What could I expect to earn?

[Cybes]

I know this is probably a question that could have many answers, but on average, how much could a childminder expect to earn, if they work say 3 days a week, and do school drop-offs and pick-ups on 5 days a week?
Thanks,

[Rick]

I know this is probably a question that could have many answers, but on average, how much could a childminder expect to earn, if they work say 3 days a week, and do school drop-offs and pick-ups on 5 days a week?
Thanks,

How long's a piece of string

Work out what hourly fee you would like to charge then do say an average of 7 hours per child during the day and 2 or 3 hours for schoolies. You may or not be able to get three children on the three days you wish to work, it doesn't always work out.

[AliceK]

A lot less than you think. After taking off all your expenses you might be surprised. I have not yet in 4 yrs earnt enough to pay tax and I work over 50hrs a week but my outgoings are immense

xxx

[funemnx]

You could work out a rough idea of your maximum potential earnings....

Say you open 7.30-5.30 and have 3 children all of those times (it doesn't always work out that way though)

10 hours x 3 days x 3 children = 90 hours @ hourly rate = ?

Then schoolies 7.30-9.00 and 3.00-5.30

4 hours x 5 days x 3 children = 60 hours @ hourly rate = ?

That's the most you could earn every week

Sometimes it takes ages to get that many - all of my 14 children are part-time, shorter hours - some schoolies are mornings only, some are after school only and so on....

[Rick]

I've always been very lucky having one parent who works from home and is flexible, so any enquiries that come in I can factor this flexible parent into the equation and move if necessary.

[Zoomie]

I prefer to have just preschoolers, so my bench mark is 3 children, 5 days a week (so about 15 spaces).

I have 8 spaces taken .... so am only just over half capacity

[dawnn93]

It really depends as Sind have says you might get enquiries some may want different days
I have 6 children coming over 5 days done part time some after schoolers
If you want to work a set 3 days and have 3 under 5 spaces available and 3 before & fated schoolers I would be 3x£90 =£270 + 3 x £45 = £135 total earnings of £405 but the likelihood of 6 ppl wanting all the same days would be hard
Good luck!

[clairer]

I have been child minding two years and have not yet managed Dawn's figures in my area there is a lot of competition. As you gain children you lose others so earnings seem to stay on the low side.

And as the other's have said the outgoings are huge- toys, crafts, cleaning products, petrol, days out, lighting, heating, phone bills, repairs for damaged items in the house!

[Cybes]

Thanks everyone. It gives me an idea. It's good to hear about the expenses side of it, as I hadn't really factored that in - but it should still be ok for me.
Thanks again.

[dawn100]

I have known quite a few childminders set up in my area to not last a year because they over estimate what they can earn. One worked out that by looking after 3 children x £4.50 (my local all inclusive rate) = £13.50 p/h x 10 hours a day £135 x 5 =£675 p/w x 48 weeks = £32,400 she thought expenses might come to just over £2000 a year but she soon found out that most people that use childminders in my area want shorter days then 10 hours on average 7 hours a day that is already a loss of £9,720 a year and then she had 2 days where she only had one child a never had anyone who wanted just two days her original figure of earnings of 30,000 after expenses ended up being well less than £10,000, so she packed it in. My advice would be to work out your max possible earnings then at least half it, as it can take a while to fill all your spaces if you do ever fill them all. I know I could earn more working else where but by doing this job I am around for my kids and I don't have to pay childcare so I'm happy even though I might not be earning a great wage!

[gef918]

I earned £800 in September, however due to children leaving my November income is only £300. Unfortunately, you can't rely on a steady income in this job!