Meeting childminder in an hour. What do I ask?

[Windthebobbinalready]

Posting for traffic. I left this really last minute 🙈

I’m really new to this and she’s the first childminder I have met. I have no idea what to ask!

I don’t know what I need to know.

Holidays- how much does she take, does she charge full price. Bank holidays.
Sickness- how many days has she had in the past few years. Does she have contacts for emergency childcare?
Day to day activities
Are snacks/lunch provided?

How many other children she has? What does she do about nap times? What time can you drop off/pick up?

Amazing thank you!

The question about having a network of childminders around her is a very valid one. It means that if the childminder is off sick or hols they can usually find one of their colleagues to help out if you ask them.
Does she charge if she is on hol? I would work on the basis that she will charge if your child doesn’t attend if you choose to keep them home for hols or sickness but childminder holidays can vary.
Does she take a deposit to secure the space?
How much notice to change/end contract?
Sickness policy...often these are quite similar to nurseries & are in place to protect everyone but you need to know what these look like
Does she charge extra for activities?

Ask about late fees ie if they charge if you are stuck in traffic etc. Lots of childminders do to try to prevent parents being late.
How do they share info with you ie online system, quick chat at the end of the day, paper trackers. All childminders follow the eyfs but share info in different ways
Copy of ofsted report if you’ve not seen it although please take these with a pinch of salt as ofsted always need to find some recommendations for them to work towards.
What do you need to supply ie nappies suncream etc

Above all, please respect whoever you chose. Some people really take childminders for granted & there is sooo much involved in being one that people just don’t see & they are looking after the most precious thing you own 😀

Good luck in your search.

Oh also, go and see at least 2 more so you get a real feel for them x

Re:holidays our first ever childminder took paid holiday - 4 weeks a year (which we paid for). The first summer we used her she advised she was taking 2 weeks paid and then 2 further weeks unpaid. We hadn't factored that in and had to find alternative options for 4 weeks, so felt that was a bit cheeky of her. So do ask if she takes unpaid leave.
Also, does she have children of her own and if so what age are they? If they are primary age what does she do when she has a meeting at the school /assembly etc. Is she happy for your child to accompany her (and are you?)
Lastly definitely ask about her network and what a typical week looks like. My current childminder is in a network of 3 or 4 others. It is great, they have a great weekly timetable of outings and it means the children mix with others. Plus also i have some fall back options if for whatever reason my childminder cannot work.
Good luck.