I'm a minder with no mindees. I keep reading threads by others in the same boat and thought why don't we all kill our spare time and have a moan together. You never know we might even get the odd parent looking and be 'childless' no more!

i'm a minder with no mindees too!
although i have some ad-hoc work tomorrow and next week - hopefully leading to more.

to be quite honest though as much as i really do need the money - i'm loving the time off and the randomness off it.

sorry vInTa, went to bed. Have no mindees but 2 dc's of my own so was shattered! Ye it's nice to have free time but lack of routine drives me mad.

oh i'm a lack of routine kinda girl!!!

how long have you been mindee-less?

I'm actually just starting out but finding it difficult. Been advertising for about 3 months with no joy. That means I' having to keep up my job as a supply teacher in the meantime, lots of unplanned days at work and away from my own dc's, which is exactly why I wanted to become a childminder. How about you? Any luck with your adhoc work, anything more permanent on the horizon?

i'm just starting out as well, i have been advertising for over a month but with still no luck. i have gave up my job so im getting desperate now..Im in Scotland Coatbridge area.

You're not alone Gill, seems the credit crunch is hitting us 2! I gave my job up too but have been lucky enough to get some supply work. Good job too as my dh has just been made redundant. You never know maybe a mum in your area will see this thread

I don't suppose any of you CMs are in SW6 and looking for the school pick ups?

sorry Morloth - i'm in sunny devon!

ad-hoc is ok thanks - just takes the edge off poverty - lol

Sorry Morloth, not sure where SW6 is but I know it's not in (not so sunny Doncaster. Good luck all the same!

Are any of you interested in looking after a really lovely baby girl one day a week sometimes with extra days in eitherthe Walthamstow area or I could drop her on on my way to work in Faringdon so any stop on the Victoria line on theway would be ok like Highbury or Finsbury park. You can contact me at aitchyjones@gmail.com

Sorrt NKf but it's a bit of a way to come from Doncaster otherwise would love to!

Hi everyone. Im down to one mindee at the moment as I lost 2 a few weeks ago due to the credit crunch. Hopefully I might be getting them back soon as their mum thinks she has another job.

Good luck to everyone out there hit by the recession. Its a constant struggle isnt it . Hope you all get kids soon.

I just thank god that we still have a room over our heads (loads of people are losing their homes).

If anyone needs a Childminder in CA22 (Western Lakes), give me a shout.

Have a good day

Hi coolj. Thanx for your support and hope things work out for you too. I will keep my fingers crossd for you

Hi

Mumnosbest - where abouts is Donny are you.... only asking cos my childminder has just given me notice she is retiring and I need to make other arrangements for 2 for after school....

sorry - that should be "in" Donny.... not "is"

Do you have your names down in local schools ?
Ours gives out list of childminders names to parents!

Hi Kat! sorry couldn't get back sooner but dh hijacked the computer. Bad luck about your CM, I'm in Intake if that's any help to you?

thanx for tip lilyloo. got some ads at ds's school so hoping some1 will see them

hi all, i'm a childless childminder too...i've just started out and just started advertising.
and i know what mumsnobest means by lack of routine, i'm literallygoing crazy!!
if any parents out there is looking for a childminder in B65 please let me know.

Hi leonifay. Our little group is growing! Maybe you'll have some luck at finding a mum in need here. Fingers crossed!

I've got the opposite problem. I'm still in the process of registering (not sent forms off yet) and i've had 3 enquiries in as many days from the local pre-school.
It would just be my luck that by the time i've got my registration certificate they would have found and settled with other childminders.
It never rains but it pours . Problem is that they all need childminders now.
Why can't i just get one that wants to start in January?

Ah Ripeberry, sods law! Registrations a pain aint it,sooooooooooo sloooooow! Send those parents our way. Seems some parts of the country are crying out for CM's just not the parts we all live in

Ah another day and still no calls Maybe mums/dads are waiting till the weekend to start ringing round but not holding my breath! Still I'm gonna make the most of my free time with my own 2 LO's. Hope some of yoou are having more luck!

HAPPY HALF TERM!!! I now have an orange ds, orang dd and sticky orange table... we've been carving pumpkins! 1 good thing with having no mindees, imagine the mess with one more pair of hands

you never know, during the half term the calls could start flodding in. i guess we could keep our fingers crossed

Ye fingers and toes but I'm quite enjoying my free time now (when ds is at nursery and dd is asleep). Still I don't think dh will be too pleased if I'm unemployed too much longer ... or the bank manager, BT, British Gas, Waterboard.....etc.

yeah, my husbands getting the same. i see this look on his face when he gets up for work at 5am, it just screams, why do i have to work and you dont. bless him!!
can i ask a really random question??? what does dd, dc, dp, dh, ds, lo, and all these other leters that people keep putting on mean???? just when i think i'm starting to understand a random one comes out of nowhere!!!

