Selecting a carer you can trust
It's tough enough going back to work after maternity leave without
worrying about whether your child is safe and happy in someone else's
care. We take a look at how to choose a childminder you can trust.
Finding someone you can trust
When it comes to paid childcare, childminders are a popular choice amongst
UK parents; more than 300,000 children in England and Wales are looked
after by 80,000 childminders. By law, a childminder can look after up
to three children under the age of five and three children aged five to
eight, as well as their own children, at any one time.
Childminders work from their own home so you need to feel that the person
you choose is someone you can completely trust and get on well with. Unlike
in a nursery setting, where various people will share the care of your
child, only one person will be charged with this responsibility. Therefore
it's vital that you share the same (or at least very similar) views when
it comes to childcare.
Above all, you should be able to respect and feel relaxed about the person
you are leaving your child with. If for any reason you are concerned about
their abilities, look for someone else, otherwise you will be constantly
worried when your child is in their care, and your child will pick up
on your concerns.
Often, a good way to reassure yourself about the experience and abilities
of a prospective childminder is to ask for references. Any good and experienced
childminder will be able to point you in the direction of many past and
present parents who would be happy to vouch for them in a professional
capacity. Also, why not ask some of your friends or colleagues who use
childminders for a recommendation? Finally, do pay attention to your own
instincts. Normally you will know fairly quickly whether you feel comfortable
with a person. Watch your child's response too: are they reacting favourably?
The questions you should ask
When you meet up with any prospective childminders, it helps to have
a few questions to mind to help you consider whether they are the right
person for you and your child. The following are some examples:
- What qualifications do you hold and are you a member of the NCMA?
- Can I see your Ofsted report and your registration and insurance certificates?
- Will anyone else be in the house during the daytime and are they registered to look after children?
- What kind of food (if any) do you provide the children in your care?
- What do you do with the children on a typical day?
- Can you provide access to outside play and fresh air?
- How do you discipline bad behaviour?
- Will you be taking the children out in the car and, if so, what provision do you have in terms of seat belts, insurance and car seats?
- In the event of an emergency involving yourself or any of the children, what would you do?
- Why do you like your job?
Providing a structured day
Children need various forms of stimulation throughout the day, depending
of course on their individual ages and abilities. Try to visit a childminder
during the day and look at what the children in her care are up to. Are
there lots of toys around for them to play with? Are there enough opportunities
for both indoor and outdoor play?
Your childminder might also have young children of her own in her care.
In fact, this is often the reason why some women become childminders;
it's a way of earning money while still being able to stay at home with
their children. Many parents worry that their child will be treated differently
to their childminder's so it's something worth discussing when you meet
up. Any good childminder in this situation will have thought about this
aspect and will be happy to talk about it with you. Of course, it is unavoidable
that she will be more familiar with her own children than she would with
yours but in terms of discipline, conflict resolution and attention, treatment
should be equal amongst all her charges.
Qualifications and registration
All childminders should be registered with the appropriate body Ofsted,
so don't go near any that aren't. Ask to see their registration certificate
as well as their insurance (their public liability cover) when you meet
up. This certificate shows that they have met certain health and safety
standards and that they have been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau,
as will any other household members over the age of 16.
Most childminders get into this area of work after becoming parents themselves.
In England, completing an introductory course and a first aid course is
obligatory within six months of registering as a childminder. (In Wales,
childminders have to complete both of these before registering.)
Other qualifications that childminders may hold, or be working towards,
include Introduction to Childminding Practing (ICP), Developing Childminding
Practice (DCP), and Extending Childminding Practice (ECP). All of these
have been designed by CACHE - the Council for Awards in Children's Care
and Education - in association with the NCMA (National Childminding Association).
On completion of all three units, a childminder will be eligible for the
full Certificate in Childminding Practice.
Should I draw up a contract?
According to the National Childminding Association it pays to be clear from
the start and a contract can be immensely helpful. By stating at the beginning
things like working hours, notice for holidays etc rather than adding/changing
things later on you will avoid resentment and keep a good relationship.
Here is
a sample contract to help you think about what you'd like from your
childminder.
The costs
Since childminders are self-employed, fees will vary according to the person,
the area in which they live and work and the services they offer. According
to the NCMA, their members charged between £2.64 and £6 an hour in 2003/04
in England and Wales. Childminders pay their own National Insurance contributions
and tax, unlike nannies, so you will not be expected to contribute towards
these.
In summary
Before hiring a childminder, make sure they:
- love children!
- are well regarded by other parents
- treat all children fairly and equally
- concur with your beliefs towards discipline
- offer plenty of varied and stimulating activities
- have a safe and clean home
- have an up-to-date Ofsted registration and first-aid certificate.
Childminders speak!
Two childminders from our special Childminders and Nannies forum share
their tips on finding a competent carer.
"Listen to your children when choosing childcare"
"I am a newly registered childminder and also for many years used a childminder.
I did not have any background in childcare before I started childminding
and my only experience was being a working mum.
"I would advise parents to visit a childminder more than once; a good
childminder won't mind when you visit. Try to go when she has children
to look after so you can see how she copes and interacts with them. If
you like what you see and think your child would be happy in that setting,
have one or more 'settling in' sessions.
"Most childminders also make up portfolios so ask to see them. In mine
I have photos of the kids playing, as well as a table of my routine, i.e.
which days we go to toddler groups, what day we do painting, or cooking,
or visits to the park, etc.
"It's also important for parents to respect the childminder they finally
decide on. Let her know of any changes in the home or with the child and
don't abuse her trust and kindness. Inevitably, changes will happen with
the childminder as they are only human after all! We need to make changes
from time to time, such as price increases, routine changes, etc.
"Listen to your children when choosing childcare. If they don't appear
to be happy look into it and discuss it with the childminder. It could
be something small that can be resolved. If problems continue and the
child is still unhappy consider changing childminders.
"Most importantly, talk to the childminder about how she would work with
you to care for your child the way you would at home so that it's the
same."
Trudy
"It's such a personal choice"
"I am a registered childminder and the advice I always give is to visit
toddler groups and play sessions. This way you can see childminders when
they are working hands-on with the children. You get to see how they speak
to them and interact with them.
"As for training, all the parents I have dealt with have never been very
interested in what I have done qualifications-wise, which is quite worrying!
I find parents don't have the basic knowledge on what childminders should
have with regards training and checks. Most children usually come from
word of mouth and parents should always ask for recommendations for a
childminder, if possible. It is such a personal choice: some parents want
a very outgoing setting where others want a more homely setting."
Susan Walker
Where to next?
- The National Childminding Association offers parents a free booklet
about choosing a childminder. Tel 0800 169 4486 or visit www.ncma.org.uk.
- The Parent
Centre offers information and support for parents on how to help
with your child's learning, including advice on choosing a school and
finding childcare.
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