Thanks - Visits Arranged but little advice required..........!

[lexiemum]

I can't find the original post but just wanted to say thanks to all those CM's that responded with words of wisdom for my next stage of finding Cm's in oxon. Prisoner - a special thanks, it was nice to meet you and the flower was on my list.

I have three visits arranged for next week and need to contact one more person.

Any NHS workers out there - would say contact Kiddilinks, they did all the ground work for me and have eased the stress of receiving "sorry no vacancies"

Oh, one person said "mondays good as no children will be here" Am going but do you think I should arrange to pop in for "play date" when she has children or just turn up unannounced?

Now - just have to decide whether have kids cared for in home town or work town?

Go for initial visit when there are no children, you will have time to chat etc. Definitely go back when there are children there, but be prepared for them to all misbehave!!

You could always ask if it's possible to talk to any of their current (and past) minding parents. And stay in your home town if you find someone lovely.

Just a thought,but 5 out of 7 of my parents have choden me because I am closer to their work than closer to their home as I would be easier to get to if there was ever a problem. Mind you 1 does travel for over an hour each morning to get to me so thats probably a little extreme. How long would it take you to get from work to minders if your child was poorly,and from work to closer to home minder?

On the other hand some parents have had an extra journey to take child to childminder when they don't have to go to usual place of work and need to go in opposite direction instead(meetings/training courses or time off for gp/hospital appointments etc). And two of my mums have had several jobs while I've been caring for their children.