee or at a different price.

Sounds like you may be wanting Term Time only (TTO). That may suit some CMs but won't suit others. TTO may come at a premium, or have retainer fees during holiday periods.

Given you currently have a CM, ask them what they would charge you.

If I was a CM (which I'm not) I would give you a little bit of discount for twins, simply because it's only one set of parents to deal with, same holidays etc and as you have been using her for a long time you obviously get on well. However, I'm not sure the amount of discount I would be prepared to give would make enough difference to whether it was economical for you to work or not....

Hello, i am a childminder who does a £1 per hour discount for siblings,not much but it all helps! also i have done term time at the same rates without charging a retainer really because i have my own two boys and appreciate LESS minded children during the holidays and budget for it,so what i am saying is that it is possible so may be worth looking around...maybe finding a newly registered minding wanting to ease her way into it???

I am happy to do TTO contracts, but at a higher rate than all year round, but I don't charge a retainer for holidays. I don't do sibling discounts however as there are the same costs for both, including paperwork as each child would have separate contract, permission forms, learning journal records etc. They would also each deserve the same dedication and care from me. I remember someone once saying on this subject that they don't give sibling discounts and explained this to the parents by saying 'if I gave you a discount which child would you like me to give the lesser (ie discounted) care to?' Obviously in practice you wouldn't give one child less than the other but you get the idea.

I wouldn't vbe able to offer a discount as quite simply there is still the same amount of work and paperwork involved, as well as the same amount of costs, i.e food, outings, soft play etc so i would probably end up doiing myself out of money to offer you a discount. So a no from me.

I would charge you full price for each space..

couldnt afford to do sibling discounts as would be out of pocket.

not sure many cms could afford to either..

I have siblings who only come to me afterschool, 2hrs 4 times a week, they are TTO, but do give care if parents unable to get time off work.
I charge the full amount per child. £4ph.