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Original poster

Why is it so difficult...?

104 replies

HappyDaddy · 20/09/2007 18:38

Why is it so difficult to find a local childminder, who is available to do the nursery run and look after dd until dw or i get home?

All DW and I want to do is be able to work successfully. It seems impossible as ALL the childminders on the council list are a) not local b) not flexible (despite advertising as such) or c) clearly not interested in being childminders (so why advertise!?).

Our previous childminder goes to college in the evenings so no longer available, current childminder is wonderful but has fragile health.

Why is it so difficult?

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motherinferior · 20/09/2007 18:55

I'm really sorry, HD, but those do look like unusual hours for a childminder to work - IME they're usually eight till six. I do sympathise. DP and I do shifts - one goes in early to come back early - on the days I work in an office, but I know that option isn't open to everyone.

Original poster
HappyDaddy · 20/09/2007 18:54

We are in Rochester, Kent.

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Original poster
HappyDaddy · 20/09/2007 18:53

The hours we require are listed as standard by a lot of the listed minders. When yo ring them they say "oh, no I don't do those hours".

I appreciate they can work as long or as short hours as they want but it's driving me insane trying to find anyone.

We'd need 7.30 to 8.15, as DD nursery opens at 8.15. And 5.30 to about 7pm, from when nursery closes til I get home.

DW and I both work in london so need to get trains, hence the hours. Also we've only called minders who advertise that they are available to go to local nurseries.

It's very frustrating.

OP posts:
nannynick · 20/09/2007 18:49

It should not be so difficult, but local circumstances may mean that council lists are out of date, that local childminders are full or not wanting to fill all their places, that local childminders won't work the hours you require etc. Childminders run their own business, so they can do that however they like. The council (Children's Information Service) is purely a listing agent, which like all listing agents relies on up-to-date data.

Where are you located? Perhaps there is a Mumsnet Childminder in your area with a vacancy.

How flexible are you requiring someone to be... could it be that the hours you are wanting as just not an attractive business proposition. Feel free to post the hours you require, if you would like feedback regarding if the hours you propose would be viable for a childcare business (in this case a childminder).