I do think £45 for a childminder is a little low and depends how many hours you need. Nurseries tend to be cheaper per hour and do breakfast, lunch and tea if needed so they can prove extremely valuable from a convenience point of view. Dont forget that you can if eligible use childcare vouchers so that you pay prior to your tax deduction on your salary and if part time but in excess of 16 hours per week you might be eligible for Child Tax credit- childcare element which can be substantial if you are on a low income. It can all take ££££'s off your monthly bill. Which is worth having!