What questions to ask a childminder?

[2labs]

Ds is 3 months and I am planning on starting work again (I am self-employed, work from home) when he's 6 months old. I think I would be after someone to take him 2 or 3 days a week to start with... He's my first and I haven't a clue how it all works or what I should expect from a childminder. Once I start looking for one in earnest, what questions should I ask?

Ask for references from/phone numbers of current parents.
How many school/nursery runs per day.
How many older school age children might be cared for in school holidays as well as under fives.
Arrangements to protect babies from bigger children picking them up or falling/standing on them/choking hazards.
Attitude to crying babies.
How daily information on changes/feeding is shared eg verbally or in diaries.
Overall cleanliness of premises and hygiene.
Ofsted report.

here
did two other linksbut theyve gone??????????

if you log on to the NCMA website there is a section for parents with lots of advice for choosing a childminder and information about what a registered childminder is -good luck