Questions for childminder

[purpleme12]

My child is in reception. She's always been in wraparound care before (the type attached to a nursery) but I'm now looking at childminders. So I think it'll be very different and there's different things to think about.

Can anyone help me with questions to ask?
What kind of thing do I need to think about/think to ask?

As many suggestions as possible welcome

Firstly, what do you want from a childminder? Do you want your child to come back to the cm house and be able to watch tv/colour/play in the garden or do you want something a bit more structured?
I definitely fall in to the former with my after school children and the parents are all fine with it. I had a chat with another parent recently who seemed to want more structure so I directed her to the after school club.

What time will you be collecting? How important is food - are you expecting your dc to have had a snack or a meal when you collect them? Some cms offer an evening meal, some don’t.
For some parents it’s important their dc are walking to and from school. Others aren’t bothered either way so long as the dc get there.
Do you need child to be completing homework/reading at the childminders? (I don’t do this, I know others who do).

I am just completing my first school year as a registered childminder providing wrap around care. On the ''meet and greet'' visits with parents and their offspring the most common subjects covered were:
Hourly rates
Allergies/medications etc.
Snacks/meals and prices
Dietary needs and preferences
What activities will be provided and discussions re TV.
Discussions,agreements and signing of contracts can be the easy part but the reality can be somewhat different.
From a childminders point I will point out some difficulties I have faced.
Despite the reasonable and competitive hourly rate I charge I have had ''haggling'' over money to be paid e.g ''I picked my child up 15 minutes early so why haven't you reduced the price?''
Despite agreements when signing contracts I have had complaints about providing too much snack which was considered unhealthy (mini yogurts and sugar free jelly)
Allowing children to keep shoes on in my house -- I prefer this option as all areas used in my house are mopped every day and it avoids children hurting themselves if they step on each other or Lego,etc.
Late payments have also been an issue (still no payment after 2 weeks of an invoice being sent).
My advice to you is be very precise about your expectations of diet (be specific if you do not wish your child to have certain food)
PLEASE pay on time
Discuss payment -- ask if the childminder charges per hour or per session for pick up/drop off. Please don't haggle over the odd few minutes (I'm sure you won't)
Childminders are usually reasonable people who wish your child to be happy and safe.