finding a childminder/nursery

[monstrousmummy]

hi all,

I am investigating costs of childminder etc etc against nursery.....

Waht should I expect to pay for a 1/2 day for a 2 year old?? And will it be easy/hard to find a two/morning and one full day place??

(all this is in the northeast btw!)

I don't know what the hourly rates are in your area, I'm in the south east (West Sussex) so would be very different to you. As a childminder it would depend on what vacancies I have as to whether I charge for half days or full days on the morning sessions. You might find that a childminder will do a fixed minimum fee to cover the possibility of not filling those afternoon spaces. With regards to nurseries, around here you can do half day sessions, but they tend to work out more expensive pro rata than a childminder's hourly rate.

Please remember that you can claim up to 70% back from the goverment through tax credits should you be earning less than i think 52K per annum.

If minders have the space, then I think they would consider it. If a minder has a full-time vacancy, then it may be that they prefer to have someone who can do more hours/days.

I'm not in your area, so no idea of what charges you'd pay.