When is the best time of day to contact prospective childminders?

[westergille]

I've longlisted a list of childminders to contact about childcare for my baby (based on geographical location etc). I want to phone them to ask about vacancies and what they offer as I feel you get more of a feel for whether you'll click with someone when you speak to them.

When is the best time of day to ring? I guess during the day they're busy looking after the children, but the evening is their time so they may not want to be disturbed. I don't want to get off on the wrong foot!

Any tips from CMs gratefully received .

Can you text first with a brief outline of your needs and ask them to call at a convenient time or tell you when to call back? That's what I'd prefer as a cm.

I would email or text asking them to call you when convenient for them.

After 6pm but before half7/8 I would say!!

I like texts or emails outlining requirements and then I can either txt back if I can't help or phone back when I'm able to talk. Every day is different for most cm so there really is no daily time slot that fits all. Even the best cm might not give the best first impression if they're dealing with a million things at once. Good luck - hope you find someone lovely.

I like emails too - you can get a lot in an email about what you need and they can they reply with what they offer. you may find that a few won't be available anyway so if you email/text in advance, it gets the numbers down too. I personally hate calls. I never answer them actually i'm too busy with mindees and then my own dc in the evening - I like a message which outlines what they want/need and then I can get back to them at a convenient time. HTH.

If you only have there phone number, You could ring and ask them when you can call back for a chat. If it goes to answer machine please leave a message if they are not answering its because they are busy. If its a mobile you could just send a text.

Thanks for all the helpful tips. I'll go with an email first then - also means I don't have to repeat myself, I guess!