Childminders

Questions to ask when choosing a childminder

How long have you been childminding?
What extra training have you done?
Why do you like this job?
How long do you intend to do it for?
What other children will be with my child, and how old are they?
Have you joined any quality assurance schemes?
Do you belong to a childminder network?
Do you charge for sick days?
Ask to see if all the rooms in the house are clean and tidy.
Where will your child sleep? Make sure it's quiet.
How do you spend the day and how do other children's schedules fit in with my child? Find out simple things, such as when she or he does shopping/banking/chores.
Do you go out on day trips? Where to?
Do you have properly fitted car seats?
What kind of meals and drinks do you give the children?
Do you keep a file about a child's progress?
Will you agree to a trial run (say a couple of mornings) to see how it's going to work out? Most childminders will agree to this.