looking for a childminder - can anyone answer a couple of daft questions?

[mindalina]

I need a childminder urgently, by Tuesday if possible, and I have never organised formal childcare before and so totally clueless and don't really know what I'm doing!

Am I likely to be able to find someone at such short notice?

Is it ok to call them at the weekends to try and arrange something or should I wait until Monday? I do have arrangements in place for Monday but after that is unknown (eep)

Am I going to have to pay huge sums up front given the short notice nature of this? Do you normally pay a childminder in advance or do you pay at the end of the month or does it depend on the childminder?

I was in this situation. Email everyone you know (do some of your friends use childminders?) Personal recommendation is always the best. Childminders need kids. Don't assume the ball is always in their court - many aren't full. I am sure they wouldn't mind being called over the weekend. Have you tried www.childcarelink.gov.uk/

You shouldn't be charged any extra due to the short notice, but you do normally pay up front. Don't let them take you for a ride though just because you are desperate.

I would not wait till Monday but grab the phone and start ringing now.
I don't know if you'll find anybody at short notice ... I guess it depends on your requirements and childminders' availability.
Most childminders ask to be paid in advance so be prepared for that. I would not really want to take somebody last minute agree to arrears and then never see them or the money again.

Hi mindalina
If possible try to contact by email first,but stress you do need care urgently and are happy for them to ring you now or ask if they would be ok for you to ring them - I say this as personally i would NOT appreciate a call at the weekend when i am having precious family time BUT would understand if you have a genuinue emergency need - hope that makes sense

All childminders have differant arrnagements regarding payments but i think it would be likely they would want some upfront payment to ensure you are not trying to pull a fast one with wanting such a quick start. I charge a deposit of one weeks fee plus my fees are payable monthly in advance. If you could not pay that now I would probably ask for the deposit and payment of fees within a reasonable timeframe.

Be prepared to also complete alot of paperwork in a short time! At very least contract and some sort of child profile plus assorted permissions forms - these protect you, the childminder and importantly ensure they know something about your child to make sure their quick start is a less stressful as can be.

Good Luck!

Thanks so much for your advice!

I am making arrangements to be able to pay up front because yes I assumed there might be some concern about the last minute aspect. I am looking for an ongoing arrangement though, not just emergency care.

I will start sending out some emails and see what happens - if I don't get any responses I guess I will have to make calls and just pray I'm not interrupting anything! Hopefully some would have mobiles I can leave messages on or something.

Thanks again for assistance :)

Mindlina wherabout are you? Have you put your request on the childminders wanted thread here, and tried your local netmums? childcare.co.uk also very good.

If you have mobile numbers you could send a text?

hope you find something,keep us posted

Hi Dobby, thanks for your advice. I checked childcare.co.uk but it requests a joining fee - am I looking at the right site - to be able to send messages. I've fired off a couple of emails to local childminders so fingers crossed one of them might be able to help. I have also posted on Netmums (s'like sacrilege innit) courtesy of a recommendation from a poster I mustn't name for fear of reprisals

Ahhh I hope something comes up I really do. Work have been really understanding about my childcare crises (plural!) but god there is a limit to what even the kindest employer can put up with!

Sorry meant to say I am Mid/West Sussex (never really sure). Feel like I am getting a grip on this now I have sent some emails and marginally calmer!!

I would call rather than email... my childminder is ace with computors but a lot of the more traditional (read: old ) childminders might not check for weeks! A text would be good.

You will always pay a month upfront. How old are your children because a settling in period is usually advised... although I get that might not be possible.

Goodluck

Oh, and look on childcarelink

I'm a CM in west Sussex (not really close to mid Sussex though) but message me if you would like more details :o)

hi i have had parents calling on the sunday and there child started on the monday without any settling in period.and all cm are different some want a month in advance and others want paid weekly hope you find some one good luck

Ooh yes sorry, I forgot about the joining fee - you could always try googling the names of those that come up on the search as you might find them in other ways, if that makes sense. I regsitered under my website name for example, so even if you dont join, if you google that my own website with all my phone number etc comes up

Just googled mid sussex childminders and quite a few came up, hope this helps

and of course I pressed post before posting link d'oh!
www.google.co.uk/search?q=childminders+mid+sussex&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&redir_esc=&ei=Un7FTZvxDYWHhQeum7jmAw