How much do you/would you pay for a child minder?

[ToddlerMama27]

I am level 3 qualified and I am thinking about childminding when my little one is a bit older but I’ve just had a look at the average rate and it’s £4-£5. I don’t understand how that is sustainable with food costs, toddler groups ect. Meals and snacks would probably be at least £20 a week if not more and activities £15 at the very least?? 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

You have more than 1 child per hour though so are earning more like £20 an hour.

I pay £6 an hour and provide a lunchbox, nappies etc, childminder provides all snacks, there are a lot of free or v cheap stay and play type things in local churches near me that they go to. I see advertised a lot of play group places so discounted rates for childminders too

I pay £4.75ph for my childminder. Food provided (but I still send some because my son has allergies and it makes me feel better) and I provide nappies.

Rates vary hugely across the country. You need to factor in how many children you will be able to look after - different in different countries of UK. Costs such as food, cleaning supplies, mileage, toddler groups at are tax deductible , which is fine if you are earning enough to pay tax. You'd be best to speak to childminders in your local area & find out a bit more.

Until the funded hours kicked in we were paying £65 a day. We sent in nappies, wipes and lunch.

In terms of activities you seek out free or very low cost ones. You make friends with other childminders and have playdates/activities with them. Church run playgroups are usually fairly cheap and many offer a group discount. If you have a local attraction near you it may be worth getting an annual pass, particularly if it's one where you only need to pay for adults and children under a certain age go free.

If you want to do the occasional more expensive trip you can charge extra for this if parents are willing to pay. They may be happy with their kids just going to the park/playing at home.

In London, one of mine charges £260pw all in, and the other £225pw (needs packed lunch but provides a daily snack of fruit). For 8am-6pm Mon-Fri.

They are around £6 per hour here. Usually days out are to toddler groups where you pay per family, sites where you can have an annual pass and free places.

No ...you have up to 3 early years so bring in up to £15 from which you have outgoings so your earning less than minimum wage for most of the day at £5 an hour.

Is this the local average rate or are you looking at national average? Have you your own children? Would you take on children as wrap around and holiday care? You need to find your local rate for all of this and work it out bearing in mind your own children take up spaces. The normal ratio is 3 under 5 and a further 3 aged 5 to 8 ....but it also depends on floor space.

I was a childminder..

you can take before and after school more children .

I got nappies, wipes and milk provided by parents

you get good at finding cheap activities, Soft play we went as an occasional treat but left and went home for lunch ,

we would do things like making play doh, making cakes , free trips to the park .

we had a fabulous time without the money

Our childminder charges £38 for a full day, no food except snacks provided.

£12 for before or after school sessions, toast and cereal provided on a morning, toast and fruit on an afternoon.

Morning = 7-8:45 and school drop off. Afternoon 3:20-5:30 with school pick up

Bearing in mind my youngest is 10... but £50 a day was normal even then.

And this is why there are no spaces anywhere...