Questions to ask cms

[Icelollycraving]

Hi,I'm returning to work in a few months. I've been in contact with some cms & am going to be meeting up with them v soon. What questions or info are essential to ask as this is a new thing for me. Also,what is standard as a holding fee,do you pay weekly/monthly etc.
Please help!

ask about holidays.... do you pay for yours and her holiday? how much holiday will she choose to take and how much notice she will give you

also her sickness policies... when can / cant your children attend, what if she is sick and when do you pay or not pay

im sure lots of other will suggest other things to ask

I would write a list before you go in case you forget things. Everyone will have different things that are important to them. They will have policies for most things so a good idea would be to ask for those ahead of the meeting so you have an idea of what they're all about. I would also ask:

-How many sick days they have taken in the last 12 months
-What their food policy is
-What their disciplinary policy is
-If they go to any clubs, regular activites
-What the holiday policy is for them, and for you

I would also ask to have a look around the house but most will invite you to anyway. With finding a childminder it is all about how they interact with your child, and your gut instinct. If you're not happy with that then nothing else should persuade you to use them.

I would also personally take their Ofsted grade with a pinch of salt. Some inspectors won't give "outstanding" to a new childminder even if they are outstanding. If the CM doesn't do hardly any EYFS work then they will only ever get a satisfactory grade - but EYFS may not be as important to you as cuddles and fun... My DD's childminder was an absolute angel and I couldn't have asked for anything more from her, but she only ever had a satisfactory as she disn't do EYFS observations and didn't do messy play.

Good luck with it all x

Ha "disciplinary policy" ! I mean discipline policy. Disciplinary makes it sound like they'll have your child in front of a board of HR Directors

What her sickness policy when her own children are sick and who pays

Great thanks!

I was wondering,I thought god that sounds corporate! :o

NCMA have a list of suggested questions :)

That's a good list flisspaps, I never saw the significance of questions about what other children they look after though - it could change at any time!

That's a good list,thank you