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| Q. |
What about part-time childcare? |
| A. Many childminders are happy to provide families with part-time places for children. They often drop children off at school and pick them up. Childminders can also take your child to a playgroup or nursery as part of the routine. |
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| Q. |
When are childminders open? |
| A. Childminders are self-employed and they decide on their working hours. Most will provide childcare between the hours of 8am and 6pm, some will work earlier mornings, later evenings and weekends as well. You will need to negotiate hours, as well as terms and conditions with the childminder. SCMA recommends that a mutually agreed contract is in place. |
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| Q. |
What age range are the children with a childminder? |
| A. Childminders can care for all ages of children from very young babies to teenagers. The mixed ages of children will help your child relate to others outside their peer group and assist witrh their social development. |
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| Q. |
How many children will there be with a childminder? |
| A. Childminders can care for a maximum of six children at any one time, including those up to the age of sixteen. Of those six children, no more than three can be under primary school age, and no more than one can be aged under one - except in special circumstances such as twins. The childminder's own children, if any, would be included within these ratios. Childminders who work with an assistant may look after larger groups of children. |
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| Q. |
How will I know my children will be safe and secure? |
A. You know your child best – look for a childminder you feel will be suitable for your child.
Childminders must be registered before they begin to work with children. The registration process is wide-ranging and rigorous involving references, training and health checks. A disclosure check must be carried out on the prospective childminder and every other adult in their household. The prospective childminder's home is also inspected to ensure it is a safe and suitable environment for children.
After a childminder is registered, an inspection is carried out annually to make sure the childminder is continuing to provide a safe and suitable service. You should ask to see a childminder’s registration and insurance certificate, in addition to their latest inspection report. These are the same checks and inspections that a nursery would go through.
It is illegal for an unregistered person to look after children under 16 for reward/payment. However, people do not need to register if they are a close relative of the child, or if they are working in the child’s own home.
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| Q. |
How much does a childminder cost? |
| A. Childminders set their charges themselves and these can vary in different areas. There is no set national rate, but the average charges are £2.80–£ 3.70 per hour and £ 102–£152 per child / per week for full-time care. Many childminders will offer a discount for a second child from the same family. The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) produces a guide to pay and conditions for that would give an idea of rates of pay for each Local Authority area. The guide is free to members and available to non-members for a minimum fee. Please contact SCMA’s Head Office for details.
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