Advice about Childminder's fees please

[Neverenoughmistletoe]

My lovely Nanny who has been with us for over 7 years is leaving us early next year to set up on her own as a Childminder. She has been discussing it all with me, and this morning we were talking about money and whether she should offer a reduced hourly rate for a second and subsequent child in a family.
Could you tell me what is the norm where you live please?
Also, if you are willing to tell me what the rate is you pay/charge I'd be grateful!
Thanks.

Bump

I wouldn't offer a reduction in fees for 2nd & 3rd children as after all they are taking up your precious spaces from which you can earn full fess with three different children. Also siblings are just as much work as three different children in that the expenses you incur feeding & doing craft activities & outings are the same & not reduced.
As to level of fees this varies according to where you live, where I am in Horsham my fees are between £4 & £4.30 per depending on the number of hours attended, but I also know of other childminders in the town who charge £4.50 per hour

Thankyou-that was my feeling also.

I dont offer any reduced fees as Badgerhead said you still have the same expenses. Have her look on www.childcarelink.gov.uk put in her post code and it will give her the CM's in her area, most have their fees on there and will give her a idea.

I'm a CM and I do offer a small reduction for siblings. My rates are £3.75 p/h full time and £4.50 p/h part-time. I reduce these by 50p an hour for siblings.

I found out the hard way though that there is a greater risk with siblings. I looked after 3 sisters who I adored, but when their mother lost their job I lost all 3. Extremely sad!

With childminders, there is no norm. Childminders can charge what they like, thus prices and terms vary. Some will give a sibling discount, while others will not.

I would not suggest that a sibling discount is mentioned prior to actually having a request from someone with more than one child. Then based on the individual family circumstances, it is decided if there will be a discount or not.

Putting all your eggs in one basket is not a good idea - the basket can drop (termination), or have a hole in it (late payer).

In my area (near Sunningdale, Berkshire) typical childminding fees are £4.50 per hour, per child.

Thankyou all very much!

Some only give discount on full time places or for over eights. Some discounts are as little as 10p an hour or just rounded down the weekly cost by a couple of pounds.

Before agreeing any discount check that the parent has checked their eligibility for financial help through the childcare element of tax credits and considered the financial savings of using childcare vouchers.

I do as Nick suggests, I don't mention sibling discounts at all unless asked, then I consider each request individually. I have agreed small discount for a family with 4 children. I have declined discounts where both children were under 5 and where the contract only amounted to a few hours a week.

Thanks ayla99 and all who have posted.

I know a childminder inEpsom who charges £5/hour for 1 or £8/hour for 2. (although she might be offering that to me as favour -- not sure if she offers reductions for everyone)

I think she should just ask around and do what others in her area do. If everyone else offers a reduction she might find that parents around her expect one. And if no one else offers one, then she might not need to offer one to fill the places.

She could just go down the childminder list from childcarelink.gov.uk and cal round and ask people how their fees are structured, what hours they are open, etc.

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