Childminder

[KarenBack]

Hi there
I am returning to the UK with my 2 year old daughter having been away for 15 years. I will be based in Putney for up to 3 months and am looking for some temporary child minding - possibly 2 afternoons a week to help relieve my mum who will be looking after my child whilst I am work. I am not sure where to begin. Any advice re hourly rates and where to source good childminders would be most gratefully received.

Hi, I’m a childminder and recommend care.com and childcare.co.uk
I’m not in your area so cost varies but I charge £5 per hour and 4.50 ph when it’s a full day. Local Facebook groups are good too. Good luck with your search!

It’s worth looking at what free hours you can claim through the gov.uk website too- some people can claim from 2 years old. Childminders sometimes need you to top up these payments.

I'm not sure about per hour but our childminder is £37 for a whole day (others we looked at were £45 for a whole day).

Childcare.co.uk is good, but you can only contact people if either you/they pay the subscription fees.

Wandsworth Borough Council will have a childcare search facility on their website. It’s mandatory for local authorities to maintain an accessible database of registered childcare providers.

Btw, you should be aware that using crude 'per hour' rates is not a reliable way of comparing true costs.

You need to check each individual provider's fees schedule and policies because there are vast differences in what’s included. Any given childcare provider may or may not include such things as meals, groups, outings, etc in their rates. They may charge in full, in part, or not at all for absences/holiday closures. They might have different rates for anti-social hours or bank holidays.

In all honesty, price is not a good place to start. All too many parents engage in this 'rush to the bottom' then are strangely surprised and upset when they encounter extra charges, unwelcome Ts&Cs, or less than outstanding quality. Put bluntly, a lemonade price tag won’t buy champagne.

If somebody calls me and their first question is price Im put off, yes price is important but in reality if you look at a bill over a whole year costs don't vary much in an area I don't want parents who put what is effectively pennies differences as more important than quality and best for child. In terms of a two year old most activities are done in the morning as they either already have afternoon naps or moving towards them so I would look for a morning place so your child gets the most of their time and you get the best activities and stimulation for your money, Granny will already get an afternoon rest.

Hourly rates vary enormously area to area and I'd imagine you are looking at upwards of £6.50/hr in Putney. You might also find it difficult to find someone willing to do short hours so might be best looking for a nursery that does half days of a nanny

^^ exactly what Jannier said above.