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From the content of Marilyn Mills's letter (Letters, 14 February), her knowledge and understanding of childminding appears to be limited and simplistic. Sole charge of six children! No thanks! As a registered childminder, the three under-fives we are permitted by Ofsted are plenty for me. Perhaps Ms Mills is thinking of school-age children who are not in the childminder's care between 9am and 3.30pm for 40 weeks of the year. Perhaps she thinks we get paid while they are at school. We don't. As for 3 per hour, I wish! It's nearer to 2 per hour for most childminders. I live in a fairly affluent area, and most childminders earn 2 to 2.50 per hour when rates are averaged out over a 50-hour week.

Sole charge of six children! No thanks! As a registered childminder, the three under-fives we are permitted by Ofsted are plenty for me. Perhaps Ms Mills is thinking of school-age children who are not in the childminder's care between 9am and 3.30pm for 40 weeks of the year. Perhaps she thinks we get paid while they are at school. We don't. As for 3 per hour, I wish! It's nearer to 2 per hour for most childminders. I live in a fairly affluent area, and most childminders earn 2 to 2.50 per hour when rates are averaged out over a 50-hour week.

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