Meeting local childminders?

**Bushpig** · 08-08-2008, 10:49 PM

Anyone know of a site where other childminders make plans to meet up per chance?

I am often asked for other childminders names in the area from folks calling me inquiring, and if I cannot help I'd like to be able to responsibly recommend another local childminder.. but know none that close. I just recommend ***** and CIS.

I would also like to meet up with other minders myself.

The minders I meet on course are too far afield in the borough.

Any ideas?

**polobear1970** · 09-08-2008, 05:38 AM

Hi jen,

Where are you based.

When i 1st started, I phoned a couple of the childminders on the CIS list to try and find out if there was any childminders meeting in my area.

sadly the only ones they had were in the morrnings and as i only had mindees in the afternoon wasn;t mush good.

Would be great if there was a website or something like that

Lisa

Pipsqueak · 09-08-2008, 06:57 AM

do you have network meetings once a month?

How about asking your DO if they could arrange a get together once in a while so you can get to know each other.

Failing that - here!!!

**Pudding Girl** · 09-08-2008, 07:04 AM

Give your local development officer a call, they'll know if there's a childminding group, any toddler groups esp for CM, and also where they tend to hang out ( Charlie Chalks on a Monday, leisure centre on a tuesday etc) that's how I made my contacts.

**Angela234** · 09-08-2008, 08:20 AM

I agree with the others we have a childminding group (started about a year ago) here has been in a hall but in Sept going to be in our new children's centre mind you only about 5 of us attend which is a shame. I also go toddler group i'm the only minder there, though staff always recommend me to parents asking about childcare which is good.

You could try e-mailing other minders from CIS web site and ask them if they go anywhere they can either answer or not

Good luck

Angela

**sarah707** · 09-08-2008, 08:45 AM

I don't recommend other minders - with the greatest respect to friends of mine who come on here, other minders don't always have spaces and might let the parent down, which would reflect badly on me. Also, it's not unknown for children to not come back when they've gone somewhere cheaper etc and i would hate for a minder I know to be put in that position by a parent as I was a while ago...

**Pauline** · 09-08-2008, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by JenniPenni

Anyone know of a site where other childminders make plans to meet up per chance?

Can recommend a great site - you are already here - THIS ONE!

**jmoff** · 09-08-2008, 08:36 PM

well, I am in Kingston if you fancy meeting up...

I have made a couple of good childminder friends through trainings....

Good luck!

Jana x

**Bushpig** · 09-08-2008, 09:39 PM

I am in Wimbledon, by the common... would love to meet up with any of the wonderful ladies on this site, pm me if you are interested

Thanks for the ideas... and yes, I can see how I would need to be careful, do not want anything to go wrong and I look bad.

**Spangles** · 09-08-2008, 11:41 PM

Are you a womble?

**Spangles** · 09-08-2008, 11:42 PM

I am so sorry! I thought of it and couldn't resist typing it! It's time I went to bed now I think.

Good luck with meeting up with other childminders, I am too far away unfortunately.

**Mrs.L.C** · 10-08-2008, 02:50 PM

facebook. We have a group on there for childminders in Daventry and there are other for childminders all over so there may be a childminder group on there for your area or you could start one

**Chatterbox Childcare** · 10-08-2008, 05:32 PM

I go to toddler groups, soft play areas.

Contact your Surestart Centre or CIS and find out if there are local childminding groups in your area. If there isn't one speak to NCMA and they may fund the initial hall booking.

I run a group of 22 minders and we all meet once a month, lots is discussed and anything outside of this I email. It has taken a while but we are all socialising together outside of work too.

Also ask if there is a network near you. Trio seem to be based in a lot of the counties now.

Just get yourself out and about and people will talk to you.

Debbie

**Bushpig** · 12-08-2008, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Spangles

Are you a womble?

hahaha shhhh don't tell anyone!
All my mindees are a lot taller than me

**Spangles** · 18-08-2008, 07:32 PM

Ha ha!

I just saw your avatar on another thread and so looked for this one! Very funny!

**Bushpig** · 18-08-2008, 09:25 PM

hehe I take my wombling very seriously you know

**sarah707** · 18-08-2008, 09:26 PM

Which Womble is it in your picture Jenni?

**Bushpig** · 18-08-2008, 09:29 PM

Orinoco

I have the whole womble family living in my playroom.. seriously.. I do

Hubby asked who I had REALLY bought them for.. me or the kids?

**sarah707** · 18-08-2008, 09:31 PM

Wikipedia desribes Orinoko as 'lazy and gluttonous'... I thought he was quite cute!

**Bushpig** · 18-08-2008, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by sarahnev707

Wikipedia desribes Orinoko as 'lazy and gluttonous'... I thought he was quite cute!

hahaha yes he likes his food and is a tad lazy... but lives by a fine motto!
Make Good Use of Bad Rubbish

I picked that avatar pic cause I like his red scarf

Maye I should rotate them though... give the whole family a turn at chatting in the forum...?