Childminders - what to look for?

[Greatbunch]

I have posted on childcare but posting here for more opinions.
We have a son who will be needing a childminder for 3 days a week when i return to work in March. He will be 8 months old.
We have arranged to visit a few this week who i liked from childcare.co.uk, and have a list of basic questions. E.g, daily routines, mealtimes, adults the children might be around etc.
What are some less obvious things i should be looking for when we visit their homes? Any questions i should be asking?
He is our PFB so really want to make sure this person is right for us (we are also a bit clueless about all this).Thanks!

SAHM here. I’d go to a few groups the CMs go to, and see how they interact with the kids.

I'd want to know about access to outdoor space, and what activities they do. I agree with the advice to see how they interact with their mindees and playgroups.

What meals are included? Is there space to go for a nap? Does she have appropriate cat seats?

Thanks all! Would it bother you if they were registered with Ofsted and my local council but were still awaiting inspection?

They won’t be able to take your child on until they have completed their registration. I’m presuming that they anticipate this would be done before you need the care. They aren’t officially a registered childminder until their prereg with either ofsted or a childminding agency.
Other things to ask about are if they charge for hols, if they are networked with other minders who could potentially provide help if your childminder is unable to work, letters of recommendation (obvs not applicable for newly registered). Ultimately you can read the ofsted reports but you will get a feel for them. Maybe ask if they accept payment by funding if you anticipate you will be eligible for this from age 2/3. Some minders don’t as it can be a pain for them.

Oh maybe ask about how they communicate your child’s progress, some use online systems & some paper based.

Thanks for that. Some really useful advice. She says that shes newly registered, and i can find her on the ofsted website where it acknowledges her registering last year, but says there is no report. On my councils website it says 'awaiting inspection' Does this mean she has never been inspected before? Apologies for my naivety.

Ah sorry I misread your post. So that means she’s had her pre reg & done all of her training & childminders are usually inspected by ofsted within the first 2 years. The next cycle ends next July so she will be done before then. I wouldn’t be put off by this at all.

Pre reg inspections are done by ofsted & are similar just more appropriate to the stage they are at so they obviously can’t ask about any children on roll as there is none but they still ask about all the relevant topics (safeguarding etc) and all training must be in place to pass prereg.

What's included in the price (food, nappies, milk, outings, activity fees, etc), what's their policy on administering medication like teething gel or calpol. Do you envisage needing to swap days and would they allow that at all, if you need to send someone else to pick up, what's the policy in identifying that person as a legitimate person, do they have a car seat for their car.

I was clueless too! I saw two and they were so different from each other. One was run by an ex teacher who was strict and treated the whole set up like school. The other was like a big sister who was very chilled and it seemed very easy going and child-led play. We went for the strict teacher! Haha. You'll find what works.

Thank you again. I am writing everything down lol. Im a worrier natrually so this is really scaring me! Hes not the easiest baby at 4 months old, suffering badly from reflux, naps only on me or in his car seat, and im worried about how this will work in a different setting. Im hoping things will be easier in March though..