How do I actually find a childminder?

[AyeWhySWIM]

So I can get the list of registered childminders from the council. I can look on childcare.co.uk. I don't really know anyone who uses a childminder. So how do I actually find a childminder that suits our needs? I can't actually phone everyone on the lists so where do I start? We also have quite a wide area in which we'd consider looking. Seems like an insurmountable task right now...

Thanks in advance for your help!

Email them?

Why do you have a wide area in which you would look?

I would try to focus the area, consider the future - which school is your child likely to attend?

I would find a childminder close to your home or the local school.

Think about what your needs are... days and hours you need care, any special requirements such as a nut-free home?

I would call/email a few and see who has space to take your child, arrange to visit them, see which you and your child like.

Thanks.

I have an under 1 to accommodate for 3 fixed days per week.

We're likely to be moving out of the immediate area within the year so my only concern is the present time which is why I'm open to considering cm's between here and my place of work. Besides, I've met most of the ones in my village (not many to start with) and they're not suitable for one reason or another.

Also, where I live is close to the borders of 3 other council areas so I'll potentially be contacting 4 councils. I wish each cm had a little paragraph about themselves with their number so you could do some short listing and save everybody the time and inconvenience.

Can you put a post on netmums? Or I think you can advertise on childcare.co.uk and they will approach you - would cut out those who don't have space. Our local FB selling page also seems to be a source of childminder recommendations

Not round here, I'm afraid Frusso.

Thanks, that's helpful Ktay

I started with the council list which gave their postcode, which I then google mapped to check the location. I discounted any that were outside of my preferred area. I also got the local school list and found that not all childminders are listed on the council list, so that added a few more to the pot. Then it was a case of emailing or calling to see if they had space. I contacted each of them, probably about 17 in all. Out of those 17, I have appointments to visit 5 of them. The rest didn't have space or couldn't do the days I wanted or were term time only.

I also checked out childcare.co.uk, but annoyingly you have to pay to access the contact info. Having said that, most childminders on there feature their full name or surname and so you can usually just identify them by crossing checking it with the council or school list. The advantage to childcare.co.uk is that there is a space for a description.

In all honesty though I was pretty disheartened as most didn't have space, so whilst you might not relish the thought of having to call or email, you might find you have to in order to find someone suitable.

Good luck in your search.

Depending on your LA website, you may be given CMs name, you could try google that as some CM have websites/fb pages. This will give you some more info.

Otherwise it is just a case of getting in contact with them! It can be a long task, count yourself lucky that you have so many options!!

Definitely write a list of your priorities, not only will it help narrow down the list of CM to call, but you need to be prepared to ask them things anyway.

I wouldn't reccomend childcare.co.uk, as not all CM pay for it!! Word of mouth is my best friend, I never advertised, so speak to teachers, local parents, see if you can pop along to a childminder session at a children's centre!

Send out an email with your requirements to all the childminders, on all the lists. Phone any that don't have an email/website listed. See who has space, go from there.

Also ask around, often word of mouth is the best way.

Thanks for all the help.

I started the ringing round but once I'd chatted to one who didn't have space she recommended another, who did the same so after only a few calls I had managed to make a short list who I'm going it meet. Not half as bad as I expected :-) Just hope one of these will be a The One or it's back to the drawing board.