good questions when picking a childminder for baby

[Chepstow1]

Hi - I have seen a thread on this somewhere but canny seem to find it today...I am thinking of sending DS to childminder just 1 or maybe 2 mornings a week for the next few months until he starts nursery next summer when I go back to work. He is 12 weeks, and I have a DH who works away a lot Mon-Fri and my family are not near by, so I am looking for a short space each week for me to do "stuff". I am loving being a Mum and feeling a little guilty about needing to offload him. I am also terrified of leaving him when he is so small. Any pointers on good questions to ask childminders specifically childmonders of babies?? The lady I am going to see, seems very nice experienced and looks after another boy aged 3. Thanks for any tips!!

How will you let me know what my ds has been doing whilst in your care? eg naps, nappies, feeds, sounds he makes, interests/activities etc

Look for someone who genuinely understands how important it is to you that you are fully informed.

Where do you let babies sleep? How often do you check on them? Do you have a monitor?

Do you have any policies on who can or can't pick up babies?

What are your views on tv?

Will you always cuddle my baby when he is being fed?

There are other contract type questions which you may find elsewhere such as holiday/sickness payments but I would always look for a genuine response to any questions such as these above that is sensitive to you and to your baby and that shows sincerity and adaptability to listen your requirements.

A childminder who asks YOU questions about your child and wants to find out how best to care for him is in all probability a great one.

Thanks Goosey. On the telly front, we do have the TV on during the late night feed, but have it off (or on mute) during the day. What do others do - don't want him to become a telly addict and as he is going to only be there for a few months, how strict should I be??

Other questions are great. So far we have spoken about setting up a very flexible arrangement where I can leave him up to 2 mornings a week between Tues and Thurs after Xmas, and one before.

On the picking up of babies, what exactly do you mean?? Do you mean mothers of other child, or clild himself etc?

Thanks again

Hi Chepstow1, I am a childminder and I do use limited tv when I am minding little children. For example my minded children all enjoy our routine of Balamory at 9am! I see it as part of the homebased service that I provide and lots of parents/carers appreciate that. Everyone knows that more tv than necessary is on in most peoples homes but if you are paying for a caring and learning environment I would just look for a sensible and professional attitude to daytime tv which you should be able to guage by her responses to your questions.
On the picking up of babies I was referring to a policy or rule that no other children should be allowed to pick up babies. Older pre-schoolers often like to treat babies like little dolls!
Your arrangement sounds great and you wil both benefit from it I'm sure! I am offering a similar thing over weekends for parents to go Christmas shopping in peace.

Goosey - it's good to know that you are actually "talking from the horses mouth" so to speak on the childminding front. The lady i am going to see is a member at my local gym and I am dying to get back and try and shape up a little before Xmas she offerred to have him on a very felxible arrangement and initially I said no (too young, not ready, too scary) and then thought that maybe I was shooting a gift horse in the mouth. This woman is known to me, flexible and will understand that getting a pound or two off me will make me feel better (being a gym member), plus I can stop/start having him there when I need to. I think I am paying quite a lot for it (£12.50 for 3 hours) but I think it is value for money.

Big ta's again

Even tho' it's only for 3 hrs - check carefully your arrangements for feeding-bottles/weaning etc

and see about her arrangements for baby to sleep (in a cot/travelcot obviously at that age) but the bedding should only be used for your baby (not shared)

Good luck - if you are content then baby will be too....remember you will be far more stressed by leaving him than he will be at being left.

Yep you are probably right about the stress thing but it's still a wrench. I want to spend as much time as I can with Ds before going back to work, but also need to do something about the "extra layer" or 6, before Xmas. I have actually managed to put weight on AFTER the baby... where does it tell u about that in the books

Cheers!

Even though you know her, you should ask for references. Every good childminder has them. You should also ask to see her certification and her insurance. God forbid, but if anything should happen in her home, you want to know that you are covered. HAving said that, I'm not actually sure what the insurance covers. Your child, her property, medical? I don't know, but was always advised to check it.

ALso, this may not be a big deal to you as you are only using her for a few hours a day. But as a full time working parent, it was important to know how sick was too sick to go to the childminder. For example, some nurseries won't give calpo for any reason unlesparent is en route to pick the child up. This is (in my opinion) unfortunate for a teething baby. They aren't really sick, just in pain, And I think it's a bit mean to make them suffer. The childmender I used when dd was a baby would give calpo and ring me to let me know what was going on. To be honest, she should have rung me first... but that's another story.

Oh, and the rate you are paying I think is pretty standard. Chilminders can charge anywhere from about £3.50 to £6.25 an hour.

