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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

How do you choose a childminder, when there is only one available

30 replies

Debbiethemum · 07/01/2007 22:25

That's pretty much it.
I have called every childminder in this town on the childcare.gov list and they are all full, or cannot do the school run. I have found someone, one of the childminders whom I rang suggested and I am seeing her tomorrow after school.
So I have a choice of 1
I must admit she sounded nice over the phone so I am just crossing my fingers.
BTW - that is 47 childminders I have called !!!
I am feeling paranoid

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Original poster
Debbiethemum · 07/01/2007 22:49

Oh, I should say my last childminder gave me notice before Christmas (when we stopped) - nothing that I did wrong by the way. Also I did persuade work to let me work from home till the 15th, as it is very quiet at the moment.
I do have a friend who could help out for a couple of weeks and I would use a combination of her and working from home (please, please) if I had to for a bit longer.
I just want to settle the children with someone nice.

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Original poster
Debbiethemum · 07/01/2007 22:44

I don't think she is that new as the childminder who suggested her said she had two new vacancies. If she was new that wouldn't bother me as she has two boys who are older than mine (8 & 11 I think) so she has childcare experience.
I cannot really afford a nanny as she would have to be live-out. Nursery might be OK for dd, but ds is at school so would have to split them up which I don't really want to have to do.
There was one other childminder about 5 miles away, but she doesn't do food. I cannot do the packed lunch every day for a picky eater, especially as ds has school dinners.

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Cwmbranchildminder · 07/01/2007 22:38

yeah def - wish i was in your area.Lots of cm experience the oposite.
Mayb that cm with a space is a new CM. That could be a question to ask?How come she has a space?is she new?When did the last child leave?
If you dont feel 100% happy with her mayb you should try another option like nursey or nanny!

Original poster
Debbiethemum · 07/01/2007 22:34

Hertfordshire.
If I ever get made redundant, I may well have to become a childminder. As to me it sounds like guaranteed income!

OP posts:
Cwmbranchildminder · 07/01/2007 22:30

wow that is mad - wat area are u?

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