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Childminders

Registered childminders provide child care in their own homes. They must be registered with the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) and have their home inspected regularily. They must also be approved by the Criminal Records Bureau.

10 Things to consider when choosing a childminder

Location - Do they live close to you or are they on route to your work? If not, do you really want to traipse across town and back every morning before work?

Enthusiasm - Are they passionate about what they do? Do they really enjoy looking after other peoples children. Have they always been involved in childcare or only recently, if the latter why?

Children - Take a look round when they are working so you can see the children being cared for. Do they seem happy and content how do they interact with the childminder? What ages are the children being looked after. At a maximum how many children will they look after at one time.

Experience - How much and what experience do they have. The needs of babies, toddlers, preschoolers and older children vary considerably. Have they looked after babies before? Do they have their own children?

Day to day - Ask the childminder to describe a typical day. School runs (do you want your child ferried around several schools twice a day), what do the children eat ( typical breakfasts/lunches/ teas), what activities do they do, how much free play do they have, do they take them to organised classes or would they be willing to.

Cost - Is the cost reasonable? Does it include meals and play groups or is that extra?

Holidays - Is the childminder only available in term time, who pays for holidays, how much notice is given etc.

Nap time - Can your childminder be flexible over nap times, where will they sleep (travel cot in quiet area or bedroom of house)?

Pets - What are your views on pets (we're not talking goldfish here), do they have cats or dogs?

Behaviour - How do they handle unacceptable behaviour? Do they praise good behaviour and when your child tries hard.

Cleanliness - Is the house clean and well maintained, remember that your child will be eating here as well as playing.

Outdoor space - Is there an enclosed garden or outside space for your child to use?

Toys/Books - Is there a good selection of toys, books and dressing up for your child to play with.

Daily record - Will the childminder provide a daily record of your baby/child's day. This should include what they have done, eaten, when they slept, how much milk they had, dirty nappies etc. etc. 

References - Written references are good but you also need to speak to a previous parent and a current one.

For more information look at the National Childminding Association web site or the Sure Start Childcare link for details of local childminders.

If you're a childminder and would like to list a vacancy then please visit our advertise page and/or our booking form.

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