choosing a childminder

[imajenarry]

i'm meeting my prospective childminder for the 1st time this week.i know it's mainly commonsense and instinct on meeting her and seeing her home but being a first time mum any suggestions to anything i should look out for or any particular questions i should ask her?thankyou.

[curiosity]

Hi there, it depends on the age of your child, how many children they get to see in your family, how much mollycodling they get from grandmas etc, e.g my child minder is a wonderful grandma type person, who takes kids to the shops in prams, lets them watch tele, eat greggs sausage rolls, play, bake cakes, but all in her house or local area. Great for my daughter who had been to nursery from 3 months to 3 year old and needed a break! But maybe not so great for a child from 3 months to 3 years, ask does she go to toddler groups etc and also what food to they get apart from greggs sausage rolls! LOL my daughter loves it. But I have to make up, it's ok for me now, she takes her to school and back, but my daughter loves the whole gang of kids thing with her.

[lynlockwood]

I tried to find an environment that was as similar to mine as I could ie reasonably clean house, healthy food, etc. Ask for references and Ofsted registration. What hours will she work? Is there a retainer over summer breaks? How flexible is she? How long have other children stayed with her and why did they leave? It is down to persoanl instinct though- I met several childminders before I met Sue and despite some reservations (eg her two noisy sons and a licky dog) she turned out to be wonderful and she is still a good friend even though my daughter is now at school. Good luck.

[scoobydooby]

Just remember that you're the one calling the shots. You're interviewing the childminder, not the other way around! Don't make a decision there and then (some are very quick to get the paperwork out), go home and think about it. I knew someone (worked part time with) who I thought would be perfect. However, when I got to her house, the younger children she was looking after were running around in just their nappies, covered in sticky stuff (probably juice) and the hairs from her dog! Very awkward but I made a quick exit and said I'd changed my mind about having a childminder after all - relatives were going to help.

[ayla99]

Read the registration certificate (you shouldn't have to ask; childminders are now required to display) and ask to see the full Ofsted Inspection report (recent reports can now be viewed online www.ofsted.gov.uk).

Ask for references; she may have letters from other parents or if not she should be able to give you telephone numbers of past/present parents to contact. Ask to see the areas where your child will eat/sleep/nap etc.

If possible take your partner/friend/mum with you so you can compare ideas (and while one of you is talking the other is quietly observing). If the minded chlidren are old enough ask them what they do/like about going to Childminder. You can get a helpful booklet from www.ncma.org.uk. Before you go, make a list of whats important to you (provision of meals, driving/pickups, flexibility etc)

scooby - the interview is 2-way - the childminder will be deciding whether or not to offer a place as well as the parent deciding whether they wish to apply for a place.

[scoobydooby]

Sorry Ayla, I meant that as far as the parent is concerned, it is their decision. I realise that the childminder has a say on the matter but, in reality, if the parent is going to pay on time and the kids are well enough behaved, there aren't that many childminders who would turn down the work. It's a job after all. I was trying to make the point that the childminder HAS to be right for the parent. Not necessarily the same applies to the other way around unfortunately. Having said that, I admire anyone who can do this job properly - I know I couldn't!