Advice about using a CM for the first time

[Charlotte1984]

Hi hope you may be able to offer some advice/help.

Im returning to work in September and am looking for a childminder for my 4.5 month old son.

Could you advise what qualifications/experience you would expect as a minimum? Any questions we should be asking? I am obviously feeling quite anxious and want to make sure we are getting someone good!

Thank you!

Chilminders should be Ofsted registered, in order to be registered with Ofsted they should have attended the following courses: paediatric first aid, food safety, child protection and a childminder pre registration course with / approved by the council.

Look on Family Information Service at your local council for registered CM in your area.Also google CM and your area, many now have websites.

Can you get a recommendation from a friend? Visit a few and get a feel for them and their home.

With regards to experience/ qualifications CM come from all walks of life some have left professional jobs behind, some may have been teachers, some might have nursery experience.
Some like myself might have a degree totally unrelated to Childcare but like and are very good with children and enjoy the flexibility the job offers their family. some might have a Childcare degree/ foundation degree/ be working towards a Level 3 qualification. Some might not be qualified but have experience of caring for their own family.

There is no hard and fast rule re qualifications other than the courses needed to register with Ofsted. And just because somebody has a Childcare qualification at level 3 or higher doesn't mean that they are any better for your child, than an unqualified CM.

I agree with MaryPoppinsBag. You need to visit some and see how they feel. I know brand new CMs who are great, experienced minders with no qualifications who are great and minders with fabulous qualifications who are not (and vice versa for all if those).

Are you looking for this September? Many CMs will have filled their spaces already in anticipation of children starting school.

If you search on here for 'what to ask childminder' you should find alibubbles list of questions. Sorry cant copy it on my phone.