How far in advance?

[Ceebs85]

FTM here. DP was going to take 3 months off with our baby and we'd planned to do shared parental leave. He's now having second thoughts so I need to find a childminder.

Worried now that I've much less time than we'd thought we'd have.

How far in advance of starting with a CM will I need to have secured the care? This is a whole new world of worry for me!

I'm taking bookings now for next September, but equally I could be seeing someone for a September space in August. Spaces do come up sometimes at other times of year, but mostly at September.

That's not really helpful, but put the feelers out now and see what your local childminders say and whether you like them.