Parents where do you look first for a CM?

[AMF88]

Just what it says in title really!

I have advertised on mn local, childcare.co.uk and on my local FIS but there seems very few parents are getting in touch. I've started emailing old contacts and messaging people who have advertised on gumtree and so on. Is there something I'm missing? I haven't had to advertise before as I've been full from day one, but all my older children are going off to nursery so suddenly find myself with spaces to fill!!

Well I always used FIS, but several CM's around here seem to advertise in the local shop and Post Office windows when they have vacancies.

That's a good idea- I will ask if I can do that, are they charge for putting up small advert do you know?

Our post office is really cheap. Also, depending on where you live, a sign on the front fence often works for me. Best advert is meeting people at toddlers who are going back to work and have seen you with the children. Let all the other local CMs know you have spaces, so they can pass queries onto you.

I asked the lady who led our NCT course for suggestions/recommendations.

I had heard about our (fabulous) childminder from an acquaintance, but actually contacted her when she posted a message saying she had spaces and her contact details on a local Facebook group. Not a baby-specific one I don't think, it was either a general town discussion one or a for sale page. That could be worth a shot?

Ahh that's interesting I don't use Facebook often but yes can imagine it is a good advertising space!
Thanks all!!

I've seen lots of adverts for cm's on our local fb selling page.

I've used netmums (I know, I know -- MN had so few listings!), and the council FIS. I also asked at the school and went to a couple of 'meet local childminder' events that the council organised. So you could see if your council does those, and let any schools you can collect from know that you're available. Though come to think of it it was the reception TA at the school who told me about childminders in the area.

I used childcare.co.uk, but do you know that you have to pay to be able to send a message? So I couldn't contact the childminders I was interested in. I put up a free profile, and then the childminders contacted me. Have you been checking childcare.co.uk that way?

Yes I don't really want to pay for it!!
Yes I often look to see who has liked my profile, or even just looked at it and then I msg them. However I will pay if nothing crops up soon!
Thanks all, you've been helpful

If you a member of PACEY you can advertise for free on ichild through the PACEY website, I have had a few enquiries that way. Also look into getting your own website as I find that really helps boost your profile locally.

Most of my minded children are younger siblings of children at my children's school. if I had spaces I would try the school newsletter first.

FIS and prefer email contact initially as know cm are busy and with email people can respond in own time.

I have looked on childcare.co.uk but think fis has all cm details locally

Could you advertise at your local children's centre?

Well I have just moved so haven't been to local childrens centre yet...but I will! Thanks all you have given me some good tips, if I only use a couple of them I'm sure to get a call!