Advice on what to ask childminder

[Bumble84]

I have only just had my baby but I’m aware that childcare places get taken up pretty quickly. I’m fairly comfortable in knowing what to look for in a nursery and am going to enquire at 2 local ones. However for a couple of reasons we think a childminder might work out better for us.

I’m just wondering what kind of questions to ask them. Will a childminder be open to a meeting before us deciding to go with them? Would they let us see their home? Obviously this is a bit different just now with covid, but even a video tour maybe, or is this OTT?? I don’t want to waste peoples time or expect too much but I really want to be comfortable with who looks after my DD.

Another question I have is that my partner works shifts which are very set in a 3 week pattern. Is there any scope with a childminder to have 2 weeks of hours the same then 1 different to accommodate this? If there wasn’t it’s not a big deal but just wondered if it was ok to at least ask the question or if they’d think I was a CF?

Hi bumble, any good CM will expect and welcome all the things you want to ask about, although they are unlikely to accommodate a shift pattern - not many will do this as their ratios are not as high as a nursery so every space counts and needs to be paid for.

Of course you should be able to see the setting your child will go to, that's entirely reasonable even if it is done by video link at the moment.

Good luck and it's absolutely the right thing to look now while baby is tiny as good CMs will get booked up

@pjmask thank you for your reply. That’s all reassuring to know, thank you. I thought that would be the case about shift work, not a big deal for us as we budgeted for it anyway. Thanks again

My daughter used a childminder as she were more accommodating Than the nurseries due to her shift pattern. As an emergency services worker her shift pattern was regular and sessions could be planned 3-4 mths in advance. It’s just a case of finding the right childminder

Bumble you sound like a lovely parent to work with. I wouldn't be able to accommodate a request for different days on different weeks. I can only have 3 wee ones under school age a day and I fill these 3 spaces everyday. So I wouldn't have different days available on different weeks.

You might be very lucky and find a childminder who doesn't like to fill all their spaces so might be happy to to let you use any days of the week. I have a friend who usually only has 2 wee ones a day so can accommodate families who need to swap days on different weeks.

Most childminders I know are doing virtual tours of their houses. The room I mostly work from is in my back garden and has double doors that open out onto it. So if it is a dry day I can ask people to come into my garden and they can see my childminding room and kitchen from my garden. Hope you find suitable childcare very soon.

It's fine to ask questions. I have done photos of the setting and had zoom chats with parents and their children. We have to be a bit careful about sending out videos of our homes, for security. I have had 2 children start since March without their parents ever coming in to my house. If you want any ideas of questions you might like answers to, feel free to look at the FAQs on my website www.3mxchildcare.co.uk , Obviously you can just pick out what is important to you. I also wouldn't be able to accommodate shift patterns I'm afraid, but I do know some childminders can offer more flexibility.

@imperialqueen thank you! That’s kind to say. It’s good to know that it’s at least ok to ask the question re shifts and I wouldn’t be laughed out the place!

@SMaCM thanks for the website link I’ll take a look and see what’s relevant for me. Thank you.

Hi

Not all childminders work at full capacity, I know ours doesn't and she has a shift working family and is also flexible for us to add a day or two a week if needed now and again

It's about finding the right person that has the fit for you and can work flexibility for your needs too. My hospital works in i Re rational sport so when he's away I need extra days etc and I explained this when meeting childminders how some mornings I may need some 7am or some til 6pm but only very rarely and I'd let them know in Advance so you'd be surprised how flexible they can be

I take shift workers....we look at their pattern and agree a compromise fee so worth asking