When to start looking for childcare?

[noeyedeer]

I'm hoping someone can help and that my questions don't sound too silly. I am currently 20 weeks pregnant with my first child so I have no idea when to start looking for childcare.

I would be looking for term time only childcare from Sept 2011 (possibly a couple of weeks in July 2011).

When should I start making enquiries with Childminders?

Is it possible to get term time only care or would I have to pay for care all year even if I didn't use it?

Thank you in advance for your help!

You can start making enquiries whenever you like, but childminders can not take a deposit to hold a place until the baby is born.
Yes you can get term time only contracts without paying a retainer but not all childminders do them. I do and charge slightly more per hour than other childminders in my area.
When the baby is born you could visit local toddler groups, children centres etc. ask around and you may get a recomendation or meet some local childminders.
Ring the local council for an up to date list and have a look on childcare.co.uk.

Thanks Danthe4th! So I wouldn't look like a complete nutter making enquiries before the baby arrives?

I hadn't thought about baby & toddler groups, thanks for the tip.

I had an enquiry back in May from the Mum of an existing minded boy when she was about 12 weeks pregnant with her second child and was adamant about reserving a space.

I said that morally it was not appropriate to take a retainer or deposit until after the child was born but she quickly turned round and told me that it might not be morally right but it is certainly not against the law (she is a lawyer) and apparently you can draw up a contract involving an unborn child. I know that NCMA advise that it is not possible but then I don't follow many of their recommendations - why should they tell us how to run our business - we don't tell them how to run theirs! It is because the contract is with the parent and the child is the contractee or subject of the contract. She quickly reminded me that you can take out other sorts of contracts in respect of an unborn child such as booking an air ticket or a holiday so why not a reservation for childminding services.

Also she only plans to take 6-8 weeks maternity leave so I will be having the baby when it is just 2 months old and since she is now about 27 weeks that means I will be starting with him (they have told me the sex) in about 5 months time!!! I started with the brother when he was 10 weeks so this will be even younger.

I would start looking asap! For example I can tell you that I have a space as I have a child starting school.

Some childminders (like me with their own children) love term time only contracts as it means i can spend time with my children over the hols....and therefore you don't pay as I want the time off

Good luck!

Thank you for all your help.
I think I'll get on to the council for a list and start making some enquiries

My former CM had an 18m/2 year waiting list for most of the 9 years she had my ds. Once a mindees mum told her they were TTC to 'reserve' a future space for DC2
She is bloody amazing though
She did termtime only to give her time for her own dcs so I didn't need to pay retainers in the holidays.