Finding good a childminder

[Flymeaway4]

Any advice on how to find good childminder? I can find a few online with availability, but is there anywhere with honest reviews? Or is it best to meet with a few before deciding? I've not really got anyone I know locally who I could ask.

Absolutely go and meet them. It's such a personal decision that even reviews won't tell you much. You'll know when you meet a few and will have a gut feeling.

Ones which have really good word of mouth will probably have waiting lists, unless there isn't much demand where you are. Try asking on local Facebook groups or asking around at baby groups, etc as well.

Try childcare.co.uk

Get a list from your local council's family information service.
Get some information first, emails are good, ask lots of questions, then you could arrange to visit before making a decision.

Thanks everyone. I guess we'll narrow it down to a few and meet with them

Childminder here. You absolutely must visit as many as you can. Ask amongst family and friends for recommendations. Every childminder has a different set up - you'll see homes that look like homes and you'll see some that look like nurseries. You'll know the right one when you find it. Ask to see, registration certificate and latest ifated inspection report. Make sure first aid, safeguarding and insurance are up to date. Ask about routines etc and have a look around the rooms that your child will be using. Childminders will try their best to accommodate any requests you have relating to the care of your child but please remember, you don't employ them; you use their services. Lots of relationships go sour when parents forget that unfortunately. Good luck.

**Ofsted inspection report

Ask around for recommendations - work colleagues, school, friends, family. Absolutely go and see prospective CM's.
You will know when you've found 'the one'.
Great CM's are hard to find, so once you have one keep hold of them forever!!

I asked in a local Facebook group - it was actually called something like ‘find childcare in X area’ or something, I also got recommendations from mums in a baby/ toddler group I’d joined.

Saw a couple, surprised myself with who we ended up choosing actually because I really liked the idea of the one that was set up more like a mini-nursery, but in the end warmed far more to the one who was very much just a home from home type setting and actually that’s working great for my daughter.

There’s quite a bit of variation in style and what they offer that only really becomes apparent on meeting - I chose ours because she seemed so warm and ‘mumsy’ for want of a better word and connected really well with DD. She’s really outdoorsy and forever out digging in the garden or taking them to the farm or jumping in puddles or whatever, which makes me feel better about being lazy on the days dd is home with me.

Thank you for your advice everyone!