15 free hours - for childminders?

[Belle]

Hello,

does anyone know if the 15 free hours can be used towards childminders' fees? We are not currently using a nursery, solely childminder care. I've read conflicting things online.

thanks!

[AnyaJoeli]

My childminder did take part in the scheme but she would insist that you were full time or as near to that as possible, otherwise it didn't really work out for her financially. As I only used her 2 days a week she wouldn't offer the 15 hours as part of that, so I ended up putting my 3 year old into a state nursery for his 5 mornings a week once he was eligible. I'm not sure whether that's a common position for childminders to take (I guess it depends how much they charge etc). It's worth asking your childminder if they're flexible.

[Belle]

Hmm that makes sense. We're very happy with our childminder and want to stay with her, just exploring whether we can use the free hours with her or not - hoping to get a school nursery place (in addition to CM), but it may be a long wait.

[minder]

It depends whether your childminder is signed up with Southwark to offer the free 15 hours and also what they charge really. Have you asked her?

Childminders have to have at least a 'satisfactory' grading at their last inspection to offer 3-4 year old free 15 hours and only a 'good' or 'outstanding' grading to offer the 2 year old free 15 hours.

Childminders claim the cost of the 15 hours directly from Southwark Council.

As of last November this was ?6.00 per hour for 2 year olds, going down to ?4.10 an hour for 3-4 year olds.