When to look for a CM? I go back to work in May/June

[RLW]

We will be looking for a CM or daily nanny for when I return to work in May/June.
The children will be nearly aged 4 (DS) and 1 (DD) and we are in NW4. We require full-time care (mon-fri, 8am-6pm) and
DS will be starting reception in September, so school run as well.

When should I start looking for either type of childcare? Would leaving it til April be quite late? I won't know til
then which school my son will go to - one is local and the other a short drive away.

Any tips greatly appreciated. Any CM or nanny looking that far ahead please contact me for more details if interested.

As you have 2 children, I would start looking now as there may not be many CM's with 2 spaces.

I would say start looking now as it may take a while to find someone especially a cm as you need 2 under 5 spaces, and also if you do find someone will allow time for settling in for children with cm so everything is sorted for your return to work, hth xx

Don't leave it til April. Some childminders might ask you to call back in April but some will be happy for you to visit so you can make use of your time now to make a short list. You may even be lucky and find someone who isn't committed to either school at the moment and can drive to either. Or, much more likely, you can make 2 short lists.

Don't throw away your short-list when you do sign up with someone - the ones who were only unsuitable because they don't collect from your school might be of use in the school holidays - if they have a vacancy or an absent mindee and your chosen cm is on holiday or off sick.