Help with a childminder query

[conniedescending]

I'm a sahm at the moment but need to go back to work shortly leaving me with a childcare conundrum. I have 4 children aged 5, 3, nearly 2 and 6mths. 5 year old is at school, 3 year old at pre-school every morning and I want a childminder to take all 4, pick 3yr old up from playgroup and pick eldest up from school.

Having a problem finding one childminder with enough spaces but via word of mouth have heard about a newly registered lady who has a nearly 3year old of her own. I was wondering if it would be appropriate to approach her and ask if she would consider only having my kids (plus hers of course!)seeing as I would have 2 fulltimers, my 3 year old from 12pm and plus my eldest after school? I was also wondering if it would be ok to ask her for a fixed price to have all 4 rather than working out the hours etc........any suggestions welcome!

If she has a 3 year old of her own, you might find she would not be able to take your children on as it would go above her ratios.

When your 3 year old is at preschool, who would have responsibilty for them if something happened, like illness? If it was the childminder, then you might have to pay for the cm while you child is there.

There is no harm is asking her. If she was able do it then she may well do a fixed price for you but it something you would have to ask.

If I was asked about a query like yours then I would consider doing a fixed price.

Good luck!

Thankyou southern belle - I was wondering what the ratios are exactly? My DH would be available should something happen at pre-school/ school as he works nearby.

Just didn't want to offend her by asking!

i dont think she would be offended but the ratios are 3 under five,thats 1 under 1 ,2 under 3 or 3 under 5.but not sure if she can get permission to take more because thay are siblings.you could ring ofsted and ask or get the cm to find out .i would not be offended at someone asking for fixed price.

I was given a variation to have an extra child so that I could accommodate siblings, even though it was for new business (something Ofsted maintain that they don't do).

I would definitely ask the childminder.

i think it would be cheaper for you to hire a nanny!

my ds is three - so i can mind 5 kids under 8 - 2 of those can be under 5 but i think ofsted would grant a variation if she can prove her capability of care.

i wouldn't offer a sibling discount and if your 3 yr old came school holidays too i would charge while she was at pre-school [this is fairly standard practice]

also i think that it would be a pretty daunting first job for a childminder minding 4 children esp. siblings as in my experience they tend to squabble and physically fight a lot! Also she would be putting all her eggs in one basket IYSWIM - BUT IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR HER TO GO FROM ZERO TO [sorry] over full capacity in one go!!

GOODLUCK

An issue for the childminder would also be that they have all their eggs in one basket. So while it is nice being full very quickly, the reverse can also happen very quickly. When you no longer need the service, the childminder goes from having a good income to having none.
You may find a childminder who does not mind that, but others may turn you down due to that reason.

Also agree that the cost difference between a childminder caring for all 4 children and a nanny, may be worth looking at.

what hours would you be neededg ie when would you drop off and how long after 3pm would you be neededing them there? i'll work out what i would charge to give you a rough idea then you can at least look at your options..FWIW, you 'would' pay for a full day for your 3 yrold even though in nursery as she couldnt fill those 2 hours, obv this means when school is clsoed the 3yr olds palce is there for full day.

I agree with vInTaGeVioLeT in that it would be a bit daunting for a new childminder to start off this way. Also, I doubt she would be granted a variation so soon after registration. In fact, I would be pretty ticked off if she was granted it - I've been minding for 20 years and I was refused a variation because Ofsted were adamant that they would only do this in the 'new sibling' situation, whereas I wanted to accommodate a returning child for a few months Seems they change the rules whenever it suits them.

I also think you would be better off with a Nanny.