Reasonalbe rate for childminding

[Mammahippo]

Hello, just wondering if someone can advise me what the generally accepted rate is for childminders in London. My DS will be 1 when I hand him over. I've encountered a wide variety of prices mixed in with differing qualifications / expereince / will &won't dos. I'm a bit flumoxed about what is 'normal'...Help!

In London rates seem to vary quite a bit from area to area from what I have seen posted on here, on NetMums and on childcare listings sites.

Have you obtained a list of Registered Childminders from your local council? The council may be able to tell you the average rate in your area.

Each childminder runs their own business, so will charge differently. The advertised rate may not be the total cost involved... as some childminders will include things, and exclude things. Lunch for example. Some will provide nappies in the price, others won't. As you say, childminder's vary in the will & won't dos. Keep in mind that they provide a service and you are the service user... so if you don't like the look of a particular service, you can choose a different one. Each childminder will be different... so visit a few in your local area and get a feel for what each one provides and the total cost for what you are wanting.

Rates really seem to vary a lot from area to area and even within the same area. £4-£11 per hour is a big range.

Could you be more specific about where in London you live? Maybe there are some local childminders posting on here who can give you local information about rates.

Thanks Nannynick, I'm looking in the Hackney/Islington area. I've looked at the list of registered childminders and contacted a number of them, which is partly where I've found the variation in prices. It seems as if I'm going to have a make a spreadsheet and work out costs - back to work sooner than I thought!!

Good childminders I've encountered in London charge between £50 and £65 per day, depending on what's included. I'm in Oxford and charge £50 per day (I don't do hours but if I did it would be £5.80).

I found that with childminders it was best to start from a position of 'availability' eg. are they likely to have the days/times you want? If they don't have availability then there is little point taking it further.

I have done this via text eg. send out a text message to a load of CM on the list, then see what comes back.

At that point, then have a phone calll and look more closely.

Also recommendations are key! At this point the best thing you can be doing is asking every single person you know or meet! :)

As said, it varies. I am in SW London and charge £65 which is all inclusive... and am aware of what locals charge... am middle range.

I'm in Richmond and pay £67 per day. I have to provide nappies and wipes but cm provides food/milk activities including kew gardens. I found cm in this area range from 65-80 per day. She also takes 5 weeks off per year but doesn't charge me for her time off. At the end of the day though i isn't worry about £10 difference between childminders but hose the person I felt (and dd felt) most confortable with...

Aggh
*didnt worry
And
*chose the person