Some advantages:
- Homely environment
- Close relationship with one carer
- Carer may take a child or children to the shops, a parent and toddler group and, later, pre-school, nursery and school
Some disadvantages:
- Lack of interaction with larger groups of children
- Having to find alternative if the childminder falls ill
- Cannot use your Free Entitlement unless the childminder is accredited
What is a childminder?
A childminder is self-employed and registered by OFSTED to care for other people’s children in their own home.
Childminders can offer full-time, part-time and flexible day care for children of all ages. Most are willing to take and collect from pre-school, nursery and school. they may care for school aged children before and after school and in the holidays. Some childminders are registered to provide overnight care and some offer specialist care for children with additional needs.
Childminders offer a homely setting, in which there will be a maximum of 6 children under 8, no more than 3 of whom will be under 5 and with only one child being under the age of 12 months.
Childminders offer care and early years education;
from September 2008 all will follow the good practice guidance of the early Years foundation Stage for 0 - 5s.
Childminding Support Officers from Wiltshire's Early Years and Childcare Team support all childminders and advise on training and good practice.
What will I need to tell a childminder?
- How to contact you and your partner
- An emergency contact telephone number
- Details of your child's G.P. and Health Visitor
- A record of your child’s immunisations and illnesses
- Any special requirements, e.g. dietary, or routines your child may have
How much do they charge?
There is no ‘national rate’ for childminding and rates vary across the county but you should expect to pay around £3.50 per hour. Childminders need to cover the cost of heating, lighting, wear and tear, toys and equipment, insurance and other business expenses. You may be asked to pay a retainer for times you do not need the childcare e.g. family holidays and school holidays if you only need term time care and you may be charged for the time your child is at pre-school or nursery. This should all be made clear in the contract. Provision of food and nappies and other charges will need to be negotiated with the childminder.
You may be able to get some help towards the cost of a childminder from:
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The childcare element of working tax credit
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Free entitlement (with acredited childminders)
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Childcare vouchers (salary sacrifice)
How do I make a choice?
It is important to visit a number of childminders before deciding who will best suit your child’s needs. Questions to ask a potential childminder might include:
- What experience and/or training do you have?
- What activities do you provide for children?
- Will you take my child shopping. to the park, or to a parent and toddler group?
- How will you encourage good behaviour and deal with any problems?
- Which rooms do you use for childminding?
- What are the ages of other minded children?
- Do you have pets?
- What are the arrangements for travelling and child safety?
- Will you take/collect my child from pre-school/nursery/school?
What is a childminding contract?
All childminders must have a written agreement with parents. It is important that you negotiate a contract with the childminder at the beginning of the arrangement which should be reviewed annually, or whenever changes are necessary. The contract should set out the terms of your agreement with the childminder and will include details of a ‘settling in’ period, hours, and financial arrangements. When signed by both parties the contract becomes a legally binding document.
What happens if my child is ill or has an accident?
Caring for sick children is not part of the childminding service and you should keep your child at home or collect them if they are unwell. In the case of an accident the childminder should put the needs of the child first and act accordingly. You should be asked to sign consent for the childminder to seek emergency treatment if necessary. You should also read and sign their accident/incident book confirming you were given full details of any accident and action taken.
What is a an accredited childminder?
Some childminders have become part of the Wiltshire ‘Children Come First’ Quality Assurance Scheme and are now accredited proving their ability, knowledge and skill to provide early years education based on the Foundation Stage for 3 to 5 year olds.
Parents whose children are eligible for the Free Entitlement i.e. from the term following their 3rd birthday, can use all or part of their entitlement with an accredited childminder.
Accredited childminders are identified on the Family Information Service childminder's lists available from ask.
How do I find a childminder?
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The Family Information Service at ask has details of all childminders in Wiltshire. We can do a range of searches, for example which school, nursery or pre-school each childminder can take and collect from, their experience of disabilities and difficulties, their opening hours or those with immediate vacancies. Ring 08457 585072 or email info@askwiltshire.org for further details
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Most childminders details are also listed on the national website www.childcarelink.gov.uk
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Friends, neighbours or colleagues may be able to recommend a registered childminder they have used
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Your local Children's Centre may have information about local childminders
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