Is this normal

[AleaEim]

I’m hoping to find a childminder for my child when I finish mat leave in December. I found three/ four I liked and wanted to meet with them to arrange a viewing to narrow it down but they’ve all been really hard to get a hold of. They all say that they are full and will put us on a waiting list and that we can view the setting in the mean time. Each one of them have been so slow at responding, think weeks, not days. Two in particularI really like the look of from their social media pages and they have also been recommended time and time again on posts I’ve put up on local FB groups. I’ve had to chase them for information even after they seemed interested in putting us on their waiting list. One of them took two weeks to reply and now hasn’t messaged back when I came back to her with a date for the viewing. The other one messaged me on Sunday (after she ignored my first message for weeks) saying she would be in touch Monday with dates but hasn’t messaged since.

Is this normal with childminders? Are they just too busy to reply? they’re on their own and don’t have assistants so I understand they’re busy. If they have no interest then so be it but they told me they may have space so that’s why I’m chasing them as they seem really good in paper.

@somethingelseinthebox

The childminder has a rightly got a radar for difficult patents. We love our CM and had to wait to see her as she was so busy, we knew to let her know that we were keen and let her get back to us.

We don’t feel that they shouldn’t have opinions they can freely express or the right to screen parents as if they shouldn’t and should be just grateful to look after children and get paid. That’s how it’s coming across.

I’m sure you’re excellent as you seem so so busy with the children you’re looking after right now, so attentive and not trying to cause petty arguments on a forum. You’ve been rude from the start and I don’t know why I sound difficult as all I expect is decent communication and a viewing from a potential CM, apparently that makes me a nightmare. As I said I’ve found other CMs who were better at communication and allowed DH and I to view while the setting was open. Not such a big deal.

What’s all this rubbish about screening us as parents. That’s not what happened, we had basic chat about potential spaces but communication was poor for the initial CMs I contacted and I just wondered why. It’s a them issue it seems as the others I’ve now contacted have been communicative, direct and organised in sending me info even though they are also full for now.

It’s not a ‘them’ issue. The childminders in question just don’t work in a way you expect them to. Perhaps they really are just that busy and just don’t have time. Perhaps the way you’ve dealt with them has thrown red flags as that’s what’s happened with yourself and how you feel about them. And yes, all childminders screen potential families as they welcome the children into a small group in their home.

It does depend I know I won't have any space for over 18months I wouldn't agree to seeing you but I might take a number in case parents leave, get pregnant, move etc. I wouldn't particularly worry though
Oh and I answer when I'm not working or right now when 2 8 year olds are playing football....we don't all have to be with the children 11 hours a day non stop you can't assume the other lady isn't any good because she's posting.

I've only posted when I've finished work or if all the children are sleeping and I have a moment for lunch. I'm far too busy to sit and answer your tedious posts when I have 6 children here today.

Do you not realise, you’re not allowed a moment to breathe. You have to watch the children and count each breath they take as they sleep. Don’t forget, you’re not allowed to have anything to eat, go to the loo or have a cuppa 🙄. And let’s not forget, you have to jump to attention if a prospective family contacts you!

@AleaEim

Read back your posts it’s you that’s rude and very defensive also extremely disrespectful to the childminder that’s given you honest opinions as to why some may not be able to see you.

It’s really irked you to think childminders could be turning you down isn’t it.

Also, implying the childminder isn’t doing her job and a bad childminder because you don’t agree with her is very bad form and ignorant, as if she’s working every waking moment of her life. You don’t know her working hours.

You’ve also implied childminders that didn’t get back to you straight away are rubbish are their job.

So yes you’re a nightmare and I think you’ll find you’re screened out a lot because your attitude to childminders is screamingly obvious.

Wanting quick answers and viewings isn’t wrong in itself but it’s the undertone of your post and comments that’s very telling.

Wow that escalated!
Childminders are busier than ever as demand for spaces has gone through the roof since funding was introduced from 9 months old children.
I also never interview whilst working, far too disruptive to the children in my care.
And we absolutely do interview the parents as much as you feel you’re interviewing us 😂

This makes complete sense. It's unclear to me why the childminders aren't being upfront with the OP though. It's a very simple message to convey.

Some parents hound and don't take no I've not got space no matter how upfront you are. I had a parent ring every other day even though I said I'm fully booked for x months.

I would have taken a no if it was the answer I got, I’ve come to the conclusion they’re a bit unorganised as the others have been fine in responding.

But they told you that they didn’t have immediate spaces, they told you that they had waiting lists. Do you really expect them to stop everything, throw down the red carpet and rush to meet you? It doesn’t sound like they were rude whatsoever.

I'm not sure that telling you that they are full and have a waiting list isn't the same as saying no I can't take your child. If they can take 3 children and are full with a waiting list of even 3 children your not likely to get a space before your child starts school so why would they waste everyone's time?

No, I just expected the bare minimum of responding to questions like other places have since I’ve written the post. Other CMs with outstanding ratings are full and have responded appropriately, put DD on a waiting list, allowed us to view while open and sent all appropriate documents, the two I mentioned initially have been flaky although very sought after. Can’t understand why, I’m unimpressed with them now anyway. I’m repeating myself now, goodbye, find a hobby.

🙄