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THE ADVANTAGES OF USING A CHILDMINDER:
- they are registered with and regularly inspected by Ofsted
- your child can form a close, one-
to- one relationship with their carer - they are self-
employed - siblings can be looked after together
- they have had a medical check
- they have their own public liability insurance
- they have a valid first-
aid certificate - they can offer flexible hours
- your child will mix with children of different ages from other families
- they care for small groups of children so they can take into account the individual needs of each child
- your child will be looked after in a home-
from- home environment - your child is cared for in their own community and can easily take part in local clubs and activities.
THE CHILDMINDER
- How long have you been a childminder?
- What do you enjoy most about the job?
- Why did you decide to become a childminder?
- Are you a member of NCMA?
- Do you have any relevant qualifications?
- What training have you done?
- Do you attend any Childminder Stay & Plays?
- Do you belong to a Quality Assurance Scheme like Croydon Children Come First Childminding Network?
SETTING
- 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?
- Can you describe a typical childminding day or week?
- How do you make sure you keep a good working relationship with parents?
- What arrangements do you have for meals and snacks?
- What do you consider unacceptable behavior, and how do you deal with it?
- Which festivals and special occasions do you celebrate and how?
- 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 cover, seat belts and car seats for this? - Do you and the children regularly go on outings during the week?
- Do you ever go on special trips out?
- Do you have pets or a garden?
- What do you do about holidays – both ours and yours?
- How do you make sure the individual needs of each child are met?
Parents’s Page
Are you currently looking for childcare?
Please contact the Family Information Service
for a list of registered childminders or look out for our next Meet a Minder Event:
11th September 10am until 12pm 2010
This is an opportunity to meet Registered Childminders, discuss your childcare needs
and ask questions in an informal and relaxed environment. Just drop in -
For further information please call
Croydon Childminding Association
0208 604 7036 or 0845 11 11 100
Or e-
PAPERWORK
- Please can you show me your registration and insurance certificates.
- Please can you show me your Ofsted inspection report, and what grading did you get?
- Can I see any references from parents?
- Can I see an example of the “All About Me Contact Book & Child Record Folder”?
Call The Family Information Service
0845 11 11 100
Questions to ask
Before you visit, spend some time thinking about all the things you are looking for in a childminder. Make a list of questions – use the ones below as a starting point. Don’t worry, childminders are used to this.
The information on this page has been taken from the NCMA 32 page booklet ‘Choosing
a Home-
