Help me choose between 2 Childminders please.

[Voidka]

I need a CM to take DD to preschool 2 mornings a week from September because DH is moving offices and wont be able to take her.

There are 2 CM who already do drop offs there.

CM1 is lovely - really friendly and god with the children. One of DD's friends is already looked after by her. The problem is she is nearly always late. It doesnt matter so much with preschool but if our situation doesnt change she will need to take DD to school (as DD will be going to our local school rather than the school DS attends) and that does worry me.

CM2 is nice, but a bit stand offish. She seems good at her job but I just dont get a good vibe from her.

I am so torn. I would choose CM1 in a shot but the lateness is a big issue for punctual DH.

The other option I have is to use CM1 for a year and then use the breakfast club at school, but I dont know if I would want to move DD if she was settled.

Have you been to visit them both in their settings or are you basing this on what you've seen at school? Go to visit them at home, see how they both are with your child. Do you know why cm1 is always late - does she drop mindees off elsewhere first? If yes, then that could have changed by the time your dc is starting school. Tell her that punctuality is very important to you and see what she says - would be a shame to miss out on a fab cm for something that can be fixed by asking her to leave home a few minutes earlier. As a cm myself, I'd say that gut feeling is always best to go on - if you find someone standoffish then how will you be able to discuss the care they are providing for your child? Or they might just be shy!

No I have visited them both at their houses.

I am a late person, but 99.9% of the time I get my dd to school on time. This cm might be okay for the school run. I can't think where else you need absolute punctuality. Especially given your options.

If the only concern you have is her time keeping and that isn't a huge issue for pre school then I'd go for the one you feel more comfortable with and then if the time keeping is still an issue you have the option of breakfast club - she won't be the only newbie there and although may take time to settle, will at least be at school on time.

I think you should at least find out why she is late, if this bothers you.

I am always late for one of my school runs. That's because the parent drops the child off late. With the best will in the world, I cannot get her to school on time if she's dropped off at my house at 8.45 having had no breakfast!

I hate lateness
Im a childminder and do before and after children and every morning on my way home from school the nursery opp my house are just setting off to the school i have just been too i asked the girl once and she said its cause she only starts work at 9

the lateness to nursery maybe due to getting other children to school 1st. i always tell parents that school run comes first as children must be at school on time. but that they dont need to be at nursery on time so we do nursery run after school run

I would go for the one you prefer but ask why she is late, I know a cm who is always late because she's taken too much on, I used to pick up from 2 schools but I was late to pick up my ds so I stopped as i don't like children to be waiting for me.

I see your problem both have plus points and slight down sides have you asked your child maybe get a feeling from that point.but on the face of it i see cm 1 late i would worry if she is driving would she rush that is a problem waiting to happen but if you can sort that then she would be the one i would choose. cm2 could be just a little shy but your instincts have probably already told you hope i have been of some help it would be nice to hear back thanks justbuggies.
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Does it matter if she's late because you're worried DD will be late for preschool/school, that you or DH could be late for work as a result, or both?

I'd go for the one you like best but as others have said seek to resolve the time issue.

The lateness is just me worrying about DD going to school. It doesnt matter at preschool but its more important at school. I dont want DD missing out on golden time because she is signed in late.

My gut is telling me to go with CM1, DH wants to go with CM2 (although he did admit she was a bit snappy). DH will be doing the drop offs at 8am so lateness wont effect him.

I wouldn't go with CM2 personally as I would find it hard to communicate about my child with someone like that. I'd find out why CM1 is late but as others have said, at least you don't have to worry about that at this stage (I'm a CM btw so never used one, just saying I'd find it hard to have my child looked after by someone who wasn't friendly enough)

Your child is not responsible for the time they arrive at school and should not be punished for something they cannot control. If you choose the late childminder, discuss this with your school, in advance. There are other issues with always being late. Being late also means they do not have time to be with their friends while waiting for doors to open, and there is a rush to put coat away etc. It also presents difficulties if the person dropping off wanted to speak to a teacher if there is a need to pass on a message or concern. Some children find it difficult to face a busy class when arriving late and find it easier to settle to a new class/school when arriving early when its a little quieter and being one of the first to be welcomed by the teacher.

If you haven't already, take up references and ask other parents if they had problems with the childminder being late.

It doesn't sound like the second childminder is right for you; you need to be comfortable talking to your childminder and someone who will warm to your child. Good vibes are important.

Go and see cm1 again and tell her you like her but have reservations about her schedule... hopefully a discussion will alleviate your concerns and allow your cm to consider if her routine can be altered at all.

good luck with whatever you decide :)