Childminders

Returning to Work or Study

If you are returning to work or study and need childcare then a childminder can offer flexible personal care in a family setting to suit you and your child.

Childminding is about a partnership between parents and a childminder who share the care of a child. It will be really helpful if you feel comfortable and at ease with the childminder as you will often need to talk about your child and their progress.

Childcare Tax Credits and Working Families Tax Credits

Using a registered childminder enables you to access Childcare Tax Credits and Working Families Tax Credits.

Agreements between you and your Childminder

If you can agree in advance on some of the following issues then it will help your child to settle in and avoid any future misunderstandings between you and your childminder:

• Managing behaviour or discipline
• Activities and outings
• Food
• Routines
• Health problems
• Toilet training

Visits

Visiting the childminder at home is a good way of deciding if this is where you want your child cared for.

You may need to visit a few childminders before you decide on one who has the kind of accommodation or the mix of ages that you want for your child.

Several introductory visits might be needed to help your child get to know the childminder and the other children who may be present.

The possibility of playing with new toys and equipment, or other children at the childminders can be a very positive encouragement to children to want to return when Mum or Dad has to go to work.

Please remember that it is also sensible in the long run, if you agree in advance on rates of pay, holidays and holiday pay, hours and whether these are flexible, sickness and sick pay. Also who provides nappies, baby food and pays toddler group fees.

Registered Childminders?

It is important to choose a childminder who is Registered as they will have the opportunity for training and support from the Childcare Partnership, SCMA and local Childminders Group.

Contact: Susan Mooney Telephone: 01856 876 384

A registered childminder will have been checked to make sure they are suitable to look after young children and they will have public liability insurance.

For additional information on these groups please see the Related Sites section.

Their homes will conform to basic safety standards with socket covers, fire guards etc, a mains operated smoke alarm and a fire blanket in the kitchen.

Remember the law says that anyone who looks after children for reward, for more than 2 hours a day in their own home, must register unless they are related to the child.