What's the best way to find a good childminder?

[newbabynewmum]

I don't know anyone who uses a childminder so word of mouth is out? If it's online - are there good websites and bad ones? Any help would be appreciated!!

Ask around at toddler groups, children's centre, that sort of place.

Your local council Families Information Service will have a list of all registered childminders - some councils provide a sub-set of that list online (not all childminders want their details online, thus the online list is not always complete). Websites like Childcare.co.uk have some childminders listed.

Find out who is local to you and call them to check they have space to take your child when you need to start, and arrange to visit them. Trust your gut instinct - you will get a good feeling about someone you and your child feel happy with.

Well, there's childcare.co.uk, your local family information service. It's always worth visiting several cm's, and you'll find a cm that you feel happy with.

Thank you. I need someone to take my DD to nursery as my new job (I'm a teacher) means I have to be at work before her nursery opens..... Do you think it's a suitable job for a childminder? I didn't know about an au pair?

By nursery, what do you mean... 9.15am-11.45am term time (so what I would call a pre-school) or do you mean full daycare such as 8am-6pm?

Whilst a childminder may well be able to take and collect your DD from pre-school, they may still charge you whilst your DD is at pre-school as she is taking up one of their childcare places - they can't simply have another child in your DD's place just for the time your DD is at pre-school. Each childminder operates their own business so will have varying terms & conditions, so it's important that you check what you do and do not pay for. As a teacher you may also be only wanting term-time care, not all year care.