Choosing childcare - advice please

[WhatKatyDidnt]

Hi,

I am looking for childcare for DD, who will be just under 12 months when I go back to work for three days per week.

I met a childminder today who seemed lovely - very calm, positive and trustworthy. DD was happy and relaxed in her flat. She has her own DD and will also look after two more children.

My nagging worries are as follows:

1. She is very new to childminding, no inspections as yet and only registered two weeks ago. Everyone has to start somewhere though?! She has a testimony from someone she nannied for a couple of years ago which is positive, but that's all.
2. Her husband works from home. I didn't ask whether he is CRB checked. Should I have done and how on earth do I do so without offending?

I have met two other childminders but didn't click with either.

Any advice / thoughts welcome.

Her DH will be checked - everyone over 16 living in the house is checked.

I wouldn't worry if she has a positive reference from nannying. She might be a bit chaotic on the paperwork side at first but that shouldn't affect the actual care she gives, even if OFSTED think otherwise.

Her husband should be CRB checked as all over 16's who live at a CM's property have to be under Ofsted regulations.

My childminders OFSTED isn't worth the paper its written on imo. Very concerned with box-ticking and paperwork, briefly notes that she's mostly playing with the kids and they're all having fun. She got a satisfactory from them. She's actually excellent, and compliments our parenting perfectly, she's pretty much a third parent, I lived her from the get-go, most importantly DD1 adores her :)

Yes, just make check that the husband has been CRB checked too. It wouldn't be offensive to ask at all, any CM would know that the other adults in the house have to be CRB checked. Is he also registered as her assistant? My CM's husband is and it's very helpful, he sometimes works from home and it means in terrible weather one of them can do the school run and the other can mind the little ones inside.

My CM had only been doing it for 6 months when I chose her and there wasn't really anyone to ask for recommendations either, bar one mum I vaguely knew who turned out to be a family friend of the CM! But your gut instinct is worth more than a recommendation, once you have met her. You're right, everyone has to started somewhere and she has been approved by Ofsted so go for it. If your DD is happy, that's the main thing.

Thanks for the quick and very helpful replies everyone