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Original poster

How much does a childminder cost in London?

36 replies

PuffTheMagicDragon · 09/10/2004 13:50

Am considering my next move beyond sahm.

I have a good idea of the costs of private nursery (shudder!) but have no idea about childminders fees. Any advice appreciated from all you lovely, wise Mumsnetters.

I'd probably be looking at 2 or 3 days a week in the first instance.

OP posts:
lydialemon · 09/10/2004 15:55

Well, my BF charges around £4ph but I know others who charge £4.50. She's in Addington (south London/Croydon) if thats any help!

Yorkiegirl · 09/10/2004 17:00

Message withdrawn

biketastic · 09/10/2004 17:11

hi PTMD,
I have a lovely childminder who charges us £40/day including food for my ds.
I think she is cheap, though. We are in North London. HTH

Original poster
PuffTheMagicDragon · 09/10/2004 19:51

What about if its 2 children, is it just doubled, so, say £80 a day?

If so, the costs would seem to be quite similar to a private nursery, am I right?

OP posts:
KatieMac · 09/10/2004 20:57

As a childminder I would confirm that two children would cost twice the price. Occasionally a childminder may charge less - but that wouldn't be in her (his) best interest.

The decision between childminder and nursery shouldn't be one of cost.

They each offer different advantages and disadvantages for both you and your children.

Original poster
PuffTheMagicDragon · 09/10/2004 22:11

Thanks everyone.

KatieMac - the cost is just one of a myriad of things I am considering, but had no idea about costs of using a childminder. Thanks ever so much for your info.

A private nursery or childminder would be the option open to me if I return directly to work.

I am thinking about a career change, possibly going back to university to do so, in which case I'd hope(!) to get a subsidised place in the university for my youngest, and after school childminding for my eldest.

That's the theory anyway!

OP posts:
hana · 09/10/2004 23:26

I pay £4.50 in West London, that's the standard around here.

Tanzie · 10/10/2004 08:27

About three years ago childminders in central London (I was looking in Westminster) were charging between GBP 5 and GBP 7 per hour, per child. I got a trained nanny via Simply Childcare to look after both in my home for GBP 8 per hour. I think the rates were hoicked up a bit because there are so few in that area.

SofiaAmes · 10/10/2004 22:03

We are in west london. My childminder is £20 or £25 a day per child depending on whether you do the year round or by the month option. We go away for months at a time sometimes so do the latter option. She charges twice the price for two children with a £5 a week discount. For me the flexibility and personal interaction that you get with a good childminder is invaluable.

hana · 11/10/2004 17:34

that's very cheap sophiaames!! An 8 hour day works out at just over £40!!

SofiaAmes · 11/10/2004 22:08

That includes lunch too and she is totally wonderful and very very flexible with the hours (as long as you pick them up in time for her to go to yoga on wed nights). If you are ever looking for a childminder, I'm happy to pass her name on. Only problem is that she doesn't drive, so can't do the school run.

motherinferior · 11/10/2004 22:29

Mine is £30 a day in South East London. She is absolutely wonderful and has looked after both my daughters since they were four months old.

Aero · 11/10/2004 22:49

OMG - as a childminder in Kent, I clearly haven't been charging enough!! Am on mat leave for the time being, but I charged £3ph, with a discount for siblings of £1ph! When I go back to work, I think I'll be putting my prices up! I just feel childcare is such a huge expense for parents that I feel bad about charging more - I need to remember that I need to make a living too! All meals and snacks were also included in the price!

artyjoe · 11/10/2004 22:55

Myself and my partner are currently in the process of registering as childminders and are currently attending a course, only last week the entire room of 20 was asked what they were going to charge per hour...we are all in Surrey...the cheapest was £4.50, majority £5 and most expensive £7.

Hope this helps!

CountessDracula · 11/10/2004 22:59

Our local one who we use for ad hoc stuff eg if nanny ill has just gone up from £6 to £7 per hour, think that is fairly average for the area

alison222 · 12/10/2004 18:49

West London - 4-5 pound per hour depending on childminder and approx 35-45 per day

GymJunkie · 12/10/2004 19:41

Farnham Surrey, £3 and that is because I was to idle to work out hours X 2.75. I provide food and I pay half rates when she is on holidays and full rates if we are away. The one that rankles is, if she takes a day off in between and I have to make alternative arrangements an end up paying her and the alternative. Doesn't happen too often, once when her daughter was in labour and once for a funeral. On the upside, she makes a big fuss of all their birthdays (two full time and two after school) and when they arrive the house is decorated with balloons. I was late collecting DS last winter(she had to go( and I let myself in the side entrance and spied her hubby sitting on the couch one arm around DS and the other around his grandson and they were watching postman pat. Soppy bugger that I am I filled up. Wouldn't swap her for the world.

stardust · 12/10/2004 21:33

Does a childminder have to be qualified? I cant understand how it can vary so much from £3-8...when both rates can be found in london.
We've got no1 in nursery full time at 1100 per mth, but with no2 due in feb, and planning to go back full time, we are reconsidering....would be great for me to have someome at home, but after all the stimulation of nursery, i wonder if no1 would regress at home with a baby...even admitting the 2/1 ratio would be nice.
Also, nobody has mentioned ni costs....surely this bumps up the cost too?

artyjoe · 12/10/2004 22:47

Registered childminders are self employed so there are no NI costs. All childminders have to have qualifications in first aid and Level one of Introduction to Childminding Practice.

To be honest, with regards to rates, what I have found anyway is that it boils down to what the childminder thinks their care is worth. Also, some people charge according to the social class of people they want to mind. Some may charge £3 but have 8 children in their care, others may charge £7 and have only 3.

Hope this helps.

hana · 13/10/2004 17:51

also depends on the area of London you're in

bundle · 13/10/2004 17:59

puff, we pay about £900 per month for 2 places at nursery, 3 days a week (dd1 is 18 mths, dd2 is 4)

Uwila · 13/10/2004 18:17

I had one in Epsom who charged £5/hour (in cash). She was a bit more expensive than other. But she absolutely fantastic. We still go visit her and her kids when I have a Friday off now and then. If anyone needs a childminder in Epsom,I would be glad to recommend. Child minders vary so much in price because those in demand can charge more... just like any business. Childminders are not all alike.

But, of course you do have make your decision based on cost (among other things) because at the end of the day, you do have to pay the bill. And, if your resources are not unlimited, then of course it matters how much the bill is.

bundle · 13/10/2004 18:17

uwila, why in cash? was she registered?

Uwila · 13/10/2004 18:20

Yes, she is registered. But, Ofsted registration has nothing to do with finances. Obviously someone who wants to be paid in cash is probably not paying all of there taxes. It used to bother me, but I decided that I was more interested in her care of dd than I was in her Inland Revenue affairs.

Uwila · 13/10/2004 18:21

I would guess that she is far from the only child carer who is not paying all of her taxes. And that goes for chilminders and employers of nannies alike.