CM CLUB: looking for some info on the Newport. Tayport, Leuchars area. Anyone there?

[FromGirders]

WE're thinking of moving south of the Tay, perhaps to these areas (DH works in St A). Does anyone have any experience of how busy cms are round about here? I've looked on the CIS website, and there seem to be millions in Cupar. Maybe they all are full and there are plenty of children to go round, but if everyone has vacancies then obviously I can't rely on having my income to contribute towards the mortgage.
Does anyone know if there are any cm networks in this area?
Ta for all help.

Bump?

Hiya, Love the name been a long time since i heard that!

I'm a CM in Leven which is about 20 mins from St.Andrews and prob can't be much help but i know in my area there are definately more kids than CM's!! It's about numbers, ages etc as i'm sure you well know.Although the local college now offers a childminding course and more and more childminders seem to be popping up!

Average charge in my area is 3.50 p/h.Though in St.Andrews i would prob charge a bit more!

Cupar is not too far from St.Andrews/Leuchars but is still quite a small "town", i don't think it's as big as Leven, although i could be wrong!

Are you a member of SCMA (Scottish Childminding Association)? There are networks, though i'm not involved in any. Even giving them a phone, they should be able to give you some information. SCMA are launching their new website very soon or it may be on now.

I know 5 other cm's in Leven and they are all full pretty much 99% of the time

Thanks mrspitt, that's encouraging. Have e-mailed the SCMA, hopefully they'll be helpful whenever they get back to me.

When I lived near Leuchars, and CM'd there, the CM's were all full or at least they were for under 5's, the need for childcare for that age was phenomenal. I had a waiting list, and as far as I know there were three more getting registered when I left and they are full for that age now as well.
The RAF base is there and they need a lot of lfexible childcare, so if you are prepared to be flexible, then all the better

Thanks saltire, I was kind of hoping you'd see this, but didn't like to shout for you personally. I'm very flexible!!
How did you find living in Leuchars, were there some shops in the village / things to do? Toddlers groups or anything? We're swithering which would be better, Tayport or Leuchars, don't think we can afford Newport!!

There is a spar, butchers and post office - run by the very nice Mary and Andy. There is a mums and tots (or at least there was) in the HIVE, but AFAIK it's open to civilians as well, as it's off camp. A few parks as well, one down towards the railway station, and one opposite the school, but not big parks. There are also a couple on the MQ estates, but they aren't exclusive for the MQ's.
I think there are toddler/playgroups in St Andrews, and I may be wrong but I think there were children's things in Cupar, some at the leisure centre IIRC. I used to go to the one in the HIVE and also to a couple of things on camp for toddlers.
I loved it there and would go back tomorrow if I could, hate this place passionately.

Thanks, that sounds all very positive! I need to get the car from dh sometime and actually go and have a trawl round everywhere, try and get a feel for places. Ta heaps for your input!

hi just wanted to let any one out there know there are about 8 childminders in leuchars at the moment and most have full time places available. you can contact the Hive for info