When do I need to look for a childminder?

[Cosmosis]

I?m 27wks pg at the moment, and plan to go back to work (probably full time, maybe 4 days a week) next May or June ? when do I need to look for a childminder?

Am clueless!

thanks

You could start informally looking now!

I can tell you that I have a space from September 2011 as one child starts full time school then!!

You will not be able to do any paperwork until the child is born.

I had one parent come see me when she was 6months pregnant - she came and singed the paperwork when the little girl was 7 days old!

If you start looking now and find one you like, for the Cmer to keep that space for you, I mean guarantee it for you , then you would have to pay her a retainer fee which is usually half the normal fee. But if you found one informally then you would just have to take your chances. It's up to you, you can leave it until a bit later and see who's about or you can pay for one to keep you a space now for next summer.

I'm with Booh. You wouldn't need to start paying a retainer if the CM you like doesn't have a space until nearer the time. I always think it's good to get an idea but as Booh said, you wouldn't be able to sign up with anyone until your baby is actually born.

We get pre-bookings when parents are TTC , so I would have a look around, like other posters have said you don't have to commit until baby is born, then you can get an idea of what suits you best.

Congratulations BTW

Agree. We're not actually 'allowed' to sign with a parent until the child is born, just wanted to add that in case it wasn't clear

yy wait til baby is born until you can sign

I've got a waiting list, the first vacancy is Sept 2011 too

It is a good idea to look around, see what is available, find out cm's potential spaces, keep a short list of your favourites and then when baby is born, revisit those on your list and investigate any new ones as well.

No cm will object to you visiting again and asking questions, you have to make the right decision and hopefully only once.

Good luck with the baby.

Thanks everyone, you've been very helpful. don't suppose any of you are based in north Leeds??

North Wales- sorry!

I looked in October/November for the following March. DS1 was 5/6 months old. One of the things that impressed me was that she was keen to interact with him. He's been there for over 2 years, and DS2 joined him in late October, and they seem very happy there.

Looney, Booh, others - I am puzzled as to why you say you are not allowed to sign until the baby is born and although I would never sign a contract until after the birth, that would be for want of a better word, moral reasons.

In terms of how soon should a parent start looking, I am minding one child now for whom a place was requested three months prior to the birth and I have another "reservation" for a child to start with me next Easter which was requested when the mother was 3 months into her pregnancy! Some people clearly plan a long way ahead.

I can't remember where I read it now but SOMETHING said about not doing contracts. Well tbh, you can't properly anyway as of course you won't know the child's name, date of birth etc. Also, I'm even more certain it is illegal to take any money for the space until the baby is born so can't charge a retainer etc. Can anyone else confirm this as I can't remember for the life of me where this info came from??!! (it was around 5 years ago as I remember it from when I had a pregnant lady round)