childcare.co.uk newbie

[mumteedum]

Hi

I'm trying to find occasional babysitter and backup childminder. I've never used website or agency before. How do you verify the person you find? I mean, they could be anyone couldn't they just cos they post on a site doesn't mean they are what they say they are? I probably sound stupid I just don't reallly know how to go about this.

I'd be really nervous letting total stranger in our home with our child.

I've had a response and she sounds nice and has a postive feedback but I dont' know how I'd verify their info.

Any advice/experiences?

Hi as a nanny I regularly use the site. Yes there could be anyone posting on that site. But just like if you was to recruit someone from an agency. You should ask for references and ring up and make sure you speak to the person. Any experience childcare will be able to produce at least two references. If you are looking for more of an experience childcarer ask to see their dbs formally known as a crb first aid etc. Put as much detail in your ad to not waste yours and the other person time. And if possible try and get your child maybe to meet them quickly for short periods if possible so if your child does wake they won't be wondering who this stranger is.

Arrange to meet them during the day, have them over for a cuppa. Ask them to bring any certificates crb/dbs checks, written references. Ask them for at least contact details of one family for whom they have babysat so you can call them for a brief chat.
See how you and your child react to them when they visit, trust your gut instincts.

If they are a childminder you will be able to visit their house and see the certificates displayed. Their home address will match with the one displayed on Ofsted's website (if she consented to have that info displayed) and there might be as well some info on local council's childcare finder (Fis) website. You can also read her Ofsted inspection report/s online. Also ask to see an ID with photo like driving licence or passport.

Don't bother paying to find occasional babysitters - some sites are free - and contact your FIS for a list of registered CMs. If a CM is registered then they'll have all the certificates and won't just be anyone. I have no objection to online sites but I do to paying where you don't have to and that site is expensive for what it is.

Do check references carefully. Call the person and ask them questions to confirm what the sitter told you and them get their opinion. Make sure you see original certificates and original ID in the same name, especially for the DBS check.

NomDeClavier if the babysitter/childminder/nanny on childcare website has paid for membership she/he can contact you and you will not have to pay a penny. The best thing is to have a filled in profile with as much info as possible and you can view/add to favourites the people you're interested. Each time you view the child-carer will get an email she can check your profile and if she/he's interested get back to you.

True, but equally I now loads of nannies etc who say netmums/MN local/gumtree/nannyjob is free for them and they won't pay for membership on other sites. Which is fair enough. Netmums, MN local, the babysitting section of nannyjob and most gumtrees are also free for parents.

A few sites offer checking services (that I would trust as far as I can throw) which might make the fee worth it but I suppose nothing stops you putting a free profile up.

But we digress....

The owner of childcare.co.uk has announced today that it is now free for anyone to contact a gold (paying) member so if you are a parent you can sign up for the free membership and contact any cms, nannies etc for free, whereas previously you would have to be a member. As others have said, you can meet and check out references, certificates, qualifications etc, and most importantly, whether or not you like them!

Childcare.co.uk News - sounds good. Wonder how that feature will be promoted to parents looking for childcare. May be a Send Free Message button or something.

Thanks for replies. I've got gastro bug so haven't been mning today. Will read replies soon though, thanks.

im one of those nannies nom refuse to pay £100 per year on the chance that there might be a family im interested in

tbh most famillies on childcare.co.uk bulk at what salary i want,and want to offer much less

but if i can now send a message to a gold member thats better :)