Do I carry on paying childminder for Dc1 whilst im on maternity leave with DC2?

[spekulatius]

I know I won't be able to afford to on maternity pay but I know cm will need an income and I would use her again when going back to work. What do other mums do?

My dd is a cm and her policy is if you want to keep the place even if not sending child you have to pay because if she is holding place for you she can't take on another child. If you are happy to take a chance that there will be a place available when you go back to work then you don't pay.

Reduce hours, but keep the continuity... It is good for your dc.

If you can afford any time with the childminder at all, try to - good for your DC (both) and also definitely good for your sanity

I charge a retainer for the child's place-usually half fees-if the parents want the child to come back.If they want the child to still come as usual then fine.If parents don't want to pay a retainer then I can't keep the space open and will take on another child.Or they can reduce their hours e.g. go from 5 days to 2 days,pay full fees for the 2 days and reduced fees for the other 3 if they want them back when they go back to work.