How do I get a childminder for September?

[HopefulHamster]

Hello! I am on mat leave and return to work in September. I have a reception age boy who'll be going into year one, and a baby who will be 11 months. I'm hopefully looking for a childminder who will take both, or one just to do wraparound care for the eldest if that's all I can (would use nursery for baby in that case).

I wanted to look up childcare now rather than panic nearer the time, but also because I thought they got booked up.

One childminder has just got back to me saying 'I have availability but September is far away. Let's keep in touch'.

I can't go back to work without childcare being sorted! When is it normally done? I thought due to primary school info being released in April, it was relatively common to start looking for September childcare about nowish.

Is this childminder just hedging her bets (understandably)? Would others agree that September is okay now, or am I being ridiculously early?

Sorry I sound like a dick saying 'hedging her bets'. Of course she wants work between Feb and Sep if possible! But there must be ways of agreeing childcare in advance and I'm just a complete novice as to how/when it's done.

Hello I like you wanted to have childcare prepared well in advance before returning to work I found someone who had vacancies and who I liked but you would need to pay a retainer, I paid 50% fees for the 3 months I wasn't usually the childminder for them to hold my space. If u are fine to pay this by all means fine someone now but if not I would look nearer the time. Lots of childminders loose pre schoolers in Sept so they may know in advance if they will have space or not tho. So in this case they wouldn't charge a retainer until that child leaves but may want a deposit of some kind. Hope this helps

If they have space Now, of course no one is going to hold it for you for 6 months!

They won't know if they have a space in September untilthe parents give them notice. Whic won't happen 6 months in advance

Some might know now that one of their mindee will go in school, but it might be part time. Other might not want to lose their time so early for parents who will find another option because it's so early (it happens a lot).

I would wait until April to start looking.

Gah that all sounds sensible it's just nervewracking waiting and hoping but I guess everyone else does it!

If I knew I had a child starting achool in September, I would book the space now. If I had a space now, I would not give it to someone to start in September.

Cool, I feel silly for asking the question now, it's just been so long since I had to sort out childcare I'd forgotten how it's done. Bit awkward having baby and five year old to sort too.

HopefulHamster ( ). Maybe you could use those few weeks to look around you at playgroups/park and see if you spot childminders,then start talking with them, ask to the parents around if they have a childminder to recommend. Is there a Facebook page for parents in your area

Are you sure you will choose a chilminder or is a nannyshare an option?

You can start slowly so you don't feel that you do nothing (April is in 6 weeks, it will come fast)

I am just in the process of signing a September starter. One of my little ones is starting school so I know in advance that I will have a space available. They will not need to pay a retainer as the place becomes available as they need it.
I would be visiting childminders and getting on 'interest' lists of those I like so that they let you know if they get any vacancies.

I'm a childminder and I know I will have 2 places available in September as I have 2 children who will be starting school then. I would be delighted to sign up a new starter now to fill a place. September is usually a bit of a stressful time for childminders as many have places become free because of school starters and we are all looking to sign up new children at the same time.
Your council website may well have a family information service section which lists local childminders. Also if you have a local Surestart centre they may have some childminder details. I would suggest phoning a few to see if they may have places and then arranging visits. I would think the childminder you spoke to has available places now so wants to fill that place asap rather than in September. Others may be full now but will know if they will have September places. September is actually a great time to be looking for childcare for.

Thanks jendot2 and Lindy2 that gives me hope that I wasn't being completely bonkers in starting enquiries now :)