Deciding on a Child Minder
from The National Childminding Association
Childminders are professionals and are
used to parents visiting them to ask
about the service they provide.
Before you visit a childminder, spend
some time thinking about the childcare
you need and the things you are looking
for in your childminder.
Make a list of questions that are
important to you.
NCMA’s top five tips:
1. Trust your instinct –many parents
say their family instantly felt at home
with the childminder they chose for
their child. You’ll probably see them
most days and will need to discuss
your child’s care and payments with
them so it is important they are
someone you – and your child – feel
comfortable with.
2. Take someone else with you when
you visit – they will help confirm
your decision and may think of
questions to ask
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for a second
visit. Try visiting at a different time if
you can – during the day you’ll be
able to watch the childminder with
children, but in the evening you may
be able to talk more easily
4. Visit more than one childminder.
Even if the first one seems perfect, it
is worth confirming your decision by
visiting one or two more
5. As well as asking questions, make
sure you take time to watch how the
childminder acts with the children,
and look around the setting.
Suggested Questions for your Childminder
- How long have you been a childminder?
- Why did you become a childminder?
- What do you enjoy most about the job?
- Are you a member of the National
Childminding Association?
- Do you have any relevant qualifications
or training?
- Do you belong to a childminding group,
network or other support group?
- How many other children do you look
after, how old are they and how long
have you been looking after them?
- Do you have any children of your own
and, if so, how old are they?
- What types of activities do you do with
the children?
- Do you and the children go on regular
outings or special trips?
- How do you help children settle in?
- Do you have pets or a garden?
- What food do you provide?
- What do you consider unacceptable
behaviour and how do you deal with it?
- Do you work with other local
childminders? How does this work?
- What would you do in an emergency
involving yourself or one of the
children?
- Do you ever take the children out in the
car and, if so, do you have suitable
insurance, seat belts and car seats?
- What do you do about holidays – both
ours and yours?
- What happens if someone’s sick –
whether it’s you, us, or the children?
- Can I see your registration and insurance
certificates?
- Can I see a copy of your inspection
report
