The subject of this weeks blog, is a suggestion, from Erika; thanks Erika.
Before I start, I want to point out that I am very bias towards child minders (as I worked as one, for 14 happy years, only giving up due to ill health)
Child minders usually work alone, in their own homes and many have their own children.
My personal feeling is that babies are better with a child minder, than, say, a nursery setting, as a child minder is in a home enviroment and the adult to child ratio is a lot lower. It was one under one, three under five and six under eight in my day. Child minders also cover a wide age range, usually birth – 14 years, so your child could stay with a child minder for many years, including before and after school and during school holidays, if necessary.
Most of my work came from word of mouth, so ask around at your child’s school. toddler groups, etc. if anyone knows of a good child minder.. Health visitors are also a good port of call, or contact Ofsted for a list of registered child minders, in your area.
My advice, would be to visit several before making your decision. Although all childminders, follow strict Ofsted rules and regulations, we are all quite different from one another and you need to find one that is on ‘the same wave length’!
Initally you will need to make phone contact. to check on vacancies and then make an appointment to visit.I used to try to interview prospective parents, during the day, while I was working, if possible, to give them the feel of my setting while it was in use.
During the visit, parents should be shown, the registration certificate ( ideally this should be on display), insurance document, details of policies, Ofsted reports, first aid certificate and other qualifications gained, she should also explain about things like accidents / inicidents and make out a contract, if you decide to go ahead,so every one is clear about every thing ( like fees, arrangements for non attenance etc.)
Questions to ask the child minder are how is behaviour managed? will there be extra fees for outings or meals? ( or should a packed lunch be provided) what happens if a child is taken ill during the day,ages of other children who will be at setting at the same time, etc.
My last piece of advice is to go with your gut instinct, if it doesn’t feel right look else where. Most of my child minding parents told me that they knew when we first met, that I was right for them and their offspring. I have made some life long friends from both parents and children from my time as a child minder.
As always questions/ comments are welcome.
Karen
So true. We looked at a few child-minders before finding one that was suitable. The other thing is finding one that offers hours to suit. Quite a few of the ones locally didn’t do before school, only after. No good for us.
Having never used a child minder, I can’t comment. We were lucky that we had family to help look after our children until they were given a free place in nursery when they were old enough. For all of that though, I enjoyed reading this. Thanks for linking up to #ThatFridayLinky
Some of the children that I used to care for also went to grand parents, we shared the child care as the parents said that I did more with the children than the grandparents did, thanks for your input x
This has actually given me a topic for my next post thanks so much! X
It must be such a difficult task trying to find someone to care for your child. Such a big step to take for parent and child. As usual a very helpful blog.
How awesome that you have made friends for life from your experience of childminding. All sounds good. Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky
I am lucky that I was able to stay at home with mine but this advice rings true for choosing a preschool and schools, go with your gut! #familyfuunlinky
Yes! Always go with your gut!
#alittlebitofeverything
Such great advice! Thanks for linking up to #fortheloveofblog
#thesatsesh thanks for linking with us, I do think childcare is soo personal. I think the best piece of advice is to go with your gut instinct. I decided to drop the level of days my son was doing as it didn’t feel right – after that it was like the world flowed easier for everyone.