mummyMia
17-02-2013, 05:45 PM
I have been following the recent thread about childminders becoming employed, and I thought I would share some information about how a similar system operates in Finland. Apologies in advance for the long post :)
In Finland, there are two types of childminders. Some are self-employed, while others are employed by local councils. Childminders can choose which route they want to take, but they can't do both at the same time. Parents can also choose which type of childminder they want to use. Self-employed childminders work much the same way as we do in the UK. Everything that I have written below applies to the council employed childminders.
Ratios:
Childminders can look after a maximum of 4 children below school age plus one additional preschool or school aged child. Children go to preschool at age 6 and school at age 7. A childminder's own children count in the numbers until they start school at age 7.
Fees:
The council sets standard childcare fees and these are based on the parents income, with lower income families paying less. The parents pay the council not the childminder. The council then employs the childminders and pays them a wage. Childcare is heavily subsidised and the council partially funds the wages themselves.
Placing children:
Each council operates slightly differently, but in general they make all the decision about placing children, and the childminders have little say. Childminders are allowed to express a preference over the ages of the children and the hours that they are willing to work, but there is no guarantee that these will be adhered to. It doesn't seem to be possible for a childminder to turn down a child because they don't 'gel'. It also seems that childminders are obliged to take on as many children as they have places available. They can't choose to look after fewer children. If a childminder has an empty space, they may also be sent adhoc children, for example if another childminder is on holiday or ill.
Salary:
There are minimum wage laws that are specific to childminders. Some councils pay the minimum amounts while others pay a little more. The statutory minimum wage is 371,41€ (£320) a month per full time child. Fully qualified childminders get a top up of £16 per month per child. The rates for part time children are less. These are gross rates and the childminder is taxed like any other employee. The salary for a childminder with 4 full time children is less than nursery workers and in line with cleaners and factory workers.
In many councils, the childminder in only paid for the number of children that they actually have. So if a childminder has 4 places available but the council is only able to place 3 children, the childminder only gets paid for 3. There are a few councils that guarantee payment for all available places, even if they have not been filled, but these seem to be few and far between. The childminders are not allowed to advertise for children themselves, so if the council has not filled all their places there is they can do to increase income.
Expenses:
In addition to the salary, the council pays a flat rate of 4.75 € (£4.09) for expenses, per child, per day. This is to cover food, utility bills, wear and tear, toys and resources and craft materials. Childminders are expected to provide breakfast, a cooked lunch and a snack each day. Most childminders say that the allowance barely covers food costs and all other expenses have to come from their own pocket. Some councils lend out buggies, cots and high chairs. Some nurseries also lend out toys. Outings are considered as optional so these expenses are not covered, neither is petrol. In some cases, parents come to a private agreement with the childminder, to contribute towards outings.
Holiday and sick leave:
Childminders are entitled to statutory paid holiday and sick leave. When a childminder is unavailable to work an alternate childcare place is guaranteed to the parents. This can be in a nursery or with another childminder.
Working time directives:
Due to EU working time laws, childminders are not supposed to work more than 40 hours per week, but this can be averaged over a longer period. In practice, most childminders work much longer hours and get additional days off to compensate. It is common for childminders to get an additional week of leave about every 3 month, on top of their statutory holiday entitlement. The council generally decides when this additional leave is taken and most publish a three monthly rota. If the minded children are away on holiday or ill, or the childminders' own children are ill then the childminder can be forced to take these days out of any additional leave that they have accumulated.
I hope this is of some interest :)
In Finland, there are two types of childminders. Some are self-employed, while others are employed by local councils. Childminders can choose which route they want to take, but they can't do both at the same time. Parents can also choose which type of childminder they want to use. Self-employed childminders work much the same way as we do in the UK. Everything that I have written below applies to the council employed childminders.
Ratios:
Childminders can look after a maximum of 4 children below school age plus one additional preschool or school aged child. Children go to preschool at age 6 and school at age 7. A childminder's own children count in the numbers until they start school at age 7.
Fees:
The council sets standard childcare fees and these are based on the parents income, with lower income families paying less. The parents pay the council not the childminder. The council then employs the childminders and pays them a wage. Childcare is heavily subsidised and the council partially funds the wages themselves.
Placing children:
Each council operates slightly differently, but in general they make all the decision about placing children, and the childminders have little say. Childminders are allowed to express a preference over the ages of the children and the hours that they are willing to work, but there is no guarantee that these will be adhered to. It doesn't seem to be possible for a childminder to turn down a child because they don't 'gel'. It also seems that childminders are obliged to take on as many children as they have places available. They can't choose to look after fewer children. If a childminder has an empty space, they may also be sent adhoc children, for example if another childminder is on holiday or ill.
Salary:
There are minimum wage laws that are specific to childminders. Some councils pay the minimum amounts while others pay a little more. The statutory minimum wage is 371,41€ (£320) a month per full time child. Fully qualified childminders get a top up of £16 per month per child. The rates for part time children are less. These are gross rates and the childminder is taxed like any other employee. The salary for a childminder with 4 full time children is less than nursery workers and in line with cleaners and factory workers.
In many councils, the childminder in only paid for the number of children that they actually have. So if a childminder has 4 places available but the council is only able to place 3 children, the childminder only gets paid for 3. There are a few councils that guarantee payment for all available places, even if they have not been filled, but these seem to be few and far between. The childminders are not allowed to advertise for children themselves, so if the council has not filled all their places there is they can do to increase income.
Expenses:
In addition to the salary, the council pays a flat rate of 4.75 € (£4.09) for expenses, per child, per day. This is to cover food, utility bills, wear and tear, toys and resources and craft materials. Childminders are expected to provide breakfast, a cooked lunch and a snack each day. Most childminders say that the allowance barely covers food costs and all other expenses have to come from their own pocket. Some councils lend out buggies, cots and high chairs. Some nurseries also lend out toys. Outings are considered as optional so these expenses are not covered, neither is petrol. In some cases, parents come to a private agreement with the childminder, to contribute towards outings.
Holiday and sick leave:
Childminders are entitled to statutory paid holiday and sick leave. When a childminder is unavailable to work an alternate childcare place is guaranteed to the parents. This can be in a nursery or with another childminder.
Working time directives:
Due to EU working time laws, childminders are not supposed to work more than 40 hours per week, but this can be averaged over a longer period. In practice, most childminders work much longer hours and get additional days off to compensate. It is common for childminders to get an additional week of leave about every 3 month, on top of their statutory holiday entitlement. The council generally decides when this additional leave is taken and most publish a three monthly rota. If the minded children are away on holiday or ill, or the childminders' own children are ill then the childminder can be forced to take these days out of any additional leave that they have accumulated.
I hope this is of some interest :)