typical costs of different options

[LissyD]

I have one 15 month old who currently goes to nursery for £35 a day, for which I get an 85% grant from uni, although I think I'd get this for any childcare option. However, this doesn't cover holidays so I have to stay at home at holidays.

Thinking of having another baby, so what would be the cheapest/most efficient way of getting them minded for around three or four days a week while me and dp work/study?

How many hours per day?

From your profile, looks like you are in Preston, thus why your daily nursery charge looks cheap to me. In my area, you'd be lucky to get a day's nursery for £45-£50.

Not sure about the grant situation - does uni have a name for the grant? Do you know if it is provided by the Government in some way, or something particular to that uni?

I would suspect your options are either: Nursery or Childminder. At a guess, I would say that the cost is likely to be similar between the two - though will depend on how many hours you require per day, and local childminder rates.

It varies how long I'll be in uni, but to give myself time to study, I tend to leave her in nursery 9-5.

Also, would a childminder take her for my 7pm-9pm class if I can't get dp/mum/sister/dad/friend to do it?

The childcare grant is a goverment thing, I apply for it with my student loan (which reminds me, must apply for next year!)

I would suspect that a lot of childminders would not want to do beyond 6pm... but each is an individual and you may find someone would would.

As grant is a government thing, then chances are that it can be used for any form of Approved or Registered childcare - so could be used to pay a childminder, subject to the childminder agreeing. Contractually you would be responsible for paying the fees when they are due, if your funding is late, that isn't the childminders issue - so make sure you have some money in reserve, should the funding ever be late.

Childminder List - note this list is not going to be complete, as some childminders choose not to list themselves online. A full list is available from Lancashire Childcare Information Service 0800 195 0137