What to expect

[bumpieonamission]

Hi. I am currently starting to look at childminders for my lo as I've been told to look early!(lo is 14 weeks and will be 12mnths when I plan to go back.

I just wondered if you could answer some questions-

*Do you pay before they start (so in arrears) or at the end of the month

*Do we still pay if we go on holiday?

*Do we still pay if they go on holiday?

• is the rate quoted net or do I have to pay their tax/ni?

• what happens if my baby is ill? Do we still pay?

• what happens if the cm is ill? Do we still pay?

Sorry if some are silly qs but I am trying to figure it all out

I'm just doing my childminding training but I think I can answer most of your questions:

Hi. I am currently starting to look at childminders for my lo as I've been told to look early!(lo is 14 weeks and will be 12mnths when I plan to go back.

I just wondered if you could answer some questions-

Do you pay before they start (so in arrears) or at the end of the month You usually pay in advance

Do we still pay if we go on holiday? Yes

Do we still pay if they go on holiday? No

is the rate quoted net or do I have to pay their tax/ni? Childminders are self employed so they pay their own tax/NI.

what happens if my baby is ill? Do we still pay? Yes

what happens if the cm is ill? Do we still pay? No

Tbf some of those questions will be up to the individual cm so the above poster is not quite right in giving you a blanket answer.

Ask each one their Ts and Cs and remember to calculate fees as a whole year to get a true picture if cost is important to you.

(Did you mean in advance in your first question because both options were the same?)

I agree, there will be a lot of varying answers to those questions as it will depend on the individual childminders terms of business.

Looking at costs over a year is a good idea as that way you could compare total costs of different childminders, if you were to make a decision based on cost. I would hope you would make a decision on other factors as well, not just cost, such as who you get on best with, whom your child relates to when they meet, location.

Depends on the CM as others have said. Ask each one you see and even if one charges for everything, but has a lower rate, they might be the same over a year.

Thanks all

Of course it is not about the cost, I am just thinking about logistics as I know I'll be focussed on rapport and be guided emotionally when visiting!!

Yes, I did mean pay in advance or arrears

Hi, as others have said it will depend on each CM as to whether or how you pay for holidays etc.

You don't pay their tax and NI - they are self employed and sort that out themselves.

Most may want a retainer to hold a place for when you want your LO to start but you are doing the right thing by starting to look now.

Have you tried childcare.co.uk?