Funded hours for working parents query

[blueyheeler]

Hi all, just wanted some guidance really. I am due to return to work soon after maternity leave. We have been eligible for the funded hours for working parents. I have found a childminder, she has sent me a breakdown of charges. Little one will only be in childminders for 3 full days, but childminder is charging me £25 weekly charge to cover food, resources etc. This seem a lot for 3 days, what have others been charged? She seems to be adding alot of extra charges on, and it seems we will be paying almost £400 per month still for fees, even though she will only be in for 20hours per week, so 5 extra hours we will be paying. It doesn't seem like we are going to be better off at all. Would really like to hear what others were charged xx

My mum is a childminder and as far as I was aware, childminders are not allowed to charge extra for food/trips, although nurseries are. I might be wrong about this.

Our nursery are charging us about £10 per funded day for food/consumables.

Yes you are wrong about this.

I would charge £255 for this.

Funded hours are term time only and you aren't using full days so there is probably a higher hourly rate for that. Food and outings really add up and I don't think £25 is a lot for 3 days.

I've genuinely seen more complaining about fees since the funding came in that I ever saw before. A year ago this would have cost you £800 approx at least.

Funded hours are term time only, so only about 38 weeks of the year are funded.

Our nursery charge £10 a day for consumables

Thanks for your replies. Can I use the childcare choices tax free child care along side the 15 funded hours?

Yes you can use TFC alongside your funded hours. Are you stretching your hours over the whole year or term time only? If they are stretched, this could be why your charges are higher than you anticipated.