how do you actually find a childminder?

[ditavonteesed]

I know how ridiculous that sounds but everything I google comes up with hunderds none of which are in the right area.

And as an extra question how flexible are chldminders usually, I have applied for a job that will be working rota shifts and I have no idea how to cover it.

Get in touch with your local family information service and they will send you a list.

Have you contacted your local council (in some areas County Council) for a list of registered childminders? That would be a starting point, if you don't know the contact details for your area's Family Information Service, then try looking on Find Your FIS.

Childminders run their business as they like, some may be happy accommodating shift workers, others may not. How far in advance you know the rota may be a factor, as might the age of your children.

Has the job ad or details you have been sent about the job given you any info about the rotas?

hi thanks, no I have no info about shifts at present, I think they are on 2 weeks notice but tbh I am just guessing, its nhs.

childcare.co.uk
you can search by postcode. You need to pay to receive messages, but if you just fill in your profile then view the childminders' profiles the CM will get a message that you viewed them. They will then message you hopefully ( if they have any sense!) including their 'phone number or email so you can get in tpouch with them. Hope that makes sense!

Sounds basic, but word of mouth can be reassuring. Have you asked around at your local playgroups etc?

As other posters have said the Fis is your first port of call. I have 2 parents that work on different areas of nhs and both know shifts around a month in advance

hiya, I had the same difficulty as i did rota work myself and had a young child to look after! theres plenty of places you can look i started off with gumtree.com there were many on their with flexi hours on there as well as www.findababysiiter.com i registered with them and found a carer best suited to myself and my childs needs! good luck

Thanks for all the advice, it is much appreciated, I know its a bit dense but I have never used childcare before. :))