Siblings are often a childminder's favourite families: one drop-off, one set of parents, and children who already know each other. Whether you offer a discount, and how you write it, is up to you.
One contract or two
Give each child their own contract, or their own place details within one agreement. Each child has their own days, hours, funded hours and start date, and one may leave long before the other. Separate records make notice and changes far simpler.
Sibling discounts
Some childminders take a percentage off the second child's private hours, often 5 or 10 per cent. Others don't discount at all, because each child takes a full place in their ratios. If you offer one:
- Say what it applies to: private hours only, never funded hours or extras.
- Say which child gets it, usually the one with fewer hours.
- Say what happens when one sibling leaves.
GoChildmind doesn't have a sibling discount option yet, so set each child's rates to the discounted price, or note the discount in your fees.
Ratios and siblings
The EYFS lets childminders care for more than one child under one where the children are siblings, as long as you can meet their needs safely. My ratios guide has the detail.
Questions people ask
Do childminders have to offer a sibling discount? No. It's your choice. Many don't, because each child uses a full place.
Can a discount apply to funded hours? No. Funded hours are already free to parents, so any discount can only apply to private hours.