Hi Just started out and have been advertising for 3 months with not a sing1e enquiry its driving me mad!!

Hi TZ stick with us, we can all sulk together.
leonifay. There's a list of accronyms at top of this page, next to useful stuff. The list goes on for ever! Can help you with some:dd=dear daughter, ds= dear son,dp/dh=dear partner/husband, lo=little one. Took me ages to find the list too, every time you think you've cracked it they throw another in!
I love these halloween smileys!

hi guys im a registered minder in leeds and i went through a faze of no mindees i did a really basic poster and stuck it up in my car window and within two weeks i was getting phone calls but i have left it up too try it its amazing that it works as people look as they think the car is for sale ... and also if u can get a small group together u can pass them too each other thats what we have done and we are all full come minders work together and good luck..ellex

thanx for the support missymoo. love the name, that's what we 'lovingly' call my 1yr ol dd, no idea why . I will try that 've stuck posters everywhere else so why not!

Hi all, I have one vacancy, I do have a little boy I mind 3 days a week, and want to take on another for the same days, so I can work hard for those 3 days then have the weekend off, I have been relying on the family infolink but nothing coming from that, so I will try the poster idea in my car, good idea, and cards in post office and toddler groups, or just hand out at toddler groups,hopeful to fill by xmas if I can, hey ho raining again...

thankypu and wow, some of it makes sence now!! its really random the names we give kids, i was called nomie nous for years, its nothing like my name and my 18m brother either gets called lambsy or popsie, again nothing like his name.
i've got a poaster in my car window, people look but for me no calls yet , well see what happands!!
second day of half term, mums and dads might be getting sick of their children or r3ealize that without school they actually have to takecare of them. fingers crossed

I'm another cm with no mindees - been registered since July and have had 3 enquiries! Mel

Hi Mel and Pinky , nice to see so many CMs on here but a bit depressing to think there are so many with vacancies to fill. Still lets all cheer up, make the most of having our homes to ourselves and hope November comes full of children and parents desperately seeking CMs. Failing that we can all go and sit outside begging for a penny for the guy!

penny for a guy sounds like an excelent idea!!
any more enquiries for anyone??? my fingers and toes are still crossed!

Would you believe it - had an enquiry today and the mum is coming to see me tomorrow! Perhaps there is a light at the end of the tunnel . . . . . . . .

good luck with your pp today melanie

Good luck melanie let us know how it goes!

Anyone in Twickenham? Must be registered!

Hi poshdjc! Sorry it's a bit of a way to come from Doncaster, sorry. Looks like I need to move further south to childmind. Good luck

Half Term hols are nearly over and not 1 call

Not so lonely now ladies - mum turned up and I've signed two after schools for Thur and Fri

Yeah!

Mel

Yay! Weldone Mel There's hpoe yet

any cm free for jan 2009 in bushey/hertsmere? i need after school care for 2 kids, 4 days a week.

Sorry, don't think you're anywhere near Doncaster but maybe someone else on here is nearby

yea for mel. well done

Hi, I'm looking for a CM, we're in London N16 (Stoke Newington) - anyone nearby?

Dear ChasingButterflies
What about walthamstow??? is that any near to you?

Don't know London too well (or at all) but there's a thread 'looking for a childminder', several CM's have replied to that, maybe some of them are near you. Sorry I can't help but I have my fingers crossed for you.

Hi, I started the looking for a CM thread, and am now going to have a look here too. Looking for a CM starting Feb for ds who will be 7 months, Looking for Mon/Tues in Crawley/Horley area.
Thanks

Just thought I'd sum up who's been on here so far. Sorry if I've missed you, if you tell me where you are I'll add you to the list
Childminders with spaces in:#
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65 (Birmingham???)

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley

No matches so far but we can keep trying

Hi Wearefriends!
On page 1 there was a mum looking for a CM in Walthamstow if that's where you're based. Her name is:
NKffffffff97017c4dX11d19751157

Hello. I am a childminder looking for mindees too! I did have a few lined up while I was registering but it took sooooo long. My DHs CRB took about 7 months to come through! I applied in Feb and my certificate was due to be sent out last week. Not got a good first impression of ofsted as every time I ring they say nobody has sent it out!!!

