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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Childminder for May - Woodford Green

13 replies

rita2007 · 20/02/2008 23:15

looking for a childminder who will take on my baby under 1 for april or may....someone who does not take care of too many young kids at one time (no more than 2 others). someone in it for the love of it, not so much the £££. i'd be wanting someone for 2 or 3 days a week. thanks.

first time mom )

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Original poster

rita2007 · 20/02/2008 23:15

you can contact me at [email protected]

OP posts:

KatyMac · 20/02/2008 23:16

Childminders are normally only allowed 3 under 5's anyway

Original poster

rita2007 · 21/02/2008 11:11

money is obviously an incentive but i don;t want someone who just takes on more than they can chew so they can collect more and more £££££

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ROSEgarden · 21/02/2008 13:48

Any childminder worth their salt (and everyone i know on here will agree) would not take on a baby if they didnt think they could manage perfectly, as you know babies are hard work, but i have a just gone 1yr old 2 days per week at the same time i have a 3yr old and a 2yr old and i dont just manage, we have fun, they are safe and with me they all get attention they need.

Everychildminder, childminds for 'the money' i love some of my mindees to bits but i 'could' neevr do it for nothing thats just madness, we need to earn a wage the same as everyone else does and ofsted's ratios ensure we are limited to how many we care for, so at most the cm you chose would only have you child and another 2 through the day, they could have a max of 3 other between ages 5 and 8, but they would be at school half or full days..i have 7 children all together on diff days, another cm on here has 17 (i think?) and id neevr doubt her care and quality of care for anyone of them!

oh and at £3 per hour most places, cm'ing is not a job just for the money!!

crace · 21/02/2008 13:52

I am a bit confused as what you are looking for.. I suggest that you look carefully at c/m's in your area (try www.childcarelink.gov.uk. You will get a feel whether the c/m is up for the job or not.

I do understand your nervousness as a first time parent, but rather confused on the money bit? Not sure why that plays into it. If you are worried about c/m taking on more than their ratios that is a separate matter and nothing to do with the money.

I would try and get a recommendation or see a few childminders several time "working" and get a feel for the best one for you.

Good luck!

Original poster

rita2007 · 21/02/2008 20:52

thanks for showing some understand, crace.
It seems all other respondees have taken my message rather personally. i ONLY said i wanted to find someone who is not in for just the £....whether that be a lot or little is not the point!!!

i am a first time mom and very nervous about all this. i did get a list but only 3 had openings. one had a tentative person starting in march which was a shame as she sounded like a lovely grandma who said she just wanted to have 2 kids as now its about the joy of having kids around not SO much about the wage and the other 2 had people who could take my boy on said they'd need to take on others if they could find them for march....so you see why i am posting on here..... the childmiders list only shows those who have an opening NOW, not in may.

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KatyMac · 21/02/2008 21:59

Rita honey - sorry you took it the wrong way but would you say that to
a solicitor? that you want one that isn't in it for the money?
or a dentist?
A teacher? or a nurse? How about an accountant?

Childcare is already a very low pay job - by implying that anyone might do it without a thought to the money was short-sighted and could be thought to be rude (IMO)

I though my post was a bit sceptical (& intended to be surprised and teasing) - whereas Rose's was factual and helpful (OFSTED etc.)

But by implying that childminder's would breech their registration "someone who does not take care of too many young kids at one time (no more than 2 others)" or that we only work for money "someone in it for the love of it, not so much the £££" does not show you in a very generous light

Childminding is a very hard job - we do it for various reasons but I would say 80-90% of childminders do it because they need to earn - the mortgage needs to be paid as does the shopping bill & the electric

Original poster

rita2007 · 21/02/2008 23:29

look....you are taking it too seriously....the words i used were ''not so much the £££''.....and i gave a perfect example of the grandma who does it as much for the money as she does as it gives her something nice to do....be around kids again. anyhow, sorry to you and who ever took it the wrong way but i never thought anyone would think i am offending childminders. and yes, some people do take on a lot of kids as tehir is no limit for those 8 yrs and up.

i will remove myself from this thread...sorry again. good luck & take care.

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MaureenMLove · 21/02/2008 23:41

Hi Rita. When you say the childminders listed, do you mean you have just looked at a list and haven't phoned any of them? I only ask, because it might be an idea to give them a ring. Many cm's belong to networks and if they can't help, they may be able to direct you to someone that can help. Also, many cm's may be able to accommodate you, as you are only after part time. Do give them another go, its worth a try.

BTW, I think it was the way you refered to money as ££££, a bit like a cartoon character with pound signs in their eyes! Sadly, the last thing CM's get, is very much money after tax, so its always a bit of a sore point with us! There was no offence taken, honest!

crace · 22/02/2008 09:47

Rita, have you rung round and seen if there are places available in May? I have a feeling most will know whether something comes up or not, or can put you on a waiting list? I am sure this is something that you want sorted out - and don't worry, parents DO worry about their childcare choice. A good childminder is in for the children, then money (although little) is frankly just a happy biproduct.

Don't worry about it - hopefully you find something good soon.

Original poster

rita2007 · 22/02/2008 23:03

thanks, crace and maureen....I still don;t have any idea of how much childminders charge, so its not nice to hear, they are under-valued. I'd pay one above the normal rate if I felt good about them....there is nothing more valubale in this world to me than my child )

yes, i did ring around to a few (probably 5 people off the list) but only one is in the running now and when i asked her if she was to find a FT baby to take care of earlier than May, she admitted she would have to take that and the other lady i liked has a 4 mth old starting in March....so no go there!

Anyhow, i visited a nursery today and feel hopeful about this one. It is more expensive than most..... £60 per day almost but worth it for the peace of mind....as funny as this may sound i want to go back to work to establish myself, and have some interaction with diff people rather than for the money....altho that is a nice bonus too

OP posts:

KatyMac · 23/02/2008 21:11

pop your post code in here make sure you don't tick 'current vacancies only'

& you should get an idea for your area

Original poster

rita2007 · 26/02/2008 12:19

this is cool. thanks

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