Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.
Childcare
Pay for childminders
girlygirl · 29/03/2005 19:22
Be honest as a parent who uses a childminder.
Do you think they are worth between £2.50 and £2.75 per hour, or more or less?
Remember their day to day responsibilities, how easy it is looking after someone else's child, the wear and tear on their house, etc.
I am thinking about registering as a childminder in my area as there is a demand, but today I've just found out the hourly pay and I am SHOCKED. I know I can have more than one child but I only wanted 1 or 2 as I feel I can give better care to a small group by myself rather than up to 6!!!But going by the measly hourly rate I think I'll not bother...
motherinferior · 29/03/2005 19:41
No offence at all here, definitely. I completely see your point. It's a vicious circle, paying for childcare - £30 a day times two is a fair bit per week for us, but I know my childminder isn't exactly rolling in it (and she does take several kids, but then she's been in the business for about 20 years!).
motherinferior · 29/03/2005 19:46
Agree, but that also depends on the going rate. I would find it difficult to pay £100 a day, and would therefore look for another childminder who charged less.
If there wasn't one, of course, I'd have to stump that up [shudder at thought of £400 a week]
jambo1707 · 29/03/2005 20:03
Hi
I get no help with chilcare (i have 3 sons under 3)
I pay my friend £200 per month, I supply all food for the boys, snacks, nappies, wipes sweets etc.
they are unabke to work for medical reasons so welcome the extra cash
If it wasn't for them i would not be able to work as unable to afford a childminders fee.
When I work a sat and sunday only I found only 1 childminder to take on the boys as it was weekend I earned £120 per weekend, childcare would be £100
Surprisingly I never used the childminder
girlygirl · 29/03/2005 20:43
Still wondering if it's worth it
I worked in a nursery for years before having dd, but it seems in my area anyway the going rate is about £2.50 to £2.75 per hour. And I have met with quite a few local c/minders,who have told me they can't charge anymore as parents won't pay it. So all my experience and training can't get me more than £2.75 an hour.Unless I take on a lot of children and give them the barest of attention as there are too many for one person.
Maybe I should try to get a cleaners job, they are paid £6 an hour here.Obviously people prefer a clean house to a well cared for child.
lljkk · 29/03/2005 20:49
But then you'd have 2 pay 4 childcare if U have yr own child... most cms have their own child(dren) 2 look after, 2. It's completely flexible, u choose yr hours & holiday (&clients, too). My cm is worth more than £2.50/hr per child, but I dont earn that much more myself.
Dahlia · 29/03/2005 20:50
Girlygirl, I think round here that a childminder rate is pretty much the same as it would cost to send them to a nursery if you worked out the hourly rate there. I childminded for a while, but have to say I found it completely exhausting! I liked the idea of not having to worry about paying for childcare for my dd by working from home and having her with me. But in reality I didn't get to give her much attention as the other baby I was minding was quite demanding, and as a result I felt awful and that I was neglecting my dd. So I jacked it in. I'm not trying to put you off, but it is very hard work.
RTKangaMummy · 29/03/2005 20:50
girly girl
I am a childminder and charge more but I only have one mindee because that is what I want to do
I think it is scanderlous that cm are paid less than cleaners or gardeners or window cleaners
It is like we are not worth as much.
So totally agree with you
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