How far ahead should you contact a childminder...?

[MrsMattie]

I'm applying to start a course this time next year. I'll need a childminder 3-4 days a week who can look after my DD (who'll be 1 yr old by then) all day and pick up my 5 yr old from school (not drop him off though - DH will do that).

I have looked on childcarelink and it seems there are only two CMs locally who do pick ups/drop offs from the school he'll be going to. How far in advance is it likely they will be able to give me an idea if they have vacancies or not? Is it worth contacting them soon, or leaving it until closer to the time? Also, I haven't been accepted on to the course yet, so don't want to mess them about.

Thanks

I'd contact them and find out what they recommend.

I found my CM a couple of months before I needed her and had to pay a retainer (half the usual amount) for a month of that. Am not sure it's worth contacting them this far in advance really as they won't know what vacancies they have that far ahead. Plus others might get vacancies in the meantime. Do they have all the local CMs on the list regardless of vacancies?