Need advice regarding paying a childminder during school term and school holidays pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[ScrewballMuppet]

I have found a lovely chilminder for september. The thing is she is new to chidminding and our children would be her first. Since we have only had childcare once its new to us to.

Its the fees side I need advice on. We need her to look after the kids 5 days a week 8-5. Although my eldest will go to full time school in sept and only requires before and after school care, which to me would mean we only pay for that time of 2 1/2-3 hours or so but then we need her for school holidays which would be 9 hours a day. What do you all do? do you pay the 9 hours even during the school terms to ensure you have spaces for the holidays to or does your childminder allow you to pay for just before and after school care and then for the full days IYKWIM.

Its the same with my youngest he will start nursery in sept so we only require her again before and after school albeit more hours than the eldest and then full time during the school holidays.

I am going to be a student with very doubtful prospects of gaining help with childcare because were borderline so we can't afford to pay the £225 a week I think the childminder is wanting. That would mean we would pay the childminder more than what my dh earns each month.

Advice please!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phew! have sorted out the finance thing. I asked her on the phone if she did discount for a sibling and mentioned about the shool term & holidays. She's offered me £20 a day for the two 8 - 5 and then £30 a day during the holidays. She did explain how that was broken down times that ds will be at schoool and not etc. but I didn't take it in...I was just relieved. I had been given prices that were charge alot more.
I nearly ended up with three cm's one to take kids to school, one to pick up and then as one cm has a holiday booked in oct another cm/nursery to cover that time....I was getting really upset that the kids wouldn't know whether they where coming or going. So thankfully thats all sorted one childminder apart from when she's on holidays and fees that are alot lower in case I don't get childcare help.

Feelingold, its nice to know that its a mutual thing, doesn't seem that awkward then.

If I read your post right and she will look after two children from 8 til 5 during the school holidays for £30 then you are getting a very good rate. Between DD at nursery and DS at cms I will be paying out £56 for the same.

Bozza is that for 1 day?

Yes. It will be £30 for DD at nursery (although my choice to leave her there) and £26 for DS at CMs although he is going for an hour longer so think you would be paying £23.40. But during term time she charges more - £3 per hour. So think it will cost me £10.50 a day for before/after care.