Child Minding

Kersmash

Posting on behalf of my Ma.

Basically, she's looking for some advice. She's thinking of going back into childminding after an absence of a few years.

What's the going rate for 2 children under 5, with a 45 hour week? Is she entitled to minimum wage? I'd imagine so.

Is she entitled to time off for holidays, with pay? Or is that up to the employer in question? What about bank holidays?

We live in the suburbs, near enough to the city if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance.

hunnymonster

as i understand it, as a childminder she would be self employed so minimum wage would not apply. Most recent figures I've found a re 2006 so things may have changed significantly since then. Earnings are exempt from tax up to 15k.


http://www.childminding.ie/childminding.htm

As a Registered Childminder, you offer a service for a fee. You are not paid “wages” by parents since they do not employ you in the way that a normal employer would – being responsible for your tax and PRSI, and offering other employer benefits like security of employment. You are responsible for negotiating the fee for your service; you are responsible for your own tax and PRSI. As you are self-employed, the minimum wage does not apply.

Deciding what to charge
This can be one of the most difficult decisions for a newly Registered Childminder. You should remember that childminding is a highly skilled, demanding, responsible and time-consuming job. You should expect to be paid for skills and responsibilities as well as for your time. You should also take account of the employment conditions in your area and try to strike a balance between what you need to earn and a reasonable charge to the parents in your care.


Table A – 2006 Survey - Rates of Pay
Summary of responses from Childminding Ireland members.
The rates shown are the average rates quoted in the survey for hourly and weekly fees for a childminding placement.
National Average €135



County Weekly Hourly
Carlow €134 €9
Cavan *€110 n/a
Clare €124 €4
Cork €149 €6.25
Donegal €127.50 €4.40
Dublin €166 €6.50
Galway €127 €5.60
Kerry €135 €3.70
Kildare €149 €3.85
Kilkenny *€149
Laois *€125
Leitrim €115 €4
Limerick €135
Lonfgord €100 €6
Louth €125
Mayo €135.65 €8.35
Meath €158.85 €4.97
Monaghan €110.75 €3
Offaly €100
Roscommon €107.50 €3.66
Sligo €140
Tipperary €125 €5.25
Waterford €142.37 €4.80
Westmeath €109.50 €2.85
Wexford €150 €4.85
Wicklow €173 €5.30

*Due to no meaningful data, these figures are from the appropriate County Childcare Committee

MissAlex

My dd is with a child minder for about 18mths now, it costs €35 per day, including all food and drinks. I pay for bank holidays but they do take 2 weeks off in the summer and at Christmas without pay. The only time I don't pay them for a day is if they are not available.

Kersmash

Thanks for the replies. Very informative!