Childminder terms - is this reasonable?

[zinoviad]

Hi, I am in discussions with a childminder for my son who starts school this September - just drop off in the monring and pick up. My son has been going to the local nursery so I have no experience with this. She has quoted me 8ph (to include snacks and a meals in the evening) and charges half the rate for school holidays (mid term, summer(!!) etc), no charge when she is on holiday. Although I will need her services from late September she has also asked to be paid half rates from the start of September. Are the terms and hourly rate reasonable? Is there a sample of a childminder contract anywhere on line I can review to see if the one she offered me covers everything? Any advice on this will be much appreciated. Thanks!!

hmm, 8 per hour seems a lot to me. mine are not school age yet but go to a childminder 8am-5pm 4 days a week whilst I work and I pay 5 per hour per child plus 1.50 per week per child for all meals (3 meals a day)
8 per hour seems high
but then maybe it's different if you just want pre/post school
shall be interested to hear what others say as my two start school next Sept and I'll be looking for the same thing then (can't stay with same childminder as is too far from school - near my work)

5-5.50 is more typical here in Far Far West Surrey. Evening meal though is often extra now, so as it is not many hours just after school then maybe 8 including evening meal is reasonable.

Are you inside the M25, more in London area?

Half rate is the retainer fee by the sound of it. Having some kind of fee to keep your place reserved is quite common. It would be from the time the place was available, so starting Sept sounds reasonable.

Some childminders do not charge during school holidays, so if you only need after school during term time then you could keep looking but there may not be that many childminders who are able to collect from the school, so your choices may be limited.

Thank you all for your advice!