Childminders

[FlimsySteve]

I've contacted probably nearly 100 childminders so far and I'm just exasperated! He has a space in nursery but we'd prefer a smaller setting really.

We've met at least 10 childminders now who have a space for my son but once we meet up suddenly the space is gone. It feels really personal now and the only explanation is that they feel my child is too difficult to look after - he was born extremely prematurely so is delayed with some things (he's 1) and I honestly think they are discriminating against him because of this.

Is this something childcare providers do?

Unfortunately I think you've made a mistake by just not accepting the places straight away - if you were finding it so hard already why tell the one you were seeing someone else the same week and then tell her you'd give her an answer after that second visit? Given how many you'd seen already why not just say yes straight away? If the setting was clean and safe and you were happy with it you should just have signed straight away? Surely by now you've seen enough setting's to know if you were comfortable sending your child there?

My twins were premature and very few options in my area - I visited the setting and signed the paperwork and paid the deposit there and then

Also childminders all belong to the same local groups and they all talk and know each other - I don't think necessarily the prematurity is an issue but something has blacklisted you?

@Tanmeg you will need to start your own thread not post on an existing one. Although to be honest you'd be better posting on your local Facebook group, this isn't really how mumsnet works

I have done I’m clutching at straws with posting on here. But thanks anyway

@Tanmeg are you looking for childcare or just the taxi service? If the latter then I suspect that's the issue as childminders don't do that.

if you were finding it so hard already why tell the one you were seeing someone else the same week and then tell her you'd give her an answer after that second visit? Given how many you'd seen already why not just say yes straight away?

@shrugitoffonemoretime

She asked me specifically if I was meeting with anyone else. I said "yes I have a visit on the Friday". She said, "no worries, I'll wait until Friday for your answer"

I don't think necessarily the prematurity is an issue but something has blacklisted you?

There wouldn't be anything to blacklist about, the only issue that's ever been mentioned is the lack of walking.

Our first choice of childminder has got a space due to another child dropping out which DS will be attending.

@FlimsySteve

Have you mentioned that your child has a place at nursery to any of the childminders that you have seen?

I am a childminder and I work very closely with a lot of the childminders nearby. We discuss families that have been to see us and one of the main, unifying, reasons that we will not take on a family is if we feel they are only using us as a stop-gap measure until the child gets a place at a nursery. This is usually when the child is on the waiting list of an oversubscribed nursery. We have all taken on children and spent a lot of time and effort settling the child in and then they move to a nursery.

I recently settled in a 5mo, who was exclusively breastfed and hadn’t spent more than an hour away from mum. Unbeknownst to me, the child mass on the waiting list for a nursery next door to the family home. 3 months later I’ve been given notice. I understand why they are moving the child, but it still irks!