Have I looked everywhere for a CM?

[sheeplikessleep]

I'm looking for a CM for my 13 month old DS.

Have looked on Family Information Services, Childcare.co.uk ... there is literally just 1 lady who has a space near me (5 mile radius). All of the others are booked up. I've met this lady, who seems nice, although I didn't massively click with her and have a couple of reservations. I'm sure she will be fine, but I guess it feels a bit like I haven't many options.

I'd like to visit others, but there are none in the area. Just wondered if I'm totally missing somewhere I could look and find someone. Any advice or information or ideas very much appreciated! Thanks

What area are you in?

Have you tried Gumtree, Netmums have a local board for your area where cms with vacancies post.

I would ring FIS, they hold a full list of all registered childminders in your area, not everyone is on their internet list. You can cross reference it with those you have already tried.

Agree to ringing FIS. The website is a shambles and not very good on distances either. Many CM's don't want their details on internet and they also might be able to point you in the direction of any CM's who are about to become registered.

Thank you for posting, yes I have rung FIS. I think I must live in an area where there aren't many (I live just north of Winchester).

I'll look up netmums. Thanks for posting.

I don't know how far north of Winchester you are, but might be worth trying the andover childminders association: www.andoverchildminders.org.uk/default.html

they probably look after the villages as well.

try www.childmindingforum.co.uk

11k minders on there from all over the UK

good luck

What you need to do is get out on the childminders network. They put out an email alert for you and send it to all the childminders. Phone up one that is listed as a newtwork childminder. They always know what is going on and have a good idea of who has spaces. They can also sort out the email for you usually if you ask nicely.

I have always found word of mouth really good way of finding a CM.

Hi -quite a few people find CM asking at local toddler groups/pre-schools - mine left leaflets at the pre-school - and if you know any local childminders they often know the other ones whether in a group or not

Why not try a local Children's Centre where there is probably a childminding drop in (Lanterns Children?s Centre, Bereweeke Road?)

Great, thanks all for posting. My incessant ringing of childminders and being told they are fully booked and I appear to have stumbled across a gem of a childminder. I'm meeting her next week, she's also given me other childminders numbers, so hopefully one of them will come good!

Thanks all