How much does a childminder cost in London?

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

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.

[ssd]

Mafalda, you and I have written almost the same thing!

Have a look in tha Topics section at Childcare, and then at the "childminders, advice needed "bit.

Also join KatieMac and KangaMummy's petition to get a childminding section (sorry - I mean if you want to, of course )

[mafalda]

As a registered childminder in streatham i charge £5.00 hour, which most people think is expensive. I'm allowed to have three children but only ever have 1 full time and one part-time as i believe that having to many I can not give them the atention that they need. I also do not understand how parents complain about paying someone to look after thier darlings for £5.00 but are quite happy to pay someone to clean their house upto £8.00. Tell me know what you think.

[ZolaPola]

Paid between £5 and £7 per hour in SE London.

[DeeGee]

Hiya Just as a point of note, *"Ofsted now recommend that childminders ask for cash and a month in advance"!It can save a load of agg and has nothing to do with not declaring.

• ICP course
  
  Good forum this

[catgirl]

we pay £140 per week (which now includes all food - and he does eat a lot!), and we are in East London. We pay cash every week, to save her going to a cash machine, the other parents pay her by cheque every month.

[welshmum]

We pay ours £5 an hour. We used to pay less but she was doing such a good job I suggested she charged us more - only fair really. She's fantastic and has been very important to us as first time parents and is very much loved by dd.

[bundle]

thanks alibubbles, hadn't thought of that!

[alibubbles]

As many of you knoew I am a childminder of 18 years standing. I am paid direct to the bank every month and accept nursery vouchers. I do know that many of my colleagues only accept cash as they have had too many bounced, late, or forgotten, cheques, not got my cheque book, will pay you tomorrow scenarios .At least they know that they are getting paid, in full and on time with cash - nothing to do with not declaring it!

[Uwila]

YEah, I see your point. But I was happy with the way she looked after DD. So I just decided that it was her job to run her business according to the rule, and if she chose to break then, it wasn't my job to get involved.

She was very good in terms of the care she gave to children. And, she was really flexible when I showed up late... a nursery nerver would have put up with me.

But, we have a nanny now. So, it's a different situation all together. Well, I must go now... may try to sign on when I get home later... but no promises!

[bundle]

I'm not saying it doesn't happen uwila, just would worry me a lot. if she's not declaring the income, then surely she may not want to declare her correct numbers (so remain undetected) to the LA/Ofsted and therefore wouldn't be insured or covered if anything happened to the children in her care. I'm not condemning her/you, just voicing concern, that's all

[jane313]

I paid £25 a day in Ealing last February. (from about 8am to 5.30pm) It was only on an emergency basis because I was ill. I supplied food and milk and nappies. We got her name from the local council website and they put the sort of prices they generally charged. We felt bad it was so little so paid her £30 a day.

[Uwila]

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.

[Uwila]

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.

[bundle]

uwila, why in cash? was she registered?

[Uwila]

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]

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

[hana]

also depends on the area of London you're in

[artyjoe]

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.

[stardust]

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?

[GymJunkie]

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.

[alison222]

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

[CountessDracula]

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

[artyjoe]

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!

[Aero]

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!

[motherinferior]

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.