Too early to look for CM??

[starbo]

Hello,

Anxious first time Mum thinking about having to start work in September 10 and wondering when the best time would be to contact CMs?? I would ideally like to have a flexible rotation of 3 days per week one week, 2 the next and one the next, repeated over (to fit in with DHs work...)and will also be looking term time only- am I being completely unreasonable I wonder!

If anyone has any ideas, or even knows of fabulous, flexible wonderful CMs in Teddington/ Wimbledon areas (home/work area...) I would love to hear.

Many thanks!

Never too early. I booked DS into nursery when he was 3 weeks old. Especially is you have non-standard requirements. Best go for home area (unless you have a very long commute, doesn;t look like you do), so you don't have so far to go if you are ill and DC is well (as I found out in my third week back!).

As already said never to early! At least you have plenty of time to find one you like.

Just be aware that most minders will probably charge you for a full week if you are on a rotating week. Your child would be in effect taking up a full time place (if i have read your post right) but only using xx amount of days over a week. you may be able to negotiate a set rate or a retainer rate for the days you don't require.

Hi Starbo, yes agree its never too early to look and visit lots of cms and do good staff work BUT I am a cm and actually just have definate visibility 4 weeks in advance.

I am full and that is my notice period. I have one mum now who is going on maternity leave and wants to cut her days from 3 to 1 till next Feb and then wants me to have both toddler and new baby for 3 days.

I would love to say categorically yes but I cant afford to leave spaces unfilled for that long or guarantee spaces so far ahead.. its really difficult for cms to do this but guess easier for nursery.

good luck though, bloody minefield is childcare!!

I have a lot of parents ask to visit during the day with bumps or small babies way in advance of any possible need for childcare. I could fill half my week with such visits and I have come to the point of saying no, simply because it is such a disruption to the routines of the children I already care for. Often the Mum is undecided about if or when she will return to work and/or what childcare she needs, so there is no way we could make a booking at that point anyway. Then there have been the ones who don't turn up, change their appointment umpteen times or just come late, but that is a whole other subject!

Like thebody, if I already have a space, I can't afford to reserve it without payment, and if I have one coming up, I won't be absolutely sure until the family actually gives notice, as plans often change. I had four visits early this year from families who turned out to be in no position to make a booking, then one who came, saw, liked, and started straight away. All of the four have come back to me in the last couple of weeks wanting to book the place, and of course I can't do it (one now on a waiting list) - and yes I did make it clear that I wouldn't be holding a place waiting for their decisions.

So sorry for the ramble, but what I would suggest is to look only when you know what childcare you need (in terms of hours), and be decisive if you see somewhere you like or you will probably lose it. Good luck with the search.

Thank you so much everyone I appreciate your thoughts.
I am going to try to meet CMs now and hope that because I know that I definitely need 3 days per week from September that I will find someone and that being September there will be vacancies with little ones moving on to school.

Thanks again

Now would be a fab time, as we know which lo are starting school in Sept

edit:you said that lol!

good luck, I know I would only charge for the days you required, with a month in advance, but I do know lots would charge for the other days

What they all said. I started when DD was 4 months old, as I went back to work when she was 7 months. This gave me time to look about a bit, and we got a fab CM. good luck with your search.

Thank you echt and Berry- Berry, you don't live in Teddington do you (hopeful!)