Questions to ask childminders

[tammybear]

Im sure there was a thread about this, but Ive looked and I cant find it. Maybe Im going blind lol. But anyway, Im phoning a childminder about looking after my dd, but are there any particular questions I should ask over the phone or should I just make an arrangement to see her and ask her then?

And does anyone know what thread Im talking about or have I just imagined it? lol

[hana]

there are usually threads like that around
I have just seen a childminder to look after dd from September and these are the questions I asked

over the phone I would ask if she has the vacancy you need (specific days of the week) and if they have any pets - dh is very allergic to cats and we can't have a childminder who has them.....saw a brilliant childminder when I first went back to work - but she had 3 of them! Wish I had of asked over the phone first)

questions:

her background
-experience
-her own family (other kids/adults)
-Certification (Ofsted, First Aid, NCMA)
-smoke free? pets?

daily routine
-ages of other children she minds
-does she do school dropoffs/pickups - might be a concern if your dd will be in the car 3 or 4 times a day
-naptimes and mealtimes
-outings and activities
-suitable carseat and pushchair
-emergency arrangements

money issues
-perday/perweek
-retainer or deposit required
-payable in advance/cash or cheque
-school holidays, bank holidays, your holidays etc
-if sick what happens (both of you)
-if you're late what happens

your contract
-taking medicine, taking dd to clinic
-notice needed to leave

I don't know how old your dd is, so some questions might not apply. Good luck in going around, you will probably get a 'feeling' as with viewing a house......!

[tammybear]

wow thats really great hana, thanks. my dd is 20months