Anyway, I am in UB9 which is New Denham/Uxbridge which is right on the border of Buckinghamshire and Middlesex.

As I am not officially registered until they send out the certificate, I can't even go on the CIS list yet. We really need the money.

Hi CMJ. What a long wait! I've put you on our list too, hope your registration comes through soon
Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65 (Birmingham???)
New Denham/Uxbridge (almost registered)

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley

Can I also add N8ish(Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey)?

I'm looking for childminder with vacancy, ideally full time from Jan for my 18m old dd.

Thanks

Here's some tips.

Go on a marketing course if your council offer one. They give huge lists of tips.

Advertise in toy shops if you can.

Do a really good write up for your CIS advert (get a friend to do it if this isn't a strong point). A well written paragraph highlighting your commitment to providing the very best education and care will do wonders to the number of phone calls you get.

Be flexible if this is an option for your family. Offer Shifts (over the weekends too), short term contracts, one offs. Overnights have been a real boost to my finances.

MY BIGGEST TIP is do not mention you are newly qualified (which poses a negative image in some minds) but stess the fact that you have the LATEST TRAINING AVAILABLE. Obviously when they directly ask how long you have been qulified you must be truthfull but you dont have to advertise it.

Im a registered CM in Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25) with spaces if anyone needs them!

Hope everyone is getting some queries?

Hi everyone and thanks for the tips maggi
Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65 (Birmingham???)
New Denham/Uxbridge,
Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25)

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley
N8ish, Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey,

Thanks wearefriends, but walthamstow is just a bit too far for us - and work is in the opposite direction. but thank you!

Got talking to another CM at school today. She's going to pass my name on to a parent. Keeping my fingers, legs, toes and everything crossed that I get a call!

I'm a soon to be registered CM in the TN2 (Tunbridge Wells) area. I will have vacancies in the early new year. I've had Ofsted round and completed my course and FIrst Aid; just waiting on the CRBs which shouldn't be too much longer, if any parents are looking for childcare in this area.

If you live in or near Sheffield 8 please let me know, Im looking for someone to do school run and take care of 2 pre schoolers too.

fingers crossed for you too mumsnobest. i've started getting phone calls, no follow ups yet, but better than nothing.

B65 is dudly/sandwell/oldbury/harbourne area just outside of birmingham

Hi Tabbykat. I'll add you to our growing list

Hi alysonpeaches. You're on our list now too. You're so close to sunny donny but not quite close enough for me to help sorry

Hi leonifay! looks like things are improving all round <touches wood>. I should have known where you are. I lived in Quinton, Smethwick, Handsworth and Bearwood as a student

Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65,dudly/sandwell/oldbury/harbourne
New Denham/Uxbridge,
Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25)
TN2 (Tunbridge Wells) from Jan 2009

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley
N8ish, Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey,
Sheffield 8

If there is a childminder out there looking for a lovely one yr old girl to look after full time in London, SE19/SE21/SE25 area then get in touch !!!!

thanks

Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65,dudly/sandwell/oldbury/harbourne
New Denham/Uxbridge,
Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25)
TN2 (Tunbridge Wells) from Jan 2009
London, SE19/SE21/SE25

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley
N8ish, Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey,
Sheffield 8

Just wanted to say my reg certificate finally came through!

Hi Tabbykat and any other nearly registered CM's! Apart from ringing CRB and tracking your application on line, if you know it's the police who currently have your CRB there's nothing to stop you ringing your local police. Mine were very helpful

CRBs arrived today! - very excited. Just need one more social services check back and then hopefully can get cracking. Hope things are starting to pick up for others?

Good news tabbykat
Things looking up here, had a very positive enquiry for january, just waiting for a call back now

good luck with your pp today

Well I am finally lonely no more, well from January anyway <touches wood> . I have2 siblings starting straight after new year, which means I can enjoy a nice family Christmas first. Good luck to all you other CMs and parents, hope you have a bit of luck too

I need a CM in SE19/SE20 - Anerley/Penge

Ive had a dizzy few weeks looking for new placements. 2 kids left in 1 week, one went to school after 3 years in my care (miss him so much) and the other went suddenly due to a 'faimly situation' which meant his mum had to move out the area. Thankfully i had good parents who stuck to contract in regards to notice/payment. So looking to now fill 2 vacancies.

Had a young mum come to me with 2 kids, signed up all the papers did the settling in than decided that the process with her work placement organised through the job centre was 'long' her words lol.

So now after tunring down half a dozen calls, back on the search, back on the CIS site with advertising Immediate vacancies.

