Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.
Childcare
What is the going rate for childminders?
SpringCrimboTurkey · 05/12/2004 17:37
I'm returning to work in January and my SIL is looking after DD for 5 mornings a week - from 9am til 1pm.
What is acceptable to pay?
I don't want to cheat her out of anything but equally cannot afford to pay what a childminder would charge.
She doesn't work so would be grateful for anything but i want to be as fair as possible.
TIA x
peskykids · 05/12/2004 17:45
Yep, here in Coventry it's between £2.50 (an utter bargain for mine who is wonderful) and 3.50. I feel Imine doesn't charge enough, her job is so important, so I often turn up with some flowers and always bring pressies from holiday / christmas / birthday etc.
I don't want to be alarmist, but I hope you have an EXCELLENT relationship with your SIL? I know several friends who have had disagreements with the people looking after their kids, and some of those were friends who became childminders for their kid. Make sure the ground rules are all laid out in writing, and have a proper contract with terms about late pick up / holidays / illness etc. And if she isn't regeistered she'll need to be for insurance reasons. (I think)
snowvary · 05/12/2004 22:30
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
snowvary · 06/12/2004 07:51
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
nailpolish · 06/12/2004 09:04
i pay £2 an hour for dd1 and when dd2 starts she will be £1 an hour. (siblings are half price). my childminder is the most wonderful person. dd1 adores her and because i have no family at all around here i just dont know what i would do without her. we call her saintmandy.
sorry that was a bit gushy, but she really is very cool!
PocketTasha · 06/12/2004 09:38
Hi Turkey,
If your sister-in-law is your dd's auntie you don't need to worry about if she's registered, cos she's family. There aren't any penalties for family looking after your children, so long as they are really family. ie not a sort of cousin eight times removed! However, you could get help from working families tax credit, for child care when using someone registered. I guess the question is, would you be better off paying less for SIL to do it, or getting help and using someone registered? I agree with what people are saying though, do be careful, even the best relationships can be put under strain when you are letting someone else look after your kids. So long as she is someone who listens to you and agrees with your ideas about parenting you should be ok. As for pay around luton i haven't got a clue. But you can contact your local town hall and ask to speak to the 'early years team'. They may have details of the "going rate" in your area. HTH. and good luck going back! 
PocketTasha · 06/12/2004 09:53
MrsBDAD. If you look \link{url<a class="break-all" href="https://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/HomeIR.aspx\here}" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/HomeIR.aspx\here} (i hope that worked) it should help. How much help you get with childcare is worked out with your tax credit, so you'd get it together. If you click in the "do i qualify?" bit and fill in the form it will give you an estimate of the help you can get. HTH. Not sure if anyone else knows of anything better, as you need a bit of time on your hands to fill in the form! The Inland Revenue... They never do anything easily do they! .
PocketTasha · 06/12/2004 09:57
PANTS! i knew that would happen! hang on....
\link{url<a class="break-all" href="https://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qualify/DIQHousehold.aspx\here}.." rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qualify/DIQHousehold.aspx\here}..
that SHOULD take you straight to the "do i qualify?".
PocketTasha · 06/12/2004 10:01
Arrrgh!
One last try... I think the link is too long and it doesn't like it... RIGHT. Last try!
\link{url<a class="break-all" href="http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk\here}" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk\here}
you'll have to click in the Tax credits bit on the left hand side. Fingers crossed 
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