contacting a childminder

[nvj]

ok so just registered with childcare.co.uk to see what childminders are available in my area and i would like to email a couple of them to check if they have any places etc but you have to pay a subscription just to contact a childminder... i wouldn't mind but i don't know 100% if i am going to need one yet, i just want to make some enquiries...
i'm sure this service didn't use to charge did it?!
is there any other website that childminders use that I can contact them for free? I don't really want to spend £13 just to send a couple of emails!!
thanks to anyone that can help!

Contact your local council Families Information Service for a list of local childminders. In some areas, such as Surrey, it is the County Council which provides the service.

here you go

www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/forum has a part on the talk boards for CMs to advertise vacancies and people to say their wants.

if you go into the profiles of CMs on childcare.co.uk that you like more than once, you may find a CM will contact you instead as it shows interest. I contact all the people who go onto my profile givng them my phone number as I know not everyone wants to fork out the membership (I certainly didn't but at least I can put it as a business expense!)

Contact your Families Information Service.

Google the name of your local authority together with the phrase "Families Information Service."

thanks so much... that's what i had been looking for but couldn't find it (the opportunity links page!)

Please use your local Family Information Service as the Direct Gov website is still terrible. I am still not on it at all and everyone else is within 5 miles of my address - EVERYONE.....