Gut feeling about childminder....am i being silly?

Another vote for gut feeling. I know of a fellow CM who had outstanding and she was dreadful to her kids (laughed at one when he bit the inside of his cheek for example)

Another one I know was rated Good yet she has had numerous complaints against her.

Go with your gut. If it does not feel right, don't do it.

The CM I chose for my son was a bit ditsy, house was a bit untidy, her child played up a bit - but she was LOVELY and my baby boy adored her and she him. The previous one I mistakenly selected was ok - house was pristine, Ofsted report was good, and she felt only OK to me - not great.

Go with your gut!

Well, I would say go with your instinct, too, if only because you need to have a trusting relationship with her.

I'm outstanding, as is DH. We are, of course, perfect and a shining example of exceptional childcare but I'd be the first to say we don't suit every parent. I would also agree don't go solely on Ofsted reports.

Don't ignore them entirely, though. I used to compile a report of recent Inspections and, although some comments were superficial, I did come across one or two that were shocking, with complaints from parents about quite serious incidents:
A nursery with 6 hygiene complaints upheld (filthy toilets, dirty children); a childminder accused of using pinching as a disciplinary method. You need to at least check the reports for complaints and use them as input to your overall impression.

I went against my gut with the first cm I chose, cm was a friend/client of my mother's so I let that override my feelings. A few months later, I had to leave as my baby hadn't settled there.

The next cm I chose interacted beautifully with my baby & my dd really took to her. the cm was quite quiet with me initially which made me a bit unsure but this was better after a couple more visits. Dd is so happy there, like one of the family.

Go with gut.

Actually, sorry I forgot to add, its not about going with or not going with gut feeling. If you feel uneasy, how will it work. You could end up getting ill with worry all day. Then when you go to pick up your child you are going to feel awfull.
I do think childminders are better than nursery though. Its more one to one, it should be like home from home too. The childminder should be more like an aunty, children are taken out doing family type things so they learn about shopping and choosing things at supermarket etc.
I have had a few friends children who have done work placements in nurseries, I am not impressed with what they tell me about what goes on, gossip about the parents, young girls without experience.
Dont trust Ofsted and dont trust CRBs. Trust you.

No, dont go with her, it wont work. You have to feel 100% happy, you have to completely trust and like her a lot.

You are an expert, you need to feel happy. I would say no dont do it. Let me know what you end up doing and Ill give you some tips if you want to go with her of what to do. Like turn up unexpectedly and things, just do it at the beginning then you have to let go if you do chose her. I dont think its a good Idea.
Forget Ofsted reports, they only care about paperwork and superficial stuff. Ask childminder if you can ring previous parents. Has she looked after children long term, thats a good sign.

Do NOT go against your gut feeling. Source child care elsewhere.

I removed my child from a childminder after a couple of trial sessions because of a gut feeling. On paper she was very good, and I felt a bit bad about it. But then about 8 years later she turned up on the front page of the local rag having driven drunk with some of her charges in the back of the car (had no sense of that at the time) so I must have sensed something!

FWIW I happily left the same child with a different childminder, so it wasn't childcare itself that was an issue.

I think you should listen to your instinct, it could be that you have picked up something - even if its just a personality conflict, and remember if you do go with her you will need to work with her closely.

However...are you sure that its her you are having problems with- could it be that your husband has taken this very important decision about your baby's care out of your hands by suggesting you use her and its affecting your emotional response to this childminder?

I know I hate being rushed into decisions, especially when I don't feel a have a totally 'free choice'.... if I were in your position (and considering a mothers overwhelming need to protect and nurture) and I was being told whats best for my child then I think I might been having the same issues as you- ie doubt.

The best nursery we have experience of doesn't have a great Ofsted report.
Definitely trust your gut. If your gut feeling is that its not the right childminder, it is almost certainly not the right childminder.

Another vote to go with your gut! And to take ofsted with a pinch of salt. Have used range of childcare from "satisfactory" to "outstanding" and they didn't match their ofsted ratings!

My cm is lovely lovely lovely and my DS was only about the third child she had ever looked after. There have been teething problems, but all minor in the scheme of things. I went absolutely on gut feeling, she's flexible, kind, accommodating and loves the children in her care. I wouldn't be able to leave DS with someone that I didn't feel 100% comfortable with. Your gut feeling exists for a reason, listen to it.

Ofsted only see a snapshot of someone.. also agree that you should go with your gut instinct.

I'm a cm and would say def go with your gut - for all the reasons listed above.

Even if she is a great childminder and your DC gets on well with her, you will also have to deal with her day to day and if you find this difficult then it won't work very well.

You need a childminder that you don't feel awkward about asking her to do things in a particular way even if it isn't her preferred way and who you feel will be flexible and work with you to ensure your child's happiness.

I'd go with your gut feeling. If you think something is wrong, then it probably is. Keep looking for someone else. What was wrong with the satisfactory one? I'd look into that a bit more.

You have to like the person who will care for your child.