When to find a childminder?

[Helen76]

Hi,

I'm not looking to go back to work until March next year but was wondering at what stage do we contact childminders? I don't want to leave it too late and miss out but it feels a little soon to be thinking about it. What did others do?

We've decided on childminding rather than nursery because the hours are more flexible that nurseries.

Thanks,
H xx

 

[aimee-lou]

Depends where in the country you are and what hours you actually need. I would wait until after September personally - there is always a rush around that time as with the return to school loads of people are going to be calling and they may not be able to tell you their workload for spring next year until after that rush. I would also try speaking to other mums and see who they would recommend/use and maybe see about taster sessions to see how your LO gets on with them before you go back completely.

I've used CM's since Earl was about a year, and I've never had a bad experience (been very lucky) but I'm always very careful to test them out and get to know them reasonably well.

 

[pinkgoldfish]

Things change all the time. Parents get made redundant, they decide to put their children in nursery instead, they move etc.

I honestly don't know how childminders work- but I can't see them holding open a place for you so you might be wasting your time looking before the new year.