If anyone needs a minder in Lewisham,Catford, Lee, Hither Green area, give us a shout.

Good luck to all the other minders and mums looking as well

Hi CapricaSix! Glad you found us. No one so far but maybe someone local might see you on our list <fingers crossed>

Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65,dudly/sandwell/oldbury/harbourne
New Denham/Uxbridge,
Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25)
TN2 (Tunbridge Wells) from Jan 2009
London, SE19/SE21/SE25

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley
N8ish, Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey,
Sheffield 8
SE19/SE20 - Anerley/Penge

Can i be added to your lonely list I am newly registered and although i have 1 mindee its only 4 hours per week

I am in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear

x

Hi SillyMillysMummy
You're on our little list, hope you're not lonely for too much longer.
Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65,dudly/sandwell/oldbury/harbourne
New Denham/Uxbridge,
Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25)
TN2 (Tunbridge Wells) from Jan 2009
London, SE19/SE21/SE25
Sunderland, Tyne and Wear

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley
N8ish, Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey,
Sheffield 8
SE19/SE20 - Anerley/Penge

Hello everyone, sorry I was so brief before, I was sneakily typing a quick post at work!

My dd is 5.3 so is at school.

Who is it who is in SE19? Though as you also put SE21 & Se25 you're in the wrong direction to me...

It was Vangough. Don't know if she found anyone for her DD but you could always send her a message or see if she's on any other threads.

Could you add me to list of childminders with vacancies.. Im in Hither Green SE13

THANKS

mumnosbest - she's on the childminder list rather than the mum list!

OOps Thanks caprica and sorry Vangough. Better change that.

Hi PeaceNLove!
I'll add you too.You'd think we'd have a copuple of matches by now!

Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65,dudly/sandwell/oldbury/harbourne
New Denham/Uxbridge,
Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25)
TN2 (Tunbridge Wells) from Jan 2009
Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
Hither Green SE13

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
London, SE19/SE21/SE25
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley
N8ish, Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey,
Sheffield 8
SE19/SE20 - Anerley/Penge

Hello can I add myself please after another mindee left this week.

Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65,dudly/sandwell/oldbury/harbourne
New Denham/Uxbridge,
Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25)
TN2 (Tunbridge Wells) from Jan 2009
Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
Hither Green SE13
Poole, Dorset.

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
London, SE19/SE21/SE25
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley
N8ish, Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey,
Sheffield 8
SE19/SE20 - Anerley/Penge

Hi mumslove, hope things pick up for you soon

well done mumsnobest Any other childminders filled there places???

Ooops read the replies the wrong way hehe... Either way well done..

Nope, I still haven't filled any

Hi there

I'm looking for a childminder for our 4 month old twins from January/February 2009 if anyone can help. We live in central Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Beena

Dear Beena,

I am based in Tunbridge Wells (TN2) and might be able to assist. I am in the final stages of registering - I have completed my training, my Paediatric First Aid and both myself and husband have been CRB checked. We are just waiting for one final piece of paperwork from Ofsted, which they hope to send out over the next week or so. Providing that all goes ahead, then I would have vacancies early next year. If you would like to get in touch for more information, then please feel free to email me on flettkatrina at hotmail dot com

Please could all clildminders looking for kids move to plymouth! No one here wants a "part-time" 3 year old. am also self employed and wish I could turn away work!

bumpity bump

Hi can you add me please ive just lost two im in leeds 10 west yorkshire

Hi all!
Great to see this thread's still going! I've not been on for ages as I've finally started childminding . Hope 2009 brings a bit more luck for those of you who are still looking for CMs or children.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Childminders with spaces in:
10 west yorkshire
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65,dudly/sandwell/oldbury/harbourne
New Denham/Uxbridge,
Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25)
TN2 (Tunbridge Wells) from Jan 2009
Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
Hither Green SE13
Poole, Dorset.

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
London, SE19/SE21/SE25
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley
N8ish, Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey,
Sheffield 8
SE19/SE20 - Anerley/Penge
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Plymouth

hi please can i be added to your list. i am in bexley kent and have vacancys due to parents been made reduntant. thankyou

i am new to childminding and also have no children to look after, i have been advertising for over a month and nothing. i stop being paid 20th jan so really need to get some work.
can i be added to your list please.
GU24(brookwood,woking and surrounding areas.)
thank you

Me too, TN12 (marden) Kent Please- full time over one year space

Hi could you add me? I am a CM going through the last stages with OFSTED. had checks ect done and have P. first Aid all ready to go very soon. I am in Purley, Croydon,Surrey Thanks.