Childminder Questions

[Cillitbanger]

DD will start school next year, she's currently in nursery four full days a week and has been since she was 11months. I had hoped to use primary school's out of school club but have been advised that they only do after school rather than before and after school so it looks like I need a childminder. I have no experience of childminders so have a few questions:
Do they charge for the whole day or only the hours they are looking after the child?
What happens when they are on holiday/ill do they have a reciprocal back up system with other childminders?

I charge a 'seasion' rate for before school and one for after school. It's one price regardless of what time you pick up though as its not worth my while to have a charge for 30 mind for example. So i charge £13 for 3 hours care including snack, dinner and pudding.

I have other CMs numbers you can try but they all have their own mindees so it would depend on the day if they could help out with back up. On a side note though, CMs rarely take sick days. Good immune systems built up from working with children plus being self employed means in 3 yrs I've not been ill yet.

Thanks Nick Nacks, what do you do about holidays?

Once she starts school full time ir after any half days for settling in have finished, then she's officially counted as over 5 (whether she's 4 or 5) and this makes a big difference to CM numbers so would not be expected to pay whilst she's at school. Most cm offer wraparound care and prices vary enormously depending g on area, demand, after school clubs etc. when I'm registered my fees based on local norm are £6.50 before school & £20 after (£25 for both) inc meals & snacks. As NN says this is for a session so makes no difference if u collect at 4, 5 or 6pm!

Most cm don't charge if they're off sick (& therefore dont get paid!) so are very rarely sick enough to close. Holidays (some charge some don't) are usually 3-5 weeks a year and notified well in advance so you have the choice of going at the same time or covering it yourself or like some cm I have set up a reciprocal arrangement should people need cover when I'm off. HTH

I don't charge for mine but I do charge for any days the child has off, holiday or sick. Same thing, i can give other numbers but will depend on their availability. Most parents of mine take an early finish as I dont take term time hols very often due to having my own dc at school.