When to start thinking about looking for a childminder?

[bettierose]

Hi all
I'm a first-time expectant mum - not due till end of Feb and absolutely overwhelmed (and a little terrified) about the thought of choosing a childminder (and basically everything else there is to come). I plan (through financial necessity) to go back to work when the baby is 6 months old (so not till September 2007) Was just wondering (as I live in an area where there seem to be lots of babies & pregnant women so figure demand must be high) how early should I be thinking about looking for a childminder? Any advice would be fantastic. Thanks.

i would look while your on mat leave b4 the baby then you have time to ask the queistions
if you find somebody you fall in love with book them if not wait till babys born then ring your favs

Be careful about looking a few months before you need the actual place though. Childminders may require a retainer to keep a place open for you.
As a CM myself I wouldnt charge a retainer unless I had another enquiry and you still wanted the place held. I dont actually use my full quota ie the amount of children ofsted says i can have so would probably never have the need to charge a retainer. But you say there seems to be a lot of pregnant women around you so demand for places may be high. Just wanted to warn you of financial implications of looking early

Visit cm or even nurseries (keep option open) while before birth so you can ask a lot of questions also digist the answers and feelings. I did not do that while pregant but later found it hard to go out visit nurseries and places with DS. Had to make decisions quicker under pressure, etc. Good luck!

Hi another reason to wait is that although you are now planning to go back after 6 months your actual date may change once the baby is born and you may wish to have a bit more time off.

I had booked a nursery place prior to DS being born and in the end we changed to a CM for various reasons so lost the deposit, but it wasn't a great deal of money. I guess what I am saying is that factors may occur to you after the birth that you wouldn't have thought of before.