If you use a childminder, how many did you visit before you chose yours?

[TheBlonde]

If you use a childminder, how many did you visit before you chose yours?

Thanks, I have arranged to see one next week and have a couple more to call

Spoke to one on the phone who I didn't like and visited one I wasn't thrilled with.

The third one was the one - knew within the first minute or thereabouts.

I've had parents visit me who have visited lots and lots of childminders, even if they didn't come over that well on the phone. Other parents have visited a few, based on how well the telephone chat went. (And some parents who have only ever visited me and were, obviously, completely bowled over and didn't want to see anyone else!!

I think you should visit as many as you are able to until you find the right one.

Just the one, I knew when I met her that I would be happy leaving ds with her.

I was living in a different city when I was looking for our CM so I met four. Our Cm was the first and we were sure we liked her but had already arranged others as were only down for the day. Meeting the others just confirmed we were right!

meet with her once pre ds1 then anothe time post ds1 then he started aged 5.5 months. had been recommended her by another mother and just hit it off. she is simple fantastic and the dss adore her.

Right, have done one visit but didn't feel CM was right for me
Now need to call alternatives

As a childminder with young children if I was looking, I would see evryone with spaces!!! The NCMA webpage has some great questions to ask potential childminders from your side!!

Keep going until you feel comfortable as you and the childminder will develop a strong relationship throughout the minded time and trust is a HUGE issue that you need to feel happy with

HTH

I just visited the one, she had good recommendations from neighbours who had seen children with her and when I phoned one of the other mindees mums, she raved about her.

I'm not back at work yet just dropping DS in for the odd session with her, but I saw a lovely sight today, two happy children skipping along for a walk with an adult. I didn't think it was the nursery children as they generally look more herded than that, then I realised it was my minder and her two other mindees. Felt ridiculously happy that I had made a good choice.

I visited 1 and signed up straight away, they are brilliant. DS has been with them for 7 weeks now and we have had no problems.

Rookie mum where are you? Any more space with your child minder?!! Sounds like you should be very proud of yourself. I have visited 3 child minders all of whom have very good attributes but one thing or other not quite right. I am finding it very difficult as I am being pressured to give a start date and I can't seem to find our Mary Poppins.

If anyone knows a great childminder in Colchester please let me know. Many thanks

Sorry estobi1 I'm nowhere near. Try asking the neighbours, it worked for me !