I am a qualified nursery nurse working as a childminder. Yes, childminders can earn up to 9 per hour for the three children under five that they are allowed. However, from this we must deduct tax and insurance, higher household and car insurance, higher food bills, and the cost of replenishing equipment. I do not know many childminders who look after six children. In fact not only are many childminders struggling to fill their places, many also have to care for their own children too.
I am a qualified nursery nurse working as a childminder. Yes, childminders can earn up to 9 per hour for the three children under five that they are allowed. However, from this we must deduct tax and insurance, higher household and car insurance, higher food bills, and the cost of replenishing equipment.
I do not know many childminders who look after six children. In fact not only are many childminders struggling to fill their places, many also have to care for their own children too.
Childminders offer high-quality childcare. I plan a weekly and monthly timetable with age-appropriate activities with reference to the Government's education programme - and all this is done with no help.
I think many nursery nurses are too hard on teachers, when they have been to university for four years, while we have only trained for two. Besides, if Marilyn Mills thinks childminders earn so much for doing so little, why does she not give it a go?
Rachel Eckersley
Manchester
