Any Childminders in Guildford, Reigate or Epsom/Ewell?

[Snooch]

Hi all

Am hoping that somebody can make me feel a little less nervous here....am currently childminding in Southfields (near to Wimbledon) and am really lucky to be living within 10 minutes walk of the library, the glorious and extremely well equipped Wimbledon Park, schools, toddler groups and my favourite, the 1 O' Clock Club which operates on a drop in basis every day from 1 - 3:30 pm and offers loads of outdoor and indoor activities including special visits from children's entertainters etc, and it's all free! My business works extremely well here as I and most of the other childminders in the area are never short of work and not many of us have cars so appreciate the fact we can walk everywhere.

We have decided to move to the Surrey area in June next year (my husband works out there), a couple of months after our second child is born as we need a bigger place and our budget won't stretch as far as a three bedroom house with a garden here! Mixed feelings as I am excited to be gaining a bit more space and a nicer home but really sad to be leaving the community and the friends I have made here and really nervous about how it's going to affect my business.

Is it possible to live in any of the abovementioned areas and enjoy visiting most of the places I mentioned on foot? As I don't have a car, this is essential! Also, as I will now have two children under 5 of my own, I will be registered to care for only one other child under 5 and then 3 over 5's, which means I will have to offer before and after school care to make up for the missing income, an avenue which I know nothing about and have no idea how to go about operating that side of things from contracts and hours (term time only or holidays as well??), to what to charge and activities for the children.

Finally, we're looking at these three areas of Surrey as I believe that rates are pretty much on a par with the Southfields area - I need to earn at least £5 per hour. Other than that we don't know anything about these areas, not even what they look like!!

Am a parent living in a village south of Guildford, paying our fab childminder £6ph. Had to wait 4 months to get a place, and I would say there is probably quite a lot of demand for after school care in the area. Guildford has some good facilities, parks etc, but not sure if there's anything equivalent to the club you mention.

Hi Cosette

Thanks for your response - good to hear about the high demand for after school care!! There won't be anything like the 1 O' clock club anywhere else as I believe that's it's just two London boroughs that offer it which is such a shame.

Do you send your child to your childminder for a full day at a time? If so, working on 10 hours (8am - 6 pm) would be £60 per day! The average here is £50!

DS goes 3 days a week from 8am to 6pm and yes it is £60 a day, but does include all food and nappies, plus CM has outstanding ofsted which is nice. There were others at around £5ph but this childminder was nearer to our home and came recommended from a friend.

Hi Snooch, I live in Redhill which is the next town on from Reigate. It is lovely here. I walk as much as I can with my 2 children who are 3 and 21 months. I can walk to Redhill and to Reigate from my house and both towns have libraries and parks. There is plenty going on around the area, a lot of it is free such as playgroups and library rhyme times and there are then multitudes of activities you can pay for.

I have lived in many places in the UK and a few abroad but I always come back to this area.

I am also a childminder, although I have only just registered so haven't any children yet but there does seem to be a need in the area. Especially after school, there are a few posts on netmums asking for this specifically at the moment. The avergae here is about £4.50 an hour but that was rising steadily until the recent financial situation.

Redhill also has a mainline train station into London and the fast train only takes 20 mins into Victoria.

Hope this helps and puts your mind at ease.

Oh wow Enthusia, that's great to hear!! Definitely makes me feel a whole lot better! There seems to be a lot of afforable 3 bedroom houses in the area as well. We're only looking to move in June and then plan to return to childminding in September for the new school year, so hopefully by then I'll be at liberty to charge the £5 per hour I need (or maybe not...!) Funny how the after school care is so popular out in Surrey as here in London, or Southfields at least it's not at all!

Hi! I have lived around Redhill / Reigate most of my life and would second what Enthusia has said. I love living here as you're really accessible via good train links and good local facilities and yet there is plenty of lovely parks, Reigate Hill, etc.

Although I don't have any DC yet (expecting my first in May), I have friends who do and they seem to have lots of good toddler groups and most of the local schools are really good too. My godson has just started primary and his mum would have been happy with any of their top 3 choices.

All the best with your decision and move!

Actually getting quite excited about the area now - been researching it on the internet and looking at pics of Priory Park etc and really liking what I see! Think we'll take a drive out there this weekend to get a better feel - thanks for the response X

Hi Snooch I live in Reigate and have 2 dc one of whom has just started school - I was looking for a cm last year and couldn't find one and I know lots of people round here looking! I too will be looking for after school care mainly, probably 2/3 afternoons a week, particularly come september when my ds starts reception, depending on what school we are offered. I'd happily pay £5/hour I think you will be fine here. In fact, keep me in mind!

We used to live in Clapham and my bf lived in Wimbledon Village until recently. Whilst those areas are maybe more established "Nappy Valley" areas, Reigate really reminds me of those kinds of places and is why we like it here so much really. It is great for young families, particularly Priory Park. Not quite as much choice for toddler groups etc but it is growing steadily and you have a wide area on your doorstep (you'd need to live walkable to one of the train stations).

Hi Xfabba, thanks for your response - my utmost apologies for only responding four months later .... have since had another baby and things have been a little hectic trying to adjust to the new addition to the family, so haven't been on Mumsnet for aaaaages!

Just wanted to let you know that we have found a beautiful house in St Andrews Road, (just off St Mary's) and will be moving in soon. I will definitely be offering after school care and will be able to do school pick ups from St Mary's Preparatory School, Reigate Parish Church Infant School and Reigate Priory as they are within comfortable walking distance from the house. If your DS is going to either of these and you're still looking, let me know!

I childmind in Guildford.....don't get too excited....I don't know anyone else who charges 6 an hour!......I charge 4.75 an hour, and I am quite sought after, 5 an hour is alot for this area.

Tommypickles I certainly won't be charging as much as £6 an hour! I don't even charge that in London. I'm going to try for £5 - have seen that there are a few Childminders that charge as much as that in the Reigate area. I've never been short of work either and have a good reputation and excellent references, so feel that I can justify it. If I get no interest at that rate (which is possible!!) I'll have to review it...

I know Wimbledon well having lived in Tooting for many years of my younger life. I now live in Woking and i can tell you that it is a much greened area for a start and im sure that you will have no trouble finding nice places to go.

Not sure if you are into Facebook or not bu there is a group on there called "surrey mums" and im sure they can give you more specific details.

Someone mentioned Reigate, i lived there for a year and it is lovely. I want to move back there one day.

Thanks for that NetworkNannies - I shall have a look!

I must say, I have fallen in love with Reigate and really can't wait to move there - perfect family environment and I am looking forward to setting up Childminding there too.

Hi Snooch. Are you still looking to childmind picking up from St Mary's School? If so, how can I get in touch with you?

HI Tommy pickles, i am moving to Guildford at the end of April and am looking for a childminder for my (now) 7 month old son. I dont suppose you have any vacancies? We would be looking at 3 days a week.

Thanks
Nicola