Uwila - this is the second time you have been very hepful - thanks - u r a star.

I am seeing this lady 2 morrow. Is it normal that childminders go about thier daily business when in charge of your bubby e.g supermarket. What should you sanction and not - any thoughts....

I know yours is just a babe but I found it very enlightening to ask prospective childminders 'And what do you do when they're naughty?'. The range of answers I've recieved from the 5 or 6 minders I've interviewed is staggering including 'Well I just shout at them.'

Chepstow I think a great deal of trust is needed in a parent/childminder relationship. You should certainly ask tomorrow about her daily routines and about how when she fits in her daily chores, but the only thing I can think of that is worthy of a sanction is the taking of any child into a smoky environment such as a pub. I have a policy that states that I avoid all smoky atmospheres but almost any other trip out in the pushchair can be made fun and gives an opportunity for children to observe and learn so much. I often take my double buggy with two inquisitive toddlers down to the local park and might nip into the bank/card shop or fruit and veg shop along the way. A large supermarket shop on each occasion that your ds is with this childminder would be innappropriate but the odd trip out to the local shops would probably be stimulating for him. Try to get a feel for the big picture of her child care practise and most importantly trust your overall instincts. You do not have to give an answer there and then as any good childminder wil understand that you need to have a think and get back to them. Please let us know how you get on!

I am a childminder and this is the list of questions I give to everybody who enquires, whether they see me or not. I want people to make sure that they have all the information they need to enable them to choose the right person for them and their child.I have posted this before, but I am sure it willhelp a lot of new mumsnetters!
How long have you been working with children?

What training have you had? Any qualifications? Are you part of a network, achieved a quality assurance qualification, look at registration certificate, insurance details, business use for car. First aid must be no more than 3 years old, food hygiene certificate, Certificate in Childminding practice or NVQ 3, Contracts and record forms

Do you enjoy being with children and why?

Can I look around, see the rooms and outside play space? If there is no outside play space - how will you make sure my child gets the chance to play outside?

Where will my child rest?

What kind of food and drink will you give? Can I see a menu?

What will my child do all day?

How do you encourage good behaviour?

Will my child be with a regular group of children? How old are they? How will their timetable fit in with my child?

How will you make sure I know how my child is getting on?

What hours is she open?

How much does she charge?

What about when my child is sick, holidays, days off

What do you do in an emergency?

When was her last Ofsted, can you see the report?

Top 10 Quality Pointers

When you visit possible childcare options, look for these Quality Pointers:

Are the children calm, safe, happy and busy?

Do children play and talk together?

Is the childminder listening to the children and answering them carefully?

Is the childminder friendly and proud of her work?

Is she joining in joining in with what the children are doing?

Are there lots of fun activities planned to help children learn and play? Can children plan some of these activities themselves?

Are there plenty of clean toys and equipment for children to use?

Is the premises clean, well kept and safe for children with a fun outside play area (or will the child go to parks and other places regularly)?

Do parents have plenty of chances to say what they want for their children?

If there are other things you want to know, don't be afraid to ask. Good childminders expect you to ask questions and will be happy to answer them.

Always take up references. You could ask for names of other parents to talk to about the service

Listen to your child and find out more if he/she is unhappy
Always trust your own feelings about your childcare - you know your child best

It's so nice to be appreciated.

Alibubbles, I have to say that when I used a childminder, I would have GREATLY appreciated that list. It's a wonderful and honest jesture for you to let parents know what they should be thinking about.

And, yes, I agree that small errands are fine. But, if my kid was being dragged along for long shopping trips, I would think hmmm... this isn't rally what I'm paying you for.

Also, I think it's fair to let the childminder establish the schedule, like she chooses what toddler groups they go to, what other activities, etc. So long as my kid is happy and busy then I was happy to let her lead.

Oh, also the question about her holiday is a good one. Also find out if you are paying her for bank holidays (the norm is that you do). But, if she goes on holiday, can she arrange another childminder to look after your baby, or will that be your burdon?

Alibubbles - took your list to the childminder today and not only was she very nice and I am tres happy with her, but she was GRATEFUL that there was some structure to our discussion. I discovered today that this our meeting was her first "interview" in 8 years, as she has looked after the siblings of two families for that period of time (still has 1 boy) and her whole career has been based on word of mouth.

I looked at all the official stuff (osted etc) but also she gave me the home numbers of all her previous parents and references and said that i could ring any of them. I called one tonight and she was gushing...

Gut feel is good, going to go with that for 1 morning a week initially. If today is anything to go by then sod the gym, I am going to sleep...zzz...

Cheers again