Can't decide which childminder to go for ... looking to MN wisdom! please help me choose!

[greenday]

I'm starting work and this is the first time I am seeking childcare and its for one day a week. I have a 4yr old DD and 8mth DS. DD goes to school 9-11.30am and then reception in Sept.

My basic criteria is (apart from meals) - pick up DCs from mine, drop DD off to school, pick DD up, drop them off back home at end of day.

So far, I've met 2 childminders and here are their advantages and vice-versa :

Childminder A :
Lives further away but drives.
Only have my DCs to look after along with her own 2yr old DD.
Can pick DCs up and drop them off end of day.
Very small flat and not very conducive.
Not registered but has minded other children for the last 2 years. Has worked with children as part of her career training.
Quiet type of personality. Can't get a feel of how she's like as a person.
Charges an affordable rate for looking after 2 DCs.

Overall, more flexible and can accommodate to my requirements.

Childminder B :
Lives nearer.
Looks after several other children.
Registered.
Doesn't drive - walks and takes buses.
Flat is more conducive for children.
Definitely more experienced and confident. I know people who know her and think highly of her.
I can only afford to have DS for childminding under her (but can arrange for DD to go to friend's on that day).
I'll have to drop DCs off and pick them up at end of day.

OVerall, more professional but not flexible due to constraints with other children but more experienced and competent. Can work around dropping off / picking up and arranging for DD to go to friend's on that day, but is it worthwhile the inconvenience?

Also, considering that I haven't worked for a few years now and am eager to prove myself, ideally, it would be nice for that day to go smoothly without too much of the everyday hassle that comes with children.

Any thoughts, insights, advice, etc ... please do share!! Thanks!!!

Knee jerk reponse as stopped reading after not registered - she isnt a cm imo and you shouldn't go near her.

It can't be down to money. Sorry, but it can't.

Also, surely more CM have you bring the kids to them? Are they meant to go round all the parents houses collecting their kids for the day?

It is illegal to look after children for more than 2 hours a day.

look at this thread

How did you find Childminder B? Some ideas of good places to look if you want to speak to more childminders and compare:

Childcare Link
Gumtree
London Online

Also your local paper, noticeboards around soft play areas/toddler groups/anywhere else mums & kids are likely to congregate. And if you speak to childminders who are full ask them if they can recommend anyone they know - most would probably have someone in mind who has a space going. Free advice from the experts in the area!

DEFINATLY NOT NUMBER 1!..shes not reg, not insured, not qualified(to correct guidlines), if you're not totally happy with number 2 then looka round again!
Its your children, you need to KNOW theyre safe and cared for!

Childminder A is affordable..becasue shes NOT a childminder!!!!!
Dont palm your children off with someone who cant be botherd to become reg/insured!

Greenday, have you looked intot eh childcre element of tax credits?, you shouldnt be paying full costs!?

After reading your description I would go for B. I have been using cms for 14 years and have always gone for registered ones, with first aid, safety, inspected premises. They have all become friends, one is dd's godmother now and I am her dd's. I would always trust them to look after my children and have the back up knowledge that they are qualified to do so and have chosen to do so, not just a way to supplement their income. My cm doesn't drive and I like that ds walks back and forth to school. Sure, she can't take them places, but we have a nice park beside school, she has put a lot of thought into organising her garden for them(just recently bought a trampoline) and I am very happy with her.

I was a CM in Chiswick and only charged £4 (didn't do my research properly obviously!!).

Have you considered having a nanny with their own child? Or a nanny share? Or, is there another Mum you know that could childcare-share? You do one day, she do another?

Oh and meant to say would def go with CM B if you're choosing between the two.

