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Paid childcare

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

Childminders with no mindees - lets all be lonely together!

183 replies

mumnosbest · 16/10/2008 21:10

I'm a minder with no mindees. I keep reading threads by others in the same boat and thought why don't we all kill our spare time and have a moan together. You never know we might even get the odd parent looking and be 'childless' no more!

OP posts:
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mumnosbest · 07/11/2008 16:45

Don't know London too well (or at all) but there's a thread 'looking for a childminder', several CM's have replied to that, maybe some of them are near you. Sorry I can't help but I have my fingers crossed for you.

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hedgehog1979 · 07/11/2008 18:21

Hi, I started the looking for a CM thread, and am now going to have a look here too. Looking for a CM starting Feb for ds who will be 7 months, Looking for Mon/Tues in Crawley/Horley area.
Thanks

mumnosbest · 07/11/2008 18:45

Just thought I'd sum up who's been on here so far. Sorry if I've missed you, if you tell me where you are I'll add you to the list
Childminders with spaces in:#
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65 (Birmingham???)

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley

No matches so far but we can keep trying

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mumnosbest · 07/11/2008 18:50

Hi Wearefriends!
On page 1 there was a mum looking for a CM in Walthamstow if that's where you're based. Her name is:
NKffffffff97017c4dX11d19751157

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chloemegjess · 07/11/2008 20:41

Hello. I am a childminder looking for mindees too! I did have a few lined up while I was registering but it took sooooo long. My DHs CRB took about 7 months to come through! I applied in Feb and my certificate was due to be sent out last week. Not got a good first impression of ofsted as every time I ring they say nobody has sent it out!!!

Anyway, I am in UB9 which is New Denham/Uxbridge which is right on the border of Buckinghamshire and Middlesex.

As I am not officially registered until they send out the certificate, I can't even go on the CIS list yet. We really need the money.

mumnosbest · 07/11/2008 21:47

Hi CMJ. What a long wait! I've put you on our list too, hope your registration comes through soon
Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65 (Birmingham???)
New Denham/Uxbridge (almost registered)

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley

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possiblymaybe · 08/11/2008 08:02

Can I also add N8ish(Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey)?

I'm looking for childminder with vacancy, ideally full time from Jan for my 18m old dd.

Thanks

maggi · 08/11/2008 08:55

Here's some tips.

Go on a marketing course if your council offer one. They give huge lists of tips.

Advertise in toy shops if you can.

Do a really good write up for your CIS advert (get a friend to do it if this isn't a strong point). A well written paragraph highlighting your commitment to providing the very best education and care will do wonders to the number of phone calls you get.

Be flexible if this is an option for your family. Offer Shifts (over the weekends too), short term contracts, one offs. Overnights have been a real boost to my finances.

MY BIGGEST TIP is do not mention you are newly qualified (which poses a negative image in some minds) but stess the fact that you have the LATEST TRAINING AVAILABLE. Obviously when they directly ask how long you have been qulified you must be truthfull but you dont have to advertise it.

LucyTownsend · 08/11/2008 09:15

Im a registered CM in Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25) with spaces if anyone needs them!

Hope everyone is getting some queries?

mumnosbest · 08/11/2008 11:51

Hi everyone and thanks for the tips maggi
Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65 (Birmingham???)
New Denham/Uxbridge,
Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25)

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley
N8ish, Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey,

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ChasingButterflies · 08/11/2008 19:48

Thanks wearefriends, but walthamstow is just a bit too far for us - and work is in the opposite direction. but thank you!

mumnosbest · 10/11/2008 21:56

Got talking to another CM at school today. She's going to pass my name on to a parent. Keeping my fingers, legs, toes and everything crossed that I get a call!

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Tabbykat · 11/11/2008 07:39

I'm a soon to be registered CM in the TN2 (Tunbridge Wells) area. I will have vacancies in the early new year. I've had Ofsted round and completed my course and FIrst Aid; just waiting on the CRBs which shouldn't be too much longer, if any parents are looking for childcare in this area.

alysonpeaches · 11/11/2008 11:24

If you live in or near Sheffield 8 please let me know, Im looking for someone to do school run and take care of 2 pre schoolers too.

leonifay · 11/11/2008 11:25

fingers crossed for you too mumsnobest. i've started getting phone calls, no follow ups yet, but better than nothing.

B65 is dudly/sandwell/oldbury/harbourne area just outside of birmingham

mumnosbest · 11/11/2008 12:27

Hi Tabbykat. I'll add you to our growing list

Hi alysonpeaches. You're on our list now too. You're so close to sunny donny but not quite close enough for me to help sorry

Hi leonifay! looks like things are improving all round . I should have known where you are. I lived in Quinton, Smethwick, Handsworth and Bearwood as a student

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mumnosbest · 11/11/2008 12:29

Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65,dudly/sandwell/oldbury/harbourne
New Denham/Uxbridge,
Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25)
TN2 (Tunbridge Wells) from Jan 2009

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley
N8ish, Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey,
Sheffield 8

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Vangough · 12/11/2008 12:27

If there is a childminder out there looking for a lovely one yr old girl to look after full time in London, SE19/SE21/SE25 area then get in touch !!!!

thanks

mumnosbest · 12/11/2008 19:06

Childminders with spaces in:
Doncaster,
Coatbridge,Scotland,
B65,dudly/sandwell/oldbury/harbourne
New Denham/Uxbridge,
Ashtead, Surrey (Epsom, Letherhead, Ewell, Chessington, J9 M25)
TN2 (Tunbridge Wells) from Jan 2009
London, SE19/SE21/SE25

Mums/Dads looking for CMs in:
SW6,
Walthamstow/Farringdon,
Twickenham,
Bushey/Hertsmere,
Stoke Newington, London, N6,
Crawley/Horley
N8ish, Finsbury Park, Stroud Green, Crouch End or Hornsey,
Sheffield 8

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chloemegjess · 12/11/2008 23:07

Just wanted to say my reg certificate finally came through!

mumnosbest · 13/11/2008 10:18

Hi Tabbykat and any other nearly registered CM's! Apart from ringing CRB and tracking your application on line, if you know it's the police who currently have your CRB there's nothing to stop you ringing your local police. Mine were very helpful

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Tabbykat · 13/11/2008 15:21

CRBs arrived today! - very excited. Just need one more social services check back and then hopefully can get cracking. Hope things are starting to pick up for others?

mumnosbest · 13/11/2008 18:46

Good news tabbykat
Things looking up here, had a very positive enquiry for january, just waiting for a call back now

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leonifay · 18/11/2008 09:57

good luck with your pp today

mumnosbest · 25/11/2008 15:48

Well I am finally lonely no more, well from January anyway . I have2 siblings starting straight after new year, which means I can enjoy a nice family Christmas first. Good luck to all you other CMs and parents, hope you have a bit of luck too

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