What to look for in a childminder

swizzle_2

Might be going back to work in sept, after 6 years at home, I must be mad, but the thought of some money is nice, plus kids driving me mad.

Anyway, I will need to find a child minder for youngest 3 1/2, to pick him up from playgroup and have him until 2.30pm.

I have rung around and found 2 who can take him, but what do I need to look for?
Any pointers or questions to ask them?

Thanks

Savvy_Sue

Do you like them?

What do they do with the kids?

See what toys they have, how stimulating things look.

What about the other children they care for?

Food - do you send it or does she supply it?

then onto the formal: contracts - do you pay when you're on holiday? when they're on holiday? how much notice on each side? charges? sickness - theirs, yours, the child's.

Some minders operate in a network, that means that if one is sick, another may be able to take your child at short notice. (I think Ofsted let them go slightly over numbers for a short period, in that kind of situation. It's strictly limited if they do.) That can be useful!

childminder should show you her registration and insurance certificates, also any training she's done. Don't be afraid to ask. Or to ask for other mums you can contact if you don't already know anyone using them.

Plasticman

Also ask if they look after any other children and if it would be OK to contact the parents. You can't beat a recommendation.

The formal contract stuff that Savvy_Sue listed is really important to confirm from the start. You could be left with problems if it is not clear. Proper insurance and registration is essential.

The most important thing is that your child likes the childminder and is happy.

Moorepart

The best child minder you get is in family,mine was my mother,sometimes my aunt,weekends my sister,and it worked wonders,reminder a child needs a proper guidance;)

Savvy_Sue

Moorepart wrote:

The best child minder you get is in family,mine was my mother,sometimes my aunt,weekends my sister,and it worked wonders,reminder a child needs a proper guidance;)

That's great, if your family a) live near enough and b) have the time and energy to do it for you. I'm quite sure that if swizzle had the choice of using her family and wished to do so, she wouldn't have asked the question.

And not all family will give a 'proper' guidance - my parents no more share my views about life the universe and everything than you do mine.

OK, let's add to the advice: if you have strong religious or cultural views which you need your childminder to respect - avoiding pork or beef, grace before meals, a kosher kitchen - make sure you check them out in advance. In general you should find that childminders are trained to respect cultural diversity and not to impose their beliefs or norms on our children. Moorepart may not approve of this, but unless you are going to home-school or send them to a private faith school, you'd better get used to it before they start nursery or playgroup or mixing anywhere out of the home.

MommaCC

When chosing a childminder I always took my children with me. I could then see how comfortable they felt with the childminder and the other children.

Also ask about school holidays, what do they do to occupy them during this time? Some arrange trips and visits.

swizzle_2

Thanks for all that, went to see someone last night, but a bit hard as she has not had any other children yet, so can not ask other parents.

She has a little girl 18 months, so if she did have my little one, there would be just the 2 of them, as she can have 2 under 5.

I will be working term time so hols not a problem.

Going to see someone else next week, then I choose between the 2, I will take the little one to meet then before I make my final decsion.

The childminder will be earning more than me, that if after I have paid childcare/petrol and parking.
I ask myself and you on this board is it worth it? Although in 16 months he will be in full time school and so no childcare costs.
I`ve got headache now.

MommaCC

If you will be in receipt of tax credits / child tax credits you can also claim for assistance towards child care fees

Savvy_Sue

swizzle wrote:

The childminder will be earning more than me, that if after I have paid childcare/petrol and parking.

Oh please don't start me on this! My friends used to say that kind of thing, so I used to reply "Well if the money's so good why don't you become a childminder?" Funnily enough, none of them wanted to.

I'm not, and never have been a childminder. I'm not actually that fond of children. I love my own to bits, and I've always done my best, but I recognise that I'm not a 'natural'. If you can find a good childminder, she will be worth her weight in gold.

Also remember that she too has expenses! Even if she charges you for extras like trips to the zoo, even if you supply all the food and drink and nappies your child uses, she will have expenses! If she earns enough she will pay tax and NI, she will have insurance, registration, training courses, membership of professional - yes professional! - organisation, record books, phone calls, letters etc etc etc. She will spend time outside caring time keeping her records up to date. She will replace her stock of toys. Her home will have a full set of safety equipment. Her home will suffer more wear and tear.

And the chances are she will supply the drinks, fruit, snacks etc. And pay the bus fares for any trips they make, or not charge you for her petrol if they go to a park they can't walk to, or pay the fees if she also takes them to a mums and toddlers group or other play activity. (Those are all things you need to check, btw, also use of her car if she has one - are you happy with that? Will you need to supply a car seat or does she have a suitable one?)

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go off on one, please don't take offence, but don't assume that just because you are paying your childminder more than you feel you are 'taking home' after you've taken off YOUR expenses that that money is all hers to spend! It isn't!

swizzle_2

I know that the childminder will have expensers, and i`m not taking offence.

I`m just thinking is it worth it?

I did think about becoming a childminder myself-but sure I`m not cut out for it. I love my 2 children and would not change the last 6 years for anything, but I don`t want anymore full or part time.

Counting_Pennies_2

I would ask around the playground for recommendations, always a good way to find people.

Most childminders have a month settling in period, use that to make sure you are happy. Your child is old enough to articulate it to you, so talk about what they have done that day etc.

Perhaps ask if you could leave your child with each childminder for a few hours to play.

In respect of the childminder who hasn't any children yet, I wouldn't discount her, my childminder had just qualified and she is fantastic with my son, and have had the benefit of 4 months without any other kids before she took on another. But also ensure she is happy with such a short amount of hours and isn't looking to take on some full-timers and give you notice when she gets them.