Questions for minder-advice please!

[thereareworsethingsicoulddo]

I'm meeting with a prospective childminder for my DS next week. What questions do I need to ask her aside from the obvious hours and cost? I'm very nervous about leaving my PFB please help!

What does she charge for your holidays/her holidays/bank holidays
Why did she get into cm?
What kind of activities doe she do at home?
What places do they visit?
Do they attend toddler groups/cm groups?
What kind of food does she serve?
Is food included?
Who else lives at home?
Ask to see registration, insurance, disclosure etc

Thanks Paula. Being a bit thick now, what do you mean by disclosure?

Their criminal back ground check. It has different names depending which country you are in in the UK :)

You don't need to see a childminder's disclosure and it's not appropriate to ask for it. It's a private document for Ofsted and they have done the checking for you.

If she has a registration certificate, that is your assurance that she is checked as suitable to work with young children.

How important is it that they are Ofsted Registered?

It's the law that they are registered if caring for more than 2 hours a day so vital!!

Very important as its illegal to childmind children under 8 without being OFSTED registered.

Aha ok. So a 'registered childminder' means Ofsted registered? Sorry if I seem a bit naive!

Yes it does. Do you need any more help?

Maybe not so relevant for a baby but what is their method of discipline - naughty step, warnings etc - just for consistency with home where possible. What they do if food is not eaten (offer alternative/reporting back)

Thanks everyone that's really useful