when to contact childminder?

[gingernutlover]

I have a childminder lined up for when dd starts school but at the moment we have just said yes please we want the place, nothing formal in place as such.

The childminder is very laid back (which is one of the things I really like about her) but I am wondering if it would be pushy to ask for a meeting now/first week of summer hols to discuss contracts, starting date and various other things.

Also when should I ontact her? I am appreciative of thafact that she is on duty with her mindees during the day and they are her priority but also that evenings and weekends are her time off. I dont want to bother her or seem pushy but I feel for my own peice of mind I need to know some things now/soon

I would call her asap, if she's busy she will call back I'm sure.

I do think that you should get the paperork stuff sorted and arrange for your DD to start settling in so she is comfortable before school starts, as she will be a bit overwhelmed with two new places.

thanks, that is what I was thinking. Was hoping that we could pop in for half hour/an hour a couple of times over the summer hols so dd can meet the childminder, become accustomed with her home, meet the other children.

I ahve left a message on her answer phone, then saw her walk past coming back from school run LOL - now know why she didnt answer.

Any pointers on things I should ask?

Hi, I am in a similar position. I have a childminder lined up for both my DD and DS to start in Sept. I have received written confirmation from her that she is offering me 2 places and she detailed the arrangements and the cost. I then wrote back to her to accept the places. However we haven't signed a formal contract so it is very much just an informal agreement at the moment. It has been left that the CM will contact me at some point over the summer holidays to arrange some settling in sessions for both my DC's. Also I think she mentioned that she holds a BBQ over the summer where all the parents and children that she looks after are invited so people can get a chance to get to know one another. I really liked the idea of that!

I am also concious of the fact that DD will not only be starting school but will also have to contend with a new childcare arrangement (they both currently go to a private nursery). It's worked out quite well for me though as she doesn't start school till 21st Sep so she will have 2 weeks of full days settling in with the CM, alongside DS, before she starts at school.

Gingernutlover ~ If as I assume you are talking of school starting in September then it is certainly not too soon to get things finalised - it is less than 8 weeks.

As a Childminder, I would want to know that the child has visited me and stayed for a couple of occasions and got to know me a bit before the "big day" of a new school and I am surprised that the Childminder does not want to get the contract in place.

To protect both sides, that is important because without a contract (although I know that there is a verbal agreement), neither side have the assurance that each party is going to see it through.

she phoned back we are goignt o see her soon to talk over everything.