How can I tell my childminder I do not need her anymore?

[eastnorth]

Have started to use a nanny one day a week. My son has a childminder who he has had since he was five months old who I adore and is like a friend. Thing is the nanny wants her days. Even though I am happy with the childminder I would prefer to use the nanny four days a week. The childminder needs the money and cannot fill another space that she has, I feel so guilty how can I let her down gently.

Well done for having done it. It's never easy.
And your 'severance' pay really was very generous . I hope you can remain on friendly terms (I don't really see why not).

Well, that's one horrible job done! There's no reason not to remain friends and if she gets funny about it, then she isn't the friend you thought she was. Friends want the best for their friends :) I hope she can fill the places quickly too, but you have done more than enough, so don't stress about it.