Childminders, is this possible?

**spritzer** · 27-03-2008, 07:03pm

Hi girls, I need a bit of advice. Both the boys are in nursery atm and I work 3 days a week which suits us all fine. However, Xander will start primary school in Sept 2009 (I know it's a long way off) and I think I will be lucky enough to have a term time only contract with work.

So, is it possible for the boys to go to a childminder for term times only? I'd want them to take the boys to school most days and pick Xander up at the end of school. I'd want them to have Zach all day but take him to his pre-school sessions etc.

Would a childminder give them tea and let them watch a bit of TV at the end of the day? I really don't want to have to use afterschool clubs etc as I think it's too exhausting and I want the kids to have some sort of social life after school finishes.

Also, would a childminder be prepared to have them just in term times? i'm sort of hoping it would be helpful for them as I suppose lots of parents need more help in the holidays than they do in the term time.

All suggestions and recommendations about how I solve this gratefully received

Puffy · 27-03-2008, 07:07pm

Hi
If you make it clear from the outset you only want term time some will accomodate Im sure. My after schoolies have their tea here and watch telly- the general consensus is they are far too tired to do any "activities" and by the time we get home from school (4 ish) its only 45 minstil tea time as they go home at 5.30

Just be honest and up front about youre requirements and hopefully you will find someone that suits you

**Florence** · 27-03-2008, 07:09pm

I'm a recently registered childminder and I would say that in this area, anyway, most childminders work term time, then as and when wanted in the holidays.

With regards to pre-school, be aware that most childminders would also probably still charge you for the time that your child is in pre-school (as they theoretically won't be able to fill that space when your child is not there).

Some childminders charge for meals, others include it in their hourly rate, but it shouldn't be a problem for them to give your child some tea.

HTH and that someone a bit more experienced comes along soon to give you more advice!

**spritzer** · 27-03-2008, 07:10pm

thanks. I am so glad they won't throw their arms up in horror if I ask for them to be allowed to watch TV

Afterall, that's what I wanted to do after school so why would my kids be different

I really hope this is possible - otherwise I'm going to have to come up with some really creative ideas

**spritzer** · 27-03-2008, 07:12pm

Oh, I fully realise I would have to pay for the time Zach is at pre-school. It's hardly fair to ask someone to drop off and pick up for a 2 or 3 hour session but not pay them.

**goldilocks** · 27-03-2008, 07:18pm

I have term time only kids and so do alot of others I know so its definately possible. I have a different set of kids that come in the holidays so it works really well.

You would probably be expected to pay a retainer during the school holidays though as its standard practice to reserv the space for the following term. The usual rate is half fee. If the cm is unavavilable for work though, or fills the space temporarily with another child they can't charge.

I personally don't usually let them just watch tv after school. They may get it on a Friday but thats it here. TBH I find they want to play anyway so it doesn't worry them at all, but you may find someone prepared to accomodate you.

hope that helps. Yell if you need to know anything else.

**spritzer** · 27-03-2008, 07:24pm

Thanks Goldilocks. The retainer thing worries me as this is what nursery does and, at their rates, I would be paying £200 a week for my kids NOT to attend - surely a childminder wouldn't charge this much?

Don't get me wrong about the TV thing - I'm sure they'd want to play instead/as well - I'd just like there to be the option if they fancied it.

**goldilocks** · 27-03-2008, 07:43pm

If you have a look at

www.childcarelink.gov.uk

you should be able to do a search for your area and get a feel for what the local rates are, so you could work out what a half fee retainer would cost based around the hours you would need.

The trouble is from a cm's persective is that if they can't fill that holiday space on a temporary basis they would be down on income but unable to fill the space as you need it reserved for the next term IYSWIM.

Saying that though, we all work differently and its entirely possible you may find one who's happy not to charge so don't let me put you off

Maybe if the retainer becomes a real issue you could negotiate to pay a slightly increased hourly fee then no retainer in order to secure a place? I'd offer that to people if it helped (which it can do, especially if people are claiming childcare tax credits)