Help-honest advice needed re. potential childminder

[PollyLolly]

I have found a potential childminder locally but I am a little concerned that it is a husband and wife team - they have only just registered and are looking for business. The husband has been out of work for a number of years and something "niggles" me about him. I don't wish to appear sexist but there also seems to be some tension between the two of them. They have a 13 year old daughter who attends the same school as my son. My son tells me that she is constantly bullied and has no friends. I am desperately searching for somewhere to put my youngest child but I am having doubts about this particular childminder. Can you please advise?

i believe in gut instinct

I work with my husband and have a teenage daughter, but I agree with iluvkids. Go with your instinct.

Go with your gut instinct.

Always go with your gut instinct!

A husband/wife team can work wonderfully... but if you felt tensions with you there, what would it be like when you were not there? Maybe you should have a further meeting and decide then. Failing to then still know for sure... there should be a settling in period of a month anyhow.. where either of you can give notice sans warning (you might lose your deposit though, check their contract).

If your gut instinct is twanging, then listen to it.

We were about to accept a place with a husband and wife team, but something bothered me about how he dominated the conversation and his wife hardly got a word in edgeways.

I contacted the wife asking if she could give me the contact details of another parent to ask for a reference - she did not respond, but her husband wrote me a back a very rude email withdrawing the place.

why not go back again and take partner/family member/friend and have a list of questions and see if you feel any happier.

It could be they were both nervous as you were the first parent to come and see them ... I would suggest going back to ask them some more questions. Maybe bring your child along as well and see how she/he gets on with them and their daughter ...

Thanks for your help - I'll go back and check them out again maybe but gut instinct is telling me to avoid them.

It depends how unsure you are. If you are feeling definitely that there is something not right, then go with your instincts.

If you are in 2 minds, then pop back for another visit and see how you feel. If they're just starting out, the tension may have been anxiety on their part.

Definitely go with your gut - if you're not happy now then I think you will never really trust them.