Advice on choosing a childminder PLEASE

[rabbitrabbit]

Hello,

Would be grateful for any advice on how to choose a childminder. I'm leaning towards sending me son to a childminder instead of a nursery (really just to get him used to not being with me before nursery school next year). I think he would probably settle better with a childminder than a nursery (I think!).

Firstly, do you think that's a good idea? And what should I be looking (out) for when selecting one?

Thanks for advice, could really do with some.

Go with your gut feeling of the childminder, you (and you son) might click with the first one or you may need to go and see a few but you will find one that you both like.

How old is your son?

There is a list of questions that someone has come up with that would help it's on another thread I'll try and find it and bump it for you.

HTH

Hello, my son is 3 and hasn't really spent any time being cared for by anyone other than me and dh (I know, I know!)

Thanks for the offer of bumping that thread-I'll have a search also.

I cant find it sorry, I've had a quick look but I can't remember what the thread was about.

Katymac knows the questions for parents to ask childminders and I'm sure she'll be along soon.

I do think it's a good idea for a 3yr old to be at a childminders as they will get to mix with other children of all ages and go to groups. (I might be a bit biased though cos I'm a childminder)

I didn't let anyone else look after my dd until she had just turned 3 and started nursery school so you've done alot better than me

Thanks for trying jensmum. I'll have a good search later and see what I can find.
(and believe me, I haven't done any better than the rest of us!)

just bumped an old thread for you with lots of questions for you to ask in it Hope this helps

Its under going back to work

There's some good questions on the National Childminding Association site (in the parent's bit): NCMA

Naturally you'll need to see their reg. certificate, public liability and First Aid Cert.

If there's anything on top of the question on the NCMA site, post back here

Thanks alot everyone-I'll have a good read of everything

Here we are!

Alibubbles list

How long have you been working with children?

What training have you had? Any qualifications? Are you part of a network, achieved a quality assurance qualification, look at registration certificate, insurance details, business use for car. First aid must be no more than 3 years old, food hygiene certificate, Certificate in Childminding practice or NVQ 3, Contracts and record forms

Do you enjoy being with children and why?

Can I look around, see the rooms and outside play space? If there is no outside play space - how will you make sure my child gets the chance to play outside?

Where will my child rest?

What kind of food and drink will you give? Can I see a menu?

What will my child do all day?

How do you encourage good behaviour?

Will my child be with a regular group of children? How old are they? How will their timetable fit in with my child?

How will you make sure I know how my child is getting on?

What hours is she open?

How much does she charge?

What about when my child is sick, holidays, days off

What do you do in an emergency?

When was her last Ofsted, can you see the report?

Top 10 Quality Pointers

When you visit possible childcare options, look for these Quality Pointers:

Are the children calm, safe, happy and busy?

Do children play and talk together?

Is the childminder listening to the children and answering them carefully?

Is the childminder friendly and proud of her work?

Is she joining in joining in with what the children are doing?

Are there lots of fun activities planned to help children learn and play? Can children plan some of these activities themselves?

Are there plenty of clean toys and equipment for children to use?

Is the premises clean, well kept and safe for children with a fun outside play area (or will the child go to parks and other places regularly)?

Do parents have plenty of chances to say what they want for their children?

If there are other things you want to know, don't be afraid to ask. Good childminders expect you to ask questions and will be happy to answer them.

Always take up references. You could ask for names of other parents to talk to about the service

Listen to your child and find out more if he/she is unhappy
Always trust your own feelings about your childcare - you know your child best

Hi Alibubbles - whenever I copy your list I always attribute it to you......have you thought about copyright?

Totally agree with ali's list. ALSO, much of the above info (i think) should be offered by the childminder as part of her welcome and showing you round. At the end of your visit, you might have a couple of things to ask but much of it should be offered by her as a matter of course. (Only saying this as i visited a cm last year and it was like trying to get blood out of stone - i didn't use her in the end!) My lovely 2 childminders were open and smiley and full of info when i visited - lots of pics up, folders offered for us to look through straight away, certificates displayed on the wall. Gut feeling is a great indicator too.

katymac, I know you do,I have seen it many a time! Thank you.

I am not sure where I got it from, but I have had it for a very long time, at least 10 years, and just added bits .

I am happy for anyone to use it, and `i am sure people could add a few of their own questions to it.