Thank you all for your responses and for providing helpful weblinks as well. I feel so ignorant!! But having said that, I am so glad that I posted this thread as I have learnt so much from all your responses.
I've checked up on childcare tax credits and I do not qualify (to qualify, I need to work more than 16 hours but as its a 1-day a week job, I'll be working 8 hours only).
I feel strongly about Childminder B too and I am willing to arrange for friend's to look after my older DD on the day I am working. I really cannot afford childcare for both of them. It would cost more than what I would get!
At this moment, I am feeling rather discouraged - I always thought that it is generally easy for u mums to go back to work, but in reality, it isn't. I haven't worked for nearly 5 years - my previous career and industry (marketing, advertising, PR) would never have me for 1-day a week. I'd have to start all over again, full-time and all.
I feel so fortunate to have found this job - an admin position in a PR company - where I get to gently ease myself back to work. I feel amazingly fortunate that this opportunity has come by at a time I needed it most, to preserve my sanity and possibly save my marriage. But now, having to sort out this childcare ... sigh!

us mums ... I meant, not u mums.

(just that it sounded rather rude when it read as 'u')!

I used to drop off/pick up if it was on my way to school or on way home in the afternoon.

Also, both parents can use the vouchers (if their employer offers them), though I'm not sure of the criteria you have to meet to both be able to use them.

I think you're right - I should be looking at nannies, rather than childminders (I concentrated on looking for childminders as I thought they are more affordable ... yes, I was ignorant!). A nanny will fit my criteria more - especially with pick up/drop off.

Perhaps I should re-classify Childminder A as 'nanny'.

My DH just reminded me that the main purpose of having this job is not for the money, which I am acutely aware of. But I'm trying to do this, with the least inconvenience to my DH and DCs as possible. I want to go back to work, but I don't want it to be at the expense of my family.

Will start all over again on the nanny / nanny-share search tomorrow!

sazzles, you do realise that both Parents are able to claim, all my parents claim, (mine are all fulltime mindees) it is £248.00 each, a month they can claim.

Mogs, would you think childminder A is more a nanny with her own child? Is it just as important for nannies to be registered too? Sorry if this sounds like a silly question ...

HI, totally agree with all that is said about CM a. If she is not registered then why not? If something happens to your children whilst in her care then she is totally uninsured. CM b. sounds like a good option but only you know if you are comfortable with the ethos and environment...if you are not then don't put your children there. I know it sounds harsh, but as a registered childminder I know all about the bad and the good, and PLEASE, keep trying...you will find someione you are sure off. Even if it means having to get family and friends to help out in the mean time. I am in london and am comparable to the rates quoted above, but am extremely qualified, and have a waiting list....at the end of the day, you have to remember that cost is not everything xxxx sorry!

The lack of insurance would worry me as would the lack of space with CM1. On a practical financial issue, after your dc is 3 they'll qualify for government childcare funding and if the CM's unregistered you won't be able to take advantage of this.

One reason why the 2nd CM might be charging so much is because she's picking up/dropping off. Friends pay £4.50 an hour in N London but they walk the children round in the morning.

I'd visit some more CMs. Look at the children's information service for a list here
and also link to your local council website for CMs too.

Hi

Just to clarify the nanny/childminder thing for you.

A childminder works from her OWN home and if working for more than 2 hours per day (for payment) HAS to be registered.

A nanny would work in YOUR home and does NOT need to be registered. They CAN register on the voluntary register with Ofsted.

If you want to utilise child care vouchers you need an Ofsted registered childminder or a nanny that has registered with Ofsted (or is currently registered with Surestart - which has since changed to Ofsted)

Message deleted

Thank you nb84 for clarifying that - it is most helpful. I understand the difference now. And I understand that, from my requirements, I should be seeking nannies, not childminder. So back to square one.

Just wondering in addition to that, why is it nannies do not have to be registered and childminders do? Is it because they operate from their homes and care for many children at the same time?

And another thought - I think with childminder A, she's more a nanny than a childminder. Does that make sense? Would she still be illegal to use? Would everyone still recommended against her? I'm not trying to find reasons to use her, but just want to understand the boundaries of the whole scenario, IYKWIM.

I think, until my job required me to work 2 days, I am unable to claim tax credits. So unfortunately, I have to consider every penny paid for childcare. Ultimately, I strongly agree that safety is of utmost importance ... so now is a task to find that safe, insured, recommended person that charges reasonable rates as well. Anyone out there???

Thank you too to everyone who provided the useful links. I've checked CIS website and will check the tinies link that you have provided (sally84).

always go with a registered c/m greenday.

good luck with going back to work.