When to start looking for childminders?

[Snowi]

Hi,

Will be returning to work in February, when should I start looking for childminders? Thought I'd start phoning round today but seems to be too soon??

I wouold start looking asap. Depends on the age of your child, but the ratios for minded children are restricted to (usually) one child under 1, so if you are looking for a place for a baby you need to start now. Will give you time to meet different minders and see who will suit you best.

I'd say good to check now as some may have mindees moving up to school in January and so looking to fill those vacancies ahead iyswim.

Message withdrawn

Hi Snowi,
I knew who was going to childmind my DD1 (now 6 1/2) when I was 6 months pregnant. I didn't think it was too early, and I felt calmer, knowing that I had that sort it. I didn't have to pay any retainer or deposit. I visited her a couple or times, while I was on ML, but she never asked me to pay her any money in advance.
Good luck!!

I'm returning in late Feb/early March, baby will be 10 months, 1 at the start of May. I started emailing those with emails a couple of weeks ago, intending to then move on to phoning further ones. But I have two very local minders to visit, one on the Tuesday just gone and one tomorrow. I think I'm probably going to go with the first I visited (second to respond positively, the first lives too far from me and from the tube station).

So, not too soon.