Childminder - how do I find a good one?

[anotherflower]

I need to get my little boy into childcare. Due to Covid we've been together since day 1 and he's now 13 months so I'm nervous about it. I know it's going to be a wrench.

Looking for a trustworthy childminder near where we live. Apart from childcare.co.uk / local council is there any other way of finding a really good one? As they don't have websites it seems like you just have to speak to them over the phone and see how they sound and then give them a try?

What sort of things should I be asking them to work out if they are right for us?

Also is it unreasonable to ask them not to feed him sugar?

Sorry for idiot questions but it's all new to me.

When I was looking for a childminder I remember asking around to see if anyone had any recommendations but beyond that it was a case of Google, a phone call, a face to face meeting and then some settling sessions. I would say you will have to trust your gut as well.

Also I don't think there is anything wrong with asking for no sugar. I asked for no juice, Limited dairy (allergy reasons) and they were fine with it.