Paying childminder while isolating

[WhoWants2Know]

I normally use a childminder for wrap around childcare. Since schools are closed and I am working from home, I have still been paying her the usual rate to keep the space open.

My child is at an age where I was considering allowing her to be at home alone for short periods of time from next September. In that case, I would no longer need a place with childminder after the end of this school year.

If the schools don't manage to reopen this year, how long do I continue paying for the space?

If your child still needs a childminder, is she old enough to stay at home for a short period of time?

I would stop paying for the place, as I don't think schools will reopen this academic year, unless you need the childcare over the summer holiday too?

She is actually old enough to spend short periods of time at home alone, and that's been no problem.

The reason I still use a childminder is that I wasn't quite sure if she's ready to carry a key and let herself in and out of the house. (And her mate also goes to the same childminder and they like to play together after school)