What to ask potential childminder?

[Janusrock]

I'm currently looking for a childminder I can leave DD with when I go back to work. She'll be 9 months. I'm absolutely dreading this so would like to make sure she's in good hands. I'm going to meet a few potential childminders this week- what sort of questions should I ask? What do I need to look out for? How do I check qualifications? What sort of rates are reasonable in SE England?

..also, I won't need childcare in the school holidays. What is the norm with this- will I need to pay to hold her space?

CM should be able to show Ofsted registration, DBS clearance and first aid cert.

I would ask: what their usual routine is e.g. school runs, play groups, trips out etc..

What kind of food they prepare, when/where your child will nap.

I would ask about how they ensure children are stimulated and progressing. What records they keep and how they will share them with you.

What hours they work. Do they work school holidays. What days/hours they have available.

If you have anything specific to you/your child bring that up e.g. allergies, can we leave a pushchair at your house during the day, child will only nap in a cot etc...

And just get a general feel for each setting. Trust your gut.

Re your last question you get CMs who work term time and CMs who work all the time. If you don't need summer hols I would still expect you to pay full price through summer to the latter. In my experience retainers are only paid to hold a place until you take it up not mid contract. With the former I would expect only to pay during term time.

Having said that child minders are all running their own businesses with different contracts, so it may well differ so worth asking each one you see.

I charge a half fee retainer for teachers and students in the holidays. It is a fair compromise in my opinion.

I'd ask how many other kids will be there, and what ages. What activities they do. How they handle bad behaviour. Whether they can collect from nearby schools when the baby is older. What access to a garden they would have. What are their terms around holiday (theirs and yours).

My dc love our childminder like a family member and are very happy there.

Pretty much agree with everything PP have said, I pay £6.20ph and I'm in the SE too. I did see people ranging from £5 up (I went with the most expensive - because I liked her the best, not because she was the most expensive!). I pay half rate for holidays (both mine and hers). I can book up to 4 weeks, and she can book up to 4 weeks, I also pay (half rate) on bank holidays.

For me, I asked for references, basic day, foods, about other children; including how many children she has at once. I didn't ask but maybe should have about additional costs for things (she occasionally does activities which are extra, I have no issue with this but others might).

Again, I personally asked her how she would deal with things discipline wise and how she would deal with my DS who was rocked to sleep (shes got him into such a good routine now I'm jealous, he still acts up for me!).

But in all honesty I walked into her house, watch how she interacted with the children in her care and my DS and liked her straight away. I made the decision to use her by a feeling I got. I haven't doubted my decision at all (he's been with her for a year), she is absolutely brilliant.

Final question - check if they accept childcare vouchers if you want to use these.

All of the above, and whether they follow the eyfs. I found it invaluable to see his progress as he was achieving things.

Wow, thanks for the comprehensive answers. Very much appreciated everyone