How to find a childminder asap after being badly let down by my sister

[PanicPants]

Beenn informed by my sister today that she will not be having ds anymore as she is finding it hard work.

So now have to find a cm asap but no idea how to do it.

She used to have ds 3 days a week and a cm has him for 2 days, my lovely cm can only have ds those 2 days due to being full, have rung her, but all the cm's she knows in the area are full up so it's a no go there.

I or dp can't get any parental leave as we've given no notice, my parents are in their 70/80's and are quite poorly, all other family and friends work.

Am panicing now as I have no idea what I'll do with ds. Not to mention being really pissed off with my bloody sister.

Any miracle solutions?

Try these guys here .

I have not used them but I keep it as a reference if ever I need emergency care.

HTH and good luck

What a handy website to know about.

Thanks speedymama

Have you tried looking at your local Child Information Services? What area are you in?

Sorry to hear you are in this situation!

Where are you? - can we find you a MN Minder?

I'm in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Just been looking at the cis website, and there are a couple in the area I'm going to give a ring tomorrow.

Would never have gone back full time if my sister hadn't offered to have ds, as can't afford it.

Good I'm glad CIS have some numbers

Have you checked entitledto.com to see if you will get any more tax credits

Thats a point, I hadn't thought about that.

Thanks katymac

If your current childminder (and you) wanted her to, she could apply to Ofsted to have a variation to her numbers, and request to be able to have your ds for the other days. I asked and was granted a variation to have one of my mindees for an extra day when her mum was offered a work promotion which involved her having to work an extra day.

Sorry about your sister panicpants hope you get something sorted. Just wanted to say thanks to speedymama, however when I checked it for my area, there were no childminders registered, a nursery was registered but had no vacancies at all for December or January and they had no childminders.
We have something in our area called supermums which does emergency cover as well, may be worth googling for your area to see if there is something similar.

Hi Panicpants,
I could ask my cm if she has any spaces if you like. She is fab and DD is very happy with her. She is coming over to babysit tonight as we are going out for my birthday . Let me know.

ThePrisoner - I will speak to my cm and see if thats possible, that would be the ideal solution as ds loves it there now he's settled.

possumhead - Yes please! and if she hasn't can you ask her for any recomendations?

Hi PP, how are things? I spoke to my childminder about your situation today, she is full and can't help, although gave me a name and number of her friend who is a cm. Her friend could take your lovely ds asap. I've met her once and she seems very nice. Let me know if you want her number. I could text or e-mail you the details.
By the way, I hope you are fully recovered from that chest infection now.

Hi ph, my cm is writing to ofsted tonight to apply for an extension for the extra 3 days a week, so fingers crossed they'll say yes. And a friend of mine is going to have J until we break up from school on those days. Phew!

But if not, I'll definitly have that number please! We should know pretty quickly I think, will keep you updated.

Chest infection much better thanks, just a bit of a cough left. How are you? Did you enjoy your lunch with S? You lucky thing! Are you going xmas eve?

Ok...obviously no festive envy emoticon!