Questions to Ask

[thebigthreefive]

What questions should I ask when I meet a childminder for the first time?

DD will be just over a year when I go back to work, she has allergies (milk and cashews so far). She's BF, but I'm not planning on pumping, she'll have water and oat milk while I'm away and BF overnight and when I'm not in work. She's in cloth but it's not a deal breaker if CM doesn't want to use those.

She naps twice now but she might be down to one by the time she goes.

I guess I need to know about holidays? Sickness? What happens if the CM is sick? What happens if the traffic is terrible and I'm late?

Oh and how will you ensure that you absolutely never let my PFB cry

You will need to know what fees cover, any extras, does she provide food, are playgroup and trips out covered in fees ?

Yes to questions about her charges to yours and her holidays and sickness . Everyone is different but it is normal to charge a parent in full for all there holidays and sickness and you WILl be charged late fees for collecting late for what ever the reason as everyone uses that excuses oh the traffic was bad and just expects the childminder to work late usually eating into there family time for free on a regular basis not the odd one off. There is also usually a charge if you turn up early before contracted drop off time as well. I charge £5 for every 15 minutes or there part off in parents turn up early in the morning before I open and the same if they are late collecting. Sadly had one to many parents take the mick over the years.

I would ask about the other dc she minds. Are they school age? Does she need to do a school run? Look at the space, inside and out. Does she take them on trips out? Where? Baby groups?
Will you be going back full time op?
I'm a SAHM and used to go to every toddler group, stay and play, children's centre, play ground etc that there was going. I've met loads of cms over the years- ask other mums for recommendations.