Childminders and holdiays

[Leah4]

Hi, I have recently been looking for a childminder, to look after my dd from the end of September, when she starts school. I work part time, and I will only need her to be looked after for two hours, once a week, and perhaps to be taken to school three times during the week. I am however, thinking of letting her attend the breakfast club which has places. Would this be a better or worse idea?
I have visited a few childminders, and they are all unsure what they would charge me for the holidays, as they have not come across this request. I would most likely need dd to be looked after for a few weeks in the summer holidays, but also one or two days, during the half terms. It is proving quite difficult to find suitable childminders, as my dd will be taking up a place, for only one day, and one childminder recently cancelled as she later was asked to look after someone everyday after school and during all the holidays.
What are other childminders arrangements for holiday pay for the childminder, and the child's absence due to holidays? Any help on this would be appreciated.

Your whole post is littered with possiblies and perhaps.You need to decide exactly what care you are after exactly which hours you need and then if you take time out if it is a day you would normally have your dd attend it would be classed as holidays. When i was minding i would charge half the rate for such times but i can see why others are reluctant to take for such small hours where full time could be done.
From a different perspective as a t.a in school now i would just make the arrangement with a childminder and get a routine established rather than leave your child at breakfast club and a childminder and school for first time-it is a lot all at once if you see what I mean.It can unsettle some children having too much change all at onceour school doesnt take reception children at breakfast club on strength of it.

I would think that it would be more likely that you would find a childminder during the school term if the once-a-week pick-up and 3 days/week morning drop-off were on the same days each week.

I personally am happy to offer ad hoc childcare to all my older mindees during school holidays - I like the luxury of odd days with no schoolchildren! However, I think that most childminders would prefer to know in advance what is required and, again, it might be easier to find someone if it was for a fixed day or two each week.

With regard to holiday pay, there is another thread \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=2300&threadid=171993&stamp=060510195316\here} which shows how differently childminders can work to others.

I had forgotten to add to my original post that I work on fixed days, so I would of course arrange for dd to be collected on one particular day that week, and not change it. Joanna4, I understand your point about not using the breakfast club and childminder - I did have my reservations in view of the changes she will be experiencing already, hence why I have been contemplating whether it is a good idea.

Yet I may have to do the breakfast club if no child minders are prepared to and take her to school on 3 days, and collect her once a week, I will then look at other alternatives. I will look at the holiday thread you attached, ThePrisoner, thanks.

I will just have to keep looking; I have a couple of appointments next week. Thanks for your responses.

what area do you live in lots of childminders in this area do exactley what you want .(MIDDX)

I am in the Harrow area, and I have been given a full list of all current childminders in the area. Which area of Middlesex do you live in?

sorry i am in the hounslow area so not much help.
before i was a childminder My daughter attended a breakfast and after school club and loved it. also in holidays she went.if really depends on your child but i always found this a very successful form of childcare.so if no childminders in your area this is worth considering.

it depends on the individual childminder.

I don't mind having a lot of flexibility but I know of some c/minders who work to a strict timetable.

we are all different!!

Good luck in your search!