Going back to work Mid-August, when should I start looking for a childminder?

[chancelloroftheexCHEQUERS]

Any ideas/experiences welcome.

You could start looking from now, as any CM with children going to School in September, may well know they have a space.

I have booked a child in for a September space when the mum was still pregnant.

AND IF i WASNT GIVING UP IN July WOULD BE BOOKING A BABY BORN AMONTH AGO IN (I HAD HER OLDR SISTR WHOMIS NOW AT SCHOOL) bugger Caps!

Thanks shoshe, will I have to pay a retainer fee?

Very much depends on the CM.

I charge a retainer if the place is available from now sort of thing, but not if the place is not available till you want it.

I do tho charge a £50.00 non returnable deposit, when booking that far ahead (after I have turned others down and the person who booked changed there mind and I was left with a empty place)

Ok, thanks shoshe.

DO retainers tend to be a flat fee, or are they more a set amount per month?

My retainer is half of the normal fee, the most anybody has paid is for three months.

But then I am in a CM's market, only a few of us on a Army Camp, where nearly all CMed children are children where both parents are soldiers, so need full time constant care.