How many childminders should we meet with?

[Nobhobs]

We've met with one childminder so far for when I go back to work in April, my son will be 9 months. I warmed to them and am happy with the set up from what I've seen so far, we will have another meeting or two and a taster session before we sign any contracts but I'm just wondering if I should be meeting a few others? Is it silly to go with the first one we meet with? I'm so clueless!

Bump

Try to meet 2 or 3 more but go on gut instinct more than anything.
Check their paperwork, references and Ofsted report.
If the CM goes to a toddler group or anything like soft play ask if you can tag along too. Spend a bit of time in their company.

I only met one and knew instantly she was the best one. And I was right! She's amazing. Just listen to your gut, check their qualifications, their OFSTED number, other children's (if their parents have given permission to the CM) learning journals etc.

There is no right or wrong answer to this. Keep going until you meet the right one. For us it was the first, we had quite an extensive list from the local childrens centre but 1 came very highly recommended by a trusted friend. We met her first and both dh and I said we both knew within a few minutes. It was such an easy relaxed meeting, laughter, chatting and most importantly velcro ds went to her so happily we were just .

I find some people see at least two other childminders to compare them etc others visit and sign up that night as they just know. Just remember until you have signed contracts she is still advertising the space so may not be there after you have seen other childminders. I would also check you get the taster session before you sign contracts as most childminders I know only offer settling sessions after contracts and deposits have been paid.

I’m a childminder. Some people have come to see me and have made it clear they are viewing every other minder in the area. Others come and see me and I am the only one they have seen. There is no right or wrong to this, if you are both happy with her and can see the relationship working out, then sign up. Some like to see a couple more so they can compare but some have said that once they met the right cm, they knew and visiting others was a waste of time. I think if you see too many you can get confused about who is offering what and also what it is you are actually looking for. If you are happy with the one you have found, stick with her.

have you spoken to any others? I had a couple of phone calls with 2-3 different childminders so I understood that mine was offering the same as others. I did meet one other and I didn’t have a good feeling so in future I’d probably just go for one if I was happy with her and not worry about meeting others.

Re the taster sessions...in order to be fully safeguarded a cm will usually ask for a contract, permission and child info forms to be completed before they have an unaccompanied child for any length of time. You need to look at the start date of the contract and the settling in period. On pacey contracts it's possible to have a settling in period that runs for a number of weeks after a full contract starts during which time either party can say it's not working and end the contract immediately the parent then only pays for what has been worked and any deposit but no notice. The taster sessions can be after contract is signed but before the start of the full time space.

I only met 2. I looked at 5 nurseries and didn’t like any. Met one childminder and I knew I wanted to use her. Met another one just cos I thought I should and she confirmed my thoughts on the first one!

That said, we haven’t actually started yet, so it may all go wrong still! I just went with my gut though.

Hi childminder here.
Always ask prospective parents if they have visited other minders and if not suggest they do. We all have rules and procedures that we have to follow but all have our own way of doing things. I am always aware that the parents will be leaving their most precious thing in the world with you and I want them to be comfortable with that for all our sakes.
Good luck.

Not silly to go with the first one at all. Remember though that childminders are also weighing you up to see if you are a good fit with them.