Childminder help

No, a good childminder won't think you're horrid at all. I prefer the more thorough parents because I know they understand fully what they're signing up for and there are less likely to be issues that way. I always encourage parents to look through the contract properly too to make sure they fully understand my terms. To be honest, questions will be the same for childminders and nurseries as we are inspected by the same people to the same standards.

Don't rule out a nursery either with an under 2's room. Pros and cons for both type of childcare. Bear in mind in a larger care environment no one is trying to be main care giver and if one member of staff is ill they find another. Speak to your health visitor they can recommend local people and things to bear in mind and point you in the direction of funding help.

Blimey, I wouldn't have imagined accent would be top of the list!

I'm a childminder myself and apart from the setting itself being clean and well stocked with resources, I would expect parents to want to see all my relevant certificates and paperwork (you'd be surprised how few ask for this), I'd ask what their daily and weekly routine looks like (where they go and what activities they do), what food do they provide? How do they give you information? Make sure you look at copies of their last inspection. Don't be scared to ask for references too if you want. Look for someone open and honest and happy to provide you with as much information as you need.

Accent and grammar

Cleanliness of house and resources for the children

Just the vibe you get off the childminder when you meet them.

When I visited them, I ruled out some straight away, and others I warmed to immediately.