Childminder monthly pay to help 'precarious' incomes

The changes will mean childminders can choose to receive money monthly from the county council

A council in Surrey is to start offering childminders the choice of monthly payments rather than two each term.

It comes after a county councillor called for the change to reduce financial worries for the workers.

Eber Kington said a childminder had told him that having the choice of payments would mean they could do their jobs "without worrying how or when we will be able to pay our mortgages".

Surrey County Council said it was in the process of moving to a new software system from September.

In England, all three and four-year-olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week, while some two-year-olds also get funded places.

The payments relate to money given to childminders for funded places, and are currently paid via an estimate payment of 60% at the start of each term.

A follow up payment of the remaining 40%, plus any adjustments, is made by the half term, as well as every month for any new joiners.

'Live precariously'

Helen Donohoe, chief executive of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years, said childminders' income was made "more precarious" by having to balance their books with termly payments.

The organisation represents more than half of childminders in England and Wales, who Ms Donohoe said provide crucial and flexible care.

She added: "Childminders do not have a huge profit margin. Lots of them live precariously, barely giving themselves the minimum wage."

Surrey County Council's cabinet member for children, Clare Curran, said the authority would confirm a timeframe for offering monthly payments.

The council said the Department for Education had also run a consultation on payment schedules, and it was awaiting publication of these results.