Childminders

[Jbr]

Oftsed are concerned that people who take payment for giving children pre-school education in their homes (ie childminders) may not be registered.

It's certainly very worrying. However, if you don't take payment, you don't have to be registered, which is even more worrying.

education.guardian.co.uk/ofsted/story/0,7348,785979,00.html

batters, I childmind three children for two high school teachers, term time only children. I am paid half fees during the school holidays, this is to guarantee that their place is available for the following term. The places are also available during holiday times if they are required, (with prior notice) and the full fee is then payable. - None of mine want me during the hols!

What I have done this year with my clients is worked out how many weeks term there is (independent schools terms are shorter and how many weeks holiday,) added the whole lot together and divided by twelve and I am paid a monthly amount in advance.

e.g. 38 x £200 + 14 x £100 = £ 9000 =£750 a month. It also works better this way as we are getting the school to use child care vouchers and the same amount can be requested each month from the voucher company.

Some childminders charge a higher fee during term time as they don't want the liability of being available during holiday time, as a childminder cannot charge a retainer if she is not prepared to take the children if asked. She may also be happy to work on just a term time contract, but you have to make sure that the place is available by maybe leaving a deposit equal to one months fees. I do this for another afterschool child.

Any questions feel free to email me or look at my website here

Alibubbles, I never realised childminders could only charge a retainer during the school holidays if they were free to take the child then as well. Thanks for that bit of info and I'm sure I'll be checking out your website.

Batters, I too need to find a childminder to do a few nursey pick ups for my ds. I'm about to get a list of registered childminders. When my older son had afternoon pickups, the childminder charged by the hour, and there was no charge for school holidays.

I remember one childminder quoted her full day rate to me, even though she would be looking after my son for only 2 and a half hours. On asking why, she said that I'd have the reassurance of her being on hand in case ds was ill and the nursery had to send him home early. All so well and good, but I preferred to make alternative and far cheaper arrangements.

IME, far more childminders are happy to do school and nursery pickups than take on the commitment of looking after a full time baby. Also, of course, as children get older minders are allowed to look after more of them. I've never had huge problems getting afternoon pick ups organised.

Batters, hope you soon hit on a good arrangement, too.

Wow Batters, that sounds like really good news!

Batters, thank you for that! I love my work and I'm proud of what I offer, childcare is my passion!