Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

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

Original poster

What clinched the deal when you picked your childminder?

29 replies

BeatrixRotter · 11/06/2009 13:07

I have met with quite a few and have found 2 childminders I would be really happy to leave DD with.

Location wise they are about equal, both loving homes and have good ofsted reports. They both have other children around.

One has a garden and goes to more toddler groups. But she is very expensive.

The other has no garden and does more school runs etc rather than toddler groups. She is in a flat rather than a house and is much cheaper.

I just wondered what clinched it for you? I don't want to make the decision on cost alone although it may come down to that.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
holdingittogether · 11/06/2009 13:20

Garden would be very important to me. With regards to cost I would advise you check what is included in the price, maybe the more expensive one is all inclusive and the cheaper one charges extra for food and outings??

dietstartstomorrow · 11/06/2009 13:18

Speaking from a CM's POV, I would go with the expensive lady. Having a garden and going to lots of groups will benefit your DD loads.

How expensive is she? What's the hourly rate?

Original poster
BeatrixRotter · 11/06/2009 13:16

The more expensive lady has a young son who was very well behaved and semed a sweet kid. The other lady has teenaged children who I met. They also seemed lovely and were keen to smile and interact with my DD.

OP posts:
hatwoman · 11/06/2009 13:13

for me it was the cm's son. he was (and still is) a delight. polite but not overly restrained, iyswim. comfortable in adult company,aware he needed to let the grown ups talk, but still able to interact. it was a good choice too - he loved having dd and still, at the age of about 15 now, will get on his hands and knees giving kids a ride on his back, and then jump up and talk to adults like a smashing young man.