arranging a childminder

[millsy]

I am going back to work in a few weeks and am looking to organise a registered childminder for my little boy. I have arranged to meet one at her home with my husband, and was just wondering what you guys think about questions we should ask her. We've thought of the obvious like ensuring it's a smoke free environment, how many other children will be there, how will she provide a stimulating environment, which other family members are in the house etc, but we would also like references. Is it acceptable for us to ask for references? Have any of you mums and dads done this? Just any ideas would be really great, thanks in anticipation.

[popsycal]

definitely ask fro references - mine provided them before i asked for them as wel as contact details for these references
good luck
ask what they do each day - toddler groups, daily routine etc

[alibubbles]

millsy, I am a childminder, contact me if you wish and I will send you a list of things to look for and ask about, or have a look at my website here

[Momof2]

Am a bit new here and don't know how to post links, but there is a few that I have cut and pasted
What is your approach to bad behaviour? How would you encourage good behaviour in a child? Would the age of the child make any difference? What do you think of as bad behaviour?

? What are your favourite foods for children? What is a typical meal for the children? Do you allow them to snack or have sweets?

? Can you describe a typical day to me? Do you have other children to pick up from school? How do you get there?

? What sort of activities do you do with the children? Can you give me some examples?

I also asked mine about holidays - paid or unpaid, sickness of my DD and what would happen if cm was poorly.
Hope this helps

[alibubbles]

I've found my list, I'll post it for the benefit of everyone looking for childcare.

How long have you been working with children?

What training have you had? Any qualifications? Are you part of a network, done a quality assurance programme, look at registration certificate, insurance details, business use for car. Contracts and record forms

Do you enjoy being with children and why?

Can I look around, see the rooms and outside play space? If there is no outside play space - how will you make sure my child gets the chance to play outside?

Where will my child rest?

What kind of food and drink will you give? Can I see a menu?

What will my child do all day?

How do you encourage good behaviour?

Will my child be with a regular group of children? How old are they? How will their timetable fit in with my child?

How will you make sure I know how my child is getting on?

What hours is she open?

How much does she charge?

What about when my child is sick, holidays, days off

What do you do in an emergency?

When was her last Ofsted, can you see the report?
Top 10 Quality Pointers

When you visit possible childcare options, look for these Quality Pointers:

Are the children calm, safe, happy and busy?

Do children play and talk together?

Is the childminder listening to the children and answering them carefully?

Is the childminder friendly and proud of her work?

Is she joining in joining in with what the children are doing?

Are there lots of fun activities planned to help children learn and play? Can children plan some of these activities themselves?

Are there plenty of clean toys and equipment for children to use?

Is the premises clean, well kept and safe for children with a fun outside play area (or will the child go to parks and other places regularly)?

Do parents have plenty of chances to say what they want for their children?

If there are other things you want to know, don't be afraid to ask. Good childminders expect you to ask questions and will be happy to answer them.

Always take up references. You could ask for names of other parents to talk to about the service
Listen to your child and find out more if he/she is unhappy
Always trust your own feelings about your childcare - you know your child best. Good luck

Most chiuldminders who are proud of what they do will be pleased to share everything with you.

Just a lttle boast -I had my Ofsted on Tuesday, I got a good, the highest you can get, but I also was awarded and excellent for an area of outstanding practice, Care , Learning and Play. something the inspector has only awarded once before in 2 years!

[Northerner]

Alibubbles - just want to say how great your website is. Very informative and professional. Creates a fab first impression.

[StressyHead]

message withdrawn

[Momof2]

alibubbles, am looking at going into childminding myself in the summer - have attended the ICP course and currently gettting the house up together for the inspection. Can I bother you for any tips?

[motherinferior]

The National Childminders Association has a good booklet on 'choosing childcare' and questions to ask but basically I think AB - congratulations, btw!!! - has covered them all1

I only have experience of my own childminder but these are some of the things I value about her: she works in childcare (doesn't just have one or two along in her house, she takes her job really seriously); the children do lots of stuff; she's well networked into the area and does things with other childminders; there's a really nice mixture of structure and family atmosphere...oh, I could go on for ages. Good luck!

[alibubbles]

momof2, of course you can ask me! I am a mentor for new childminders in Herts, so I am used to calls and emails. Contact through my website or contact another talker.

Thanks for the praise MN's!

[melsmum]

i started looking for childminders before i even gave birth i was so anxious! first of all i visited the local council website (fife) which had a list of all the registered childminders in the area, and a little bit about themselves, then i phoned 2 or 3 and arranged to visit them in their own house. my now childminder stood out from all the rest. she had a full house of 2 to 11 year olds who were all very friendly and when i got their she showed me around, including where babies could nap and where they could have their lunch etc. she also asked me loads of questions about my dd which i thought was good. i had only planned on staying 30 mins but i was there all morning and we got on so well. the best bit was when i passed my dd to her for a wee cuddle and my dd fell asleep on her knee! that sold it for me. my dd obviously felt safe with her.

[Gem13]

millsy - you don't say whether you are going to see her when she has children with her. I would definitely recommend this as you could see how natural she and the children were with each other.

When I went to see a couple, one of them had bigger children playing in another room and she was quite happy chatting to me over a cup of tea in the front room. I felt my 11 month old might be a bit forgotten (neglected is too strong a word). The other one however, talked to me but was completely aware of what the children were doing (they were in the same room) and when they asked her a question or looked distracted she gave them her attention. They in turn were really relaxed with her but well behaved.

As DS is a very good sleeper I was keen to learn how his long naps would fit into her routine with collecting other children from school and where he would sleep.

It's a worry but you have to go on your instincts. If the childminder is good, she won't mind your questions at all.

Good luck!

[melsmum]

read alibubbles list below its fantastic

[millsy]

Thanks to all of you for your messages, especially to allibubbles for your very detailed list of what to ask/look out for. It was very useful to refer to when we met our potential childminder. Thanks - your time and consideration is much appreciated.

[alison222]

bump for Rabitrabit
Alibubbles has a big list in this thread