How do I work out what the local 'competition' is?

[MrsGravy]

Hi, I posted a few days ago about potentially starting childminding. I'm booked onto the pre-registration course but I'd like to find out what kind of market there is locally for childminders. I've had a look at local listings on the childcare.co.uk website and there are a few in the local area but I have no idea whether this means there are too many/there is a demand for more or what!! I also would like to find out what kind of services they offer so I can see if there's potential to differentiate myself.

The only way I can think to do this is to ring up the childminders and ask about their services/whether they have vacancies. But how would this be received if I tell the truth about why I'm ringing? I don't like the idea of lying and pretending to be a parent...

How did others go about this?

As far as whether there are too many or too few cm's in your area. Call up Family Info Services and they should be able to tell you what the demand is in your area.

Great, thanks Rudgey. Just did that and there are only 2 others in my village.

You could also go on OFSTED's website and search you postcode, which will give any registered minders in your area and their inspection report (but not their address etc as private).

When I first started I called a couple of local minders for a friendly chat and bit of advice, they were fine about it and happy to give advice.

Thanks RosieGirl. We don't have OFSTED here in Wales but I'll try and find out where I can get inspection reports from. I have seen a childminder collecting up at my DCs school so maybe I'll try approaching her

Use CSIW Data Viewer - this should link to a list of Childminders in CF1 postcode area. To change the search, enter a different postcode.

Thanks for that nannynick, unfortunately it looks like my area doesn't put their reports on the website but says I can ring my local office for copies. So I shall do that.

Look on your local netmums childcare board to see how many CMs are advertising as having spaces and think about whether parents would commute to them (is it on the way to where a lot of people work for example?).

They will probably also give more info about themselves on there than a report or official list will. They may even have websites you can look at.

That's a great idea, thanks SFP, I'll have a look now.