Giving CM notice, advice needed please.

[VenusWineTrap]

I live in a small close knit village where childminders are few and far between.
For several reasons I want to change CM's.

If I give my current CM notice and then look for another afterwards, I run the risk of not being able to find anyone.

If I look for another one before giving notice then there is a good chance my current cm will know as many pick up from the local school

Is there a fair way to go about this?

Fair to you or the cm?

It will depend on the reasons for you changing .

Could you ring round childminders and give vague details to ask if they have spaces or do you know one who you would be happy with that you could ring first?

NickNacks - I am in a tricky position where I really like my current CM as a person but my DD cries and is unsettled throughout the day, way past the settling in period. She doesn't seem to do anything with her, no visits to the park or activities, just toys. I'm aware under EYFS she should be but I have no diary and feedback is always very vague.

I have other small issues, nothing major, just niggles, that just accumulate, but my main, top concern is that my DD is not happy.

You may have already done this, but have you tried sitting down with your current CM and tried to identify why your child is unsettled, and what you could do about it? There are so many factors which will influence this (age and personality of the child, even your own feelings about leaving her) but it could be as simple as adjusting meal or nap times so home routine is more like CMs or vice versa.

Also worth checking that she is not avoiding going out because your DD is still not really settled. I know if I have a little one who is not particularly happy, such as when teething badly, it sometimes easier and less unsettling for all concerned to just have the odd day at home and give the outings a miss. I wouldn't suggest that day after day, but your CM may think this is what is needed in the circumstances.

If you are not happy with the feedback you are getting and want more detail and discussion, I would raise this with her too. I think you should be honest and say that if you cannot overcome any settling problems you will need to look at other childcare options. That way there should be no surprises and less likelihood of bad feeling if that is the way things turn out.