"Childminders are cheaper and more flexible than nurseries, even though they follow the same EYFS standards for education, learning and development."

I keep coming across the above statement, or something similar, on various Mummy discussion boards, publications and in conversation.

So, simple question: how true is it?

Do you lovely CMs really:-
  • Charge less than local nurseries and other EY childcare providers?
  • Offer more genuine flexibilty? (.....and it might help to know specifically what you mean by that vague term.)
  • Provide comparable or better standards of learning and development?


Moreover, assuming we can broadly say "yes" to the above...... why then do we offer clients more than our sector competitors (nurseries) and deliberately choose to charge less money?

Thoughts welcome; over to you........