using CM for the first time- any advice?

[taytotayto]

Hi all, im currently looking for a CM to start in july when dd will be almost 1. its not been as easy as i thought it would, i have phoned 3 childminders who said they would have space to take her. anyway if i choose one what am i expected to do next, ie pay a retainer every week until july, sign a contract. do any cm's out there agree to take babies so early on or should i risk looking closer to the time. to be honest the two cm i had set my heart on cant take her so im a bit upset and dont know what to do really

You have time yet so don't panic, leave the search for a while and ask the cm's you really like to contact you if they have a space come up (circs can change unexpectedly so you never know your luck)

I'm a cm and I've learnt over the years that things can change extremely quickly.

If a CM has the space available now, then you will need to pay a retainer fee (this is not refundable) to reserve that place for your child. The alternative is not to accept the place and get back in touch nearer to the time in the hope that the space has not been taken by someone else. You would be signing a contract prior to starting to pay the retainer fee in my view, as it is that contract which would include details of the retainer fee to be paid. You could also pay in full on agreed days if you wanted childcare on particular days between signing the contract and the official start date.
Many childminders will want you to be doing introduction days building up to the official start date... these may be you plus your child initially, then leaving your child for increasing periods of time. Each CM will have their own policy with regard to introduction days and pay requirements for those if applicable.