How long in advance to look for childminder?

[TooMuchMakkaPakka]

going back to work in October. 2 DCs will be aged 3y4m and 1y1m at that point. was hoping to get a childminder who would take my DS to school nursery each morning or afternoon. When should i look? (I know childminders don't want people to look too early but don't want to miss out).
BTW i live in a northern city if that makes any difference(know that you Londoners all do things ridiculously early).

Hi, Not sure about others, but for us come september we are more likely to have vacancies for children when others have left and gone to school after the summer holidays, but i would say june/july is a good time to secure yourself a placement.

If you have a few minutes spare you could try calling round now, as if a minder knows there child is leaving this summer you could well be in luck.

There's no way anyone would know about their vacancies til at least the end of the summer term.

I know if I have children going to nursery or school, so would know well in advance if I have a space coming up at that time.