When should I start looking?

[suejonez]

How far in advance of needed a childminders (2 days a week) should I start looking for one? I'm in the Kew area of London and don't know anyone who uses one.

Thanks

I probably wouldn't start looking until about 3 months before. Most childminders can't really say if they will have a vacancy much before that, unless you are looking to start January or September in which case they may know a mindee is going to school/nursery. If you are looking far in advance you may have to pay a deposit/retainer to keep the place open.

Hi Sue. I'd save the retainer and start looking one month before I needed her. Any news on picking up the baby? Do you get maternity leave? Are you going to stay home with him/her for a while.

I'm nosey. Just tell me to butt out if you want.

No - happy for you to be nosy! I get adoption leave starting from the day I come back to the UK. I have to take any time out of the country as holiday/unpaid (ouch - about 7 weeks) then get 26 weeks at £108 (same as maternity leave without the enhanced bit at the beginning). I'm going to take as much time off as I can afford to - at a guess 3-4 months off completely then a month at 2 days a week then back 4 days a week permanently. I plan to trade my boss - one day a week pay in exchange for daily phone advice whilst I'm away (don't know if he'll go for it yet).

I won't know when I'm going until about 3 weeks before but I'm guessing guessing it will be August/September.

i obsess about differnt things at different stages - my current hang up is child care. I hate the thought of putting Junior in childcare but don't really have any choice so I'm paranoid about finding good childcare I can afford. The price of nannies made me laugh - and I'm a finance director, how does anyone afford them?! Maybe its the dual income thing or lower mortgage than mine.

Sue

it is going to be very difficult to find a childminder place if you don't know when the start date will be.
I'd probably say soemwhere around 2 mths to allow yourself time to visit quite a few CM's to get a feel assuming you live somewhere where there are lots?

I would always suggest that you go and visit lots of minders - it may help give you a better idea of what you might be looking for (eg. whether there are pets or a garden; does the minder go to local groups etc.)

I don't think it matters if you start looking a long time in advance (I've had enquiries from pregnant mums-to-be and would never dissuade them from visiting). Obviously, if you do find someone brilliant, there is the chance that to definitely secure the place, she may charge a deposit or retainer, but some minders don't.

Most of my mindees have moved on because of nursery or school, so I've known several months (or years!) in advance of an impending vacancy.

Well assuming that I get back sometime September then I guess I'll be looking for a place in January which from what you say would be quite good timing and would also enable me to look after I get back to the UK.

I live in Kew Gardens and from looking at Childlink there seem to be quite a few childminders in the area.

it took me three months to find someone locally but had other things to consider like the drop-off to pre-school - this alone limits the search as cm's tend to pick up from specific schools/nurseries.

when you con't know any cm's then a good place to start is going to groups and chatting - you soon see who the cm's are and can see them in practice and of course approach and get their card.

hello i am a childminder in brentford just up the road from kew. there are many childminders locally between here and chiswick so i would not stress to early.

i myself would advise you start looking on childcare link two months prior to needing care this allows you time to visit various childminders and also time for visits to your chosen childminder before leaving your child.