anyone use a childminder?

i start a new college course on the 19th feb and as its fulltime im going to require childcare ive thought about this alot and decided id prefer a childminder to nursery for the girls and im looking for some tips on finding a good one? the right questions i should be asking that kind of thing? i have a few numbers to call this after noon but havent a clue what i should be looking for (if that makes sense)

I dont hun - i use a day nursery but i would say for 2 children a child minder is a lot cheaper!
Dont forget to ask what her poilices on accidents/medication/illnesses are hun!

sugar said:
I dont hun - i use a day nursery but i would say for 2 children a child minder is a lot cheaper!
Dont forget to ask what her poilices on accidents/medication/illnesses are hun!

thats exactly why im choosing a childminder i could never afford 2 full time nursery fees.ive rung a few today and the one i felt id be more comfortable with charges £6 per hour for the 2 of them or £40 per day she works alongside her mum and they have only one other full time kid and one part-time at present so im going to meet them at home on friday and il go write these things down to ask thanks

Isabelle goes to a childminder 4 days a week, and she loves it.
Few tips:
Ask to see the most recent OFSTED report
Ask about holidays/sickness etc, because we still have to pay if I or the childminder takes a holiday, but its only half pay.
Ask about meals, eg dietry requirements, what you do and do not want your children to have

Emily said:
Isabelle goes to a childminder 4 days a week, and she loves it.
Few tips:
Ask to see the most recent OFSTED report
Ask about holidays/sickness etc, because we still have to pay if I or the childminder takes a holiday, but its only half pay.
Ask about meals, eg dietry requirements, what you do and do not want your children to have

I have used a childminder 5 days a week 8.30-3 for the last 3 years. Joseph loves it!
It will be a care commission report in Scotland you need to ask for.

I dont pay if THE CHILDMINDER is on holiday but if I take holidays outwith her holidays I have to pay half price.

Also gradually introduce the kids to the childminder, Joseph was left for an hour his self to begin with and I build on that before I went to work and he was left all day.

thanks for the tips ladies ive now written them all on my list just hoping the girls like the childminders as caitlin can be really funny with strangers