Best Way to Find a Childminder?

[whooosh]

As a newly single Mum of a 4yr old I am having to go back to working full time out of home.My salray will not cover a nanny and the whole AuPair thing seems so transient.

Have decided (with no epxerience) that I need to find a childminder who will pick DD up from school at 4pm,mind her for a couple of hours (sometimes more?)and of course cover the holidays.

Is this asking too much?
What is it likely to cost?

And where would I find someone?

The flexibility is one of the best thing about CM's - we've had excellent experiences with ours.

The way to find a registered CM in your area is to look on this site - you'll also be able to find out info about which schools they pick up from, rates, activities etc.

Good luck!

they've corrected it now!! This thread was ahead of a thread I just posted on because this time is ahead of the time on mine (now it's fixed lol)

Costs vary by location and even within location. Searching the site DunderMifflin linked to may give you some idea of costs (though alas many CM's don't list prices on their ChildcareLink info). Also, not all CM's are listed on ChildcareLink, so that site will let you know the contact details for who keeps the local list (usually your local, or county council). If you contact them, they will be able to send you a full list of childminders in your area (if you don't live near the school, also request the list of childminders near the school).

When contacting childminders about costings, ask them what is included in the hourly rate. Typically I feel food isn't included (though some CM's do include it). For school holiday care, the full-day price may include outings, or may not... again best to ask.

We are now in Mumsnet Time (an hour ahead of current UK time) Hey, at least the server is back again!

Whoosh, you may also be entitled to working tax credit to help with childcare or does your employer use childcare vouchers?

I am a childminder and for a fulltime week (55 hours) I charge £145.
For after school I would charge £35 (for 5 evenings of 2 hours each)

Thank you all for your advice-am off to do some searching!
can't actually take a job until I have childcare sorted but I guess may e entitled to tax credits-as for vouchers,depends who I end up working for

I have a before and after schooler. I have him in the school hols too. Parents wanted to pay a monthly fee so we worked out a years fees and divided it by 12 which works well for both of us. Means the fees don't shoot up in the hols.

The fees include all meals and snacks and most outings. If i do a big summer trip then parent usually offers to pay entrance fee and gives mindee spending money.

That sounds great-bet you're no tin Hertfordshire though are you ?

Afraid not lol. Wish i was tho,i am looking for a new mindee!!