As a parent what do you look for in a childminder?

[MissJayTea]

I'm hoping to start childminding in the next year or so and although I have a pretty good idea what Ofstead will look for I wondered what a parent looks for.

Friendly and fun but able to keep things under control. Reliable and flexible. Am looking for this person ATM

People who've chosen me say they like me because I focus on good food, fresh air, no tv and lots of mess/mud/general filth.

I am a childminder myself. If I was looking for a cm I would look for

Someone who is reliable
Approachable
Interacts well with children
Good value for money (may not be the cheapest but good value)
Must provide activities to encourage learning.
Someone who keeps me informed (good communication skills)

I would like to think I offer the above myself.

Someone who will treat my children the way I would myself.

Its not about how clean or well decorated their home is or how great the outings. Not about qualifications or price or even reliability.
The most important thing was that they were someone who would honestly like my child and enjoy spending time with them. That they would cuddle them if they were upset, and celebrate their milestones with them, that they welcomed them into their family and gave them an extra person who cared.

I was lucky enough to find this person. I paid more than I would for a nursery, and was happy to take time off work or rejuggle childcare if she needed me to (generally offering to look after her children too). I didn't care what they did during the day because I trusted her implicitly.

I knew my children were happy and secure so I could work without worrying about them. When I finally stopped needing care we both cried. She was a huge part of my childrens lives and a wonderful childminder

When I was a cm Mindees were treated as one of ours.

Same love, cuddles, discipline and care and concern. That was from me, my dh, grown up dss and teenage dds.

But paperwork wise I was professional.

Hope that makes sense?

My list:

Obviously likes children
Interested in child development
Calm but fun and loving
Good food
No TV
Plenty of 'great outdoors'
A degree of routine.
'Real world' actvities like going to the library, posy office and grocers.
Going to some groups to experience a larger group.

My personal preference is for my cm to have a dog that is a family pet and other animals to learn to look after, but I know that is a massive no no for others.

My cm is perfect on all those fronts. I'm not sure she's particularly hot on/ bothered about paperwork. I've never signed an attendance register or signed off how man hours DS has been there. She doesn't regularly send out revised policies and timetables of activities like a friends cm does. I really don't care about those things either though so we're a match made in heaven!

My CM has a 'satisfactory' OFSTED report atm. I think this is hugely unfair to a lady who cares for my daughter as one of her own, tells her husband where to stuff it when he complains about the amount of sand in the house, helps her use the potty, is child-led in her learning, cuddles and kisses her as if she's her own, in fact she might as well be the youngest daughter, sits and sings with her, and has never once even made out that my daft ideas are actually 'daft ideas'!

She only got a satisfactory because she's crap at paperwork, I don't care that she's crap at paperwork, I only care that she's brilliant with DD, and I can't wait for #2 (currently in utero) to start with her mid next year. I have every confidence in her, and it means my children don't need to be separated like they would be in a nursery.

In no particular order:

To be warm and welcoming
To have a room/space where she's happy for toys to be everywhere
To not have too many school and nursery runs
To go to some large groups, but also lets the DC play at home
To have somewhere that is easy to park, and safe and easy to get DC out of BOTH sides of the car
Doesn't take too much sick time off for herself and DC
Is understanding if I am late on the odd occasion due to unforeseen circumstances
Will (if able to) occasionally do longer days with notice
Does special craft activities so DC can make cards/presents for special occasions (eg Mothering Sunday)
If they have a partner, for them to be supportive and friendly

Nt to have a garden full of dog poo. And not to ask my DCs to call you 'Grandma'.

Mine, whom I am v. happy with and have been with now for almost 5 years is:

good at communicating (ie we make sure we talk about any issues each day)
reliable
likes children and has 2 boys of her own who are growing up into fine lads.
consistent
fair
and liked by my children.

I don't mind a bit of tv

If they let them watch the lunchtime hour on cbeebies while they're tidying up lunch, other mindees are napping & they're getting ready to go out to an afternoon activity I'm not going to complain

Sorry to change the subject slightly,

I let the little one watch tv but in moderation.

Just wondering,.. parents who do not want their kids watching tv is it because they do not watch it at home or is it because they do not pay the cm for them to put kids infront of the tv?

We enjoy watching something special, mister maker, art atttack and I can cook. These programmes are great for ideas etc.

MUM both reasons. I am more than happy for DS to watch a tv programme if he's getting something out of it, but Bubble Guppies? As far as I can tell, that programme has no redeeming features. Not one. I was very when I found out he was watching that every day.

For me it's the opposite MUM, my DS does watch TV at home in the evenings so I'd really rather he didn't watch in the mornings as well (he only goes mornings) or he'd really be clocking up the screen hours. He's not fit for much else in the evenings and I need to cook etc so I prefer his TV time to be then.

If he went full days and was tired in the late afternoon I would nave no problem with an hour of cbeebies. However, staying in all day with Nick Kids on in the background would be a total deal breaker.

For me, the most important thing is a safe, cared for environment. As Mary Poppins like as possible :) x

Im a cm and i tape fireman sam and team oomizoomi for when i have to tidy up dishes etc but I prefer to get them out only thing is its rained solidly for about a month now. We have guinea pigs the kids love them, i have a dog too but its not allowed in for pre schoolers only some of my bigger after schoolers.

We do things like going paddling in the loch, fishing, hikes in the woods, arts and crafts, ive got a sand pit a slide and a trampoline. I keep up my skills doing at least 2 courses every year, but im rubbish at paperwork, Im ok at the policies side but my tax is one big drawer of receipts! My mums get their kids back dirty, tired and happy.

I used to use a CM myself before I became one and the main thing was that she took everything in her stride...beans up the wall? Oh well they wash...sand in the rug, ok give it a hoover...and could do extra hours if i was going to be late and my child liked her and was happy there, I try to be as much like her as i can!!