Choosing a Childminder

What to look for when you = visit the=20 Childminders=20

Arrange to visit the minder in their own home. Try = and do=20 this during the day, when the Childminder has = own=20 children and other minded children around. The = environment in=20 which your child is minded will influence him/her and = parents=20 should be able to imagine themselves as children = spending each=20 day with this person, in this house. Don't rush = through the=20 visit to the prospective childminder's home. If they = is the=20 right person to care for your child, they will fully=20 understand your need to take your time.=20

If the Childminder does not make you feel welcome = and=20 relaxed, you have no reason to think that your child = will feel=20 any different. It is his/her responsibility and also a = measure=20 of his/her professionalism to make the interview a = pleasant=20 and informative experience for you. He/she can do this = by=20 being forthcoming with an offer to go around the house = and see=20 the area available to the children.=20

Be observant. What sort of person is this = childminder? Can=20 he/she make conversation easily? How does he/she = interact with=20 the children? Does he/she handle the situation of = needing a=20 bit of peace to talk to you well? You must allow that = children=20 'act up' when visitors appear - can he/she cope = calmly? Do=20 his/her own children appear secure? Can you imagine = him/her=20 reading a story with a bit of animation, or cuddling a = teething baby? Is he/she a good listener? Does he/she = avoid=20 eye contact?=20

Ask to look around the house. Untidiness is = perfectly=20 acceptable to children because it is a by-product of = their=20 play activity. Danger, dirt or chaos is a different = matter.=20 Are there toys, books, musical instruments? Is the = house=20 obviously geared for children, with guards on fires, = potties=20 and a child-step for using the toilet and a gate at = the=20 stairs? Is there a quiet room for children to sleep = during the=20 day, with clean bedclothes? Is the garden secure, with = a sand=20 pit, swings or slides, or climbing frames? Is there a=20 pot-guard on the cooker and a fire blanket or = extinguisher in=20 the kitchen? Do you notice any over-loaded sockets or = trailing=20 flexes?=20

What Questions to Ask=20

If you are at ease with the potential Childminder = and are=20 satisfied with the house, you must ask some questions. = They=20 will expect this, and should not appear to be = defensive.=20

Here are some questions which a good Childminder = would=20 expect:=20

Childminding = Ireland

You must follow = any=20 references up.=20

Garda Vetting is available, free of charge, to all=20 Childminders and adults in their home. For = Childminders=20 minding 4 or more children it is a legal requirement, = for=20 others it is voluntary. Details of Garda Vetting are = here. You=20 are entitled to ask if the Childminder is vetted and = to=20 request that he/she gets Garda Vetting before minding = your=20 child.=20

Ordinary household insurance does not include = minded=20 children. Cover for minding children is available and = he/she=20 should have a certificate of cover.=20

If he/she has a professional approach to the job, = or as a=20 parent is interested in child development or child = psychology,=20 he/she may have attended some relevant course.=20

However, if you notice a shelf of books on child = care and=20 development and the house contains some obviously well = cared=20 for children, with plenty of toys, play materials, = books,=20 dressing-up clothes and baby equipment - don't press = too hard=20 for qualifications. Practical experience and the right = temperament are the most important requisites for = undertaking=20 child care. You could ask what she would do if a baby=20 swallowed a penny, or started to choke, or developed a = high=20 temperature.=20

Is the minder is 'mobile' - i.e. able to take the = children=20 to the shops, or for a walk, as this is one of the = great=20 advantages of family care. Children learn about the = world by=20 being taken to the shops, the bank, the library, the=20 hair-dressers, the post office. Like adults, they need = variety=20 in every day-life. =

Source: Childminding=20 Ireland
The National Childminding Association of=20 Ireland

www.childminding.ie=20

info@childminding.ie=20

ph 01 287 84=20 = 66

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Choosing a Childminder