How to find a good CM

[Teapig]

Hi ladies, I'm looking for some advice on how to find a good CM.

My DD is only 3 months and I'm hoping to return to work when she's 9 months but I want to sort childcare ahead of time so I can stop worrying about it all the time.

I've viewed a couple of nurseries but I've not been entirely happy with them for various reasons so I'd like to find a good CM. The trouble is friends have told me that they see CMs at baby groups chatting together and sometimes not noticing children in their care crying. One friend even suggested that a CM might leave LOs in front of the TV for ages.

I'm sure this isn't true of the vast majority of CMs but my friends have put the wind up me by being 'helpful'.

So my question is how do I find a good CM I can be sure doesn't do those things? No one I know local to me uses a CM so I don't have any personal recommendations.

Thanks x

Go to some local toddler groups and watch them. Visit and ask for phone numbers for references (all my mindees parents have given permission for me to give out their numbers for references ). Also listen to your gut instinct when you visit them.

Thanks HSMM, stupidly I hadn't even thought of asking for references that's a great point.

I'd take with a pinch of salt what your friends have said. If someone knows you are a CM they are often more critical and would probably not bat an eyelid if one of the mothers hadn't noticed their child was crying. Helicoptering round a child does them no good either!

With regards to TV I've never met a baby or toddler who will sit for hours on end watching TV. Maybe my home is too exciting! I discuss TV time with parents and it goes on when I need the children sat for 10 mins or so e.g to serve up dinner (they tend to come through the kitchen with toys and get in the way which is dangerous) and at the end of the day when parents collect.

Ask for recommendations from people you know. Go with your gut.

I tend to leave my mindees to play themselves at toddler groups. I keep an eye on them, but I do sit chatting for a lot of the time.
I do hear them if they cry though, and always jump up if there's arguing, etc.
Helicoptering is not good, and I view groups as a way fpor them to let off steam and for me to have a bit of a break.
Most CM's have the mindees for long days, mine are with me for 11 hours a day and there is plenty of time for one on one interaction when we're not at groups.
TV. doesn't go on in my house until 4:30 at the earliest, when after schoolies get in. By then they're all ready to have a bit of quieter time chatting, vaguely watching tv, playing with the babies etc.

I don't have a TV and we are out at singing group, gym group, art group, and two children centres during the week!

And yes, I let the children play on their own at toddler group, learnng to negotiate with other children, form friendships, take turns, be caring towards younger children, learn from older children etc, whilst we discuss how we record all those things required by Ofsted and also many problems we face during out childminding lives.

C/M's need peer company and advice too as it can be a very isolating job.

It is the parents who leave their handbags open on the floor and as trip hazards and coffees on the floor within reach of crawling babies, it works both ways!

the best thing to do is decide what what you would like out of a minder and take it from there. Some minders treat the children as part of the extended family and some are more like mini nurseries. Some take the children out every day, some once or twice a week and some stay in and do activities at home. do you want someone who does a school run, someone with their own preschooler that type of thing. I had a mum not happy as I had all girls and hers was the only boy but to be fair that usually changes yearly. do you want someone who networks regularly with other minders or one who works alone.

There is a lot to consider so have a good look around - even at people who might be a bit out of your way because it might be worth it.

Hi am a childminder.

Everyone may views a good cm in a different way.

What are you personally looking for? Please take into consideration that no one can look after your child how you do. Be flexible and have an open mind.

Talk to parents who you know who use a cm. Recommendation is the best way. Watch the cm at work and see for yourself.

At present I look after two 2yr old. Their mums are very different and want different things for their children. One is more cautious whilst the other mum is very confident. I can see the difference in their children. I respect what both parents want even though very different.

There are cm that I would not leave my kids with and cm that I would. Its all to personal taste.

Thanks for the really useful comments, I'll keep these in mind. Thanks so much for the advice and taking the time to reply.