advice on when and how to find a childminder!!

[fairibell]

Hello wondering if anyone can give me some advice - I am expecting a baby in June. We are hoping to stretch the finances so that I go back to work at Christmas (otherwise ma need to be half term). Anyhow I am a teacher, will be going back to work 3 or 4 days a week (depending on what fits in with school!), as a teacher don't need a childminder over the holidays, although realise that likely to need to pay something over this time (or do some childminders do term-time only?).

Anyhow what I really need to know is when to start contacting people - when will they know about vacancies? do they have waiting lists?

Any advice greatly appreciated as really not too sure what I need to be doing at this point!

thanks so much

Sarah

xx

hi sarah,

If you go on to the childrens information services website they will be ble to give you a list of local childminders in your area. As for the holidays some childminders will do term time only contracts. i am a childminder and his mum is also a teacher, i have him 3 days a week but i do charge all year as i have to keep his place open, but mum finds it useful as she gets a few days to catch up on things at home, but i have a 5 year old and 7 month old so i do take ALOT of the holidays off and she dont pay me for holidays so it works out well, you may find some childminders want half fee etc

Hi Sarah,
I am a childminder and I keep places open for parents once the baby as arrived but not before in case parents change thier mind. You never know how you are going to feel untill the baby arrives.
Hope this helps
Amanda

I would LOVE to stay at home! But going to struggle paying the mortgage and bills for 6 months let along any longer

Hi Sarah,

On the whole the earlier you start looking, the better - good childminders rarely have vacancies for very long as we usually get work by word of mouth

Before baby is born, ring a few and see what their availability is like and then after baby is born arrange to visit a few

Lots of cm's do term time only and even those who don't often don't mind a situation like yours as it frees up a place and allows them to mind children who only want to come in school hols - iyswim

Your chosen cm will usually request a retainer from you as they are unable to earn anything for that place once it's being held for you.

Don't allow a childminder to request a retainer for a place they don't yet have and certainly don't pay one until after baby is born

HTH