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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

where have all the childminders gone?

20 replies

twinsetandpearls · 22/08/2007 16:11

I thought there were loads of childminders all seekeing work and worrying about children's centres taking their business but no in this town there is not one childminder with a vacancy in my area.

I am back at work in two weeks with no childcare and panic is starting to set in.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

crace · 22/08/2007 16:15

What area are you in? Perhaps someone on here can help you?

Have you tried www.childcarelink.gov.uk? Sorry would do link but am rubbish!

Original poster

twinsetandpearls · 22/08/2007 16:29

I am just outside of Blackpool, I have gone through everyone on the childcare information service website and tried looking on the web generally and not one childminder will drop off at my dd school. There is one that said he will consider it but at the moment has no places.

The school breakfast club starts too late for me to get to work and my dd hates it she sobs all the way in on the few occassions we have used it and all of this is upsetting enough for her without having to send her somewhere she hates

OP posts:

KaySamuels · 22/08/2007 16:48

We have all quit due to Ofsted's increasing demands over tedious paperwork!

Call your children's information service up on the phone and ask them for the phone number of the local childminidng network. Someone there may know of childminders in the process of registering, so may not be advertising yet. This is how I got my first family, they were waiting for Ofsted to give me the ok! They may also if they are not far away from comleting their registration take you on unofficially (ie no pay) for a week or two as it means they have a client lined up for them. Anything is worth a try at this stage!

Also ask at school (may get hold of someone even though its the hols), they may know of someone as not everyone advertises online.

Good luck!

Original poster

twinsetandpearls · 22/08/2007 16:58

I think you may be right one of my friend's is a very good childminder but has had to quit due to paperwork.

I am so stressed, I ahve had a major fall out with my mum who looks after dd in the mornings and now have no childcare. I ahve phoned up the CIS and they have no one, we had the same problem when I tried finding a childminder when waiting for dd nusery to open.

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Original poster

twinsetandpearls · 22/08/2007 17:00

We looked nto getting an aupair as we knew my mum was unreliable and that there were no childminders here but it would mean moving dd into the boxroom and dp didn;t like the thought of someone living in our house

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KaySamuels · 22/08/2007 17:02

Seriously if there is a network in your area they will be really helpful and supportive, and try really hard to find you someone, at least my network here would anyway!

Thats a shame about your mum, do you have anyone else who could help you out temporarily?

KaySamuels · 22/08/2007 17:03

Ooh just thought, what about a childcare student at your local college? Could come to you at home then drop dd at school and go on to college?

mogs0 · 22/08/2007 20:13

I'm not on the CIS list as I have had enough mindees since I started so haven't had to look too hard to fill spaces. I also keep a space free for emergency/ad-hoc care. So, I agree with KS about contacting CM network.

Any chance of making it up with your Mum?

Original poster

twinsetandpearls · 22/08/2007 23:12

The networks don;t include the area in which we live and dd goes to school, I will try again tomorrow though. I did have exactly the same problem when I started work and wanted a childminder and in the end had to give up.

OP posts:

mogs0 · 22/08/2007 23:28

Do you mean that your dd goes to a school outside Brentford?

Original poster

twinsetandpearls · 22/08/2007 23:56

Brentford???

No we live just outside of Blackpool.

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Original poster

twinsetandpearls · 23/08/2007 16:13

Was given a rewcomendation by the childcare services department and she stopped childminding a year ago, I am so stressed now I could sit and cry.

OP posts:

Original poster

twinsetandpearls · 23/08/2007 16:16

have phoned them back on the verge of tears and a very nice man said he will try phoning around for me.

OP posts:

Original poster

twinsetandpearls · 23/08/2007 16:57

have got one possibilty who is working out her figures and numbers and will get back to me tomorrow.

OP posts:

KaySamuels · 23/08/2007 17:46

fingers crossed for you

xyzabc · 31/08/2007 11:25

in my area (just outside london) chilminders are becoming more popular. mums sick of nursery sky high charges, and wanting a more natural enviroment for thier child. i have been c/m for years and am turning people away all the time as can only have 3 children. but good luck!

PinkChick · 31/08/2007 14:36

one of the c.ms on here is outside blackpool??..dmo maybe?..might be wrong?

dmo · 02/09/2007 20:00

yes pinkchick i'm in Preston but couldnt drive that far for a school run
could help in the school hols if you need me

how was the hol pinkchick?? we just got back yesterday and its back to work tomo seemed to have gone far to quick but i have got a fab tan

PinkChick · 03/09/2007 08:35

oh it was fab DMO, loved it and although was ready to come home, now i am home, i wish i was still there esp as i have 5 children today!!!!

was yours good then?, i have a fairly good tan considering i was on sunblock 50 for first 4 days! upon advise from very tanned friends..we were booking to go with them again next year then changed mind as didnt want to wait 10 months but now, after getting deposit back off them, think we may actually want to go as we enjoy their company and its a very cheap hol as we're all staying in same hiuge apartment!!..we can neevr make our minds up

PinkChick · 03/09/2007 08:58

scrap that, freinds two dd's who were adhoc have just been picked up unexpectantly by their grandad, so im two children and £30 down on day..hey ho, felt bad charging friend anyway!, but if i offer to have them(when im not busy and i offer i dont charge, when they ask, i charge, feels awkward but what can you do!)

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