Frequently Asked Questions

I understand that leaving your child with a non family member for the first time is difficult. I’ve listed below a number of questions that will hopefully answer any questions you may have on the service I provide. Please also browse all sections in the site for information.

Q: What are your opening hours?  8am - 6pm Monday to Friday although these hours/days are flexible

Q. What are your fees?  For full details on my fees, please click here

Q: What is included in your fees?  Snacks, drinks, outings to toddler groups and any arts and crafts materials that we use.

Q. Will there be any additional costs?  Meals are additional (meal prices can be found here) and are discussed on an individual basis and dependant on your requirements.

On occasions I look to plan extra outings where an entry fee may apply – soft play, tourist attractions, ceramic experiences, etc. These would be billed as an additional cost. However, no outing would be scheduled unless all parents are in agreement in advance.

Q. Would I pay if my child were absent through sickness or due to family holidays?  For information on my fees, please click here

Q. Do you charge a deposit or a retainer fee for a space?  I will hold a space for your child provisionally for 1 week. To confirm your child’s place, a deposit will be required and will be dependant on your childcare requirements. Under certain circumstances this timescale may change, but you will be advised as soon as possible of any changes.

Q: Do you take the children on Outings?  Yes. To local soft play areas, library, toddler groups, and local parks. Occasionally we’ll go a bit further a field on pre-arranged trips.

Q: Do you cater for dietary requirements?  Yes. If you require meals to be provided, I offer homemade healthy balanced meals and snacks in line with the National Care Standards. If your child has any special dietary requirements or allergies I will be happy to discuss these with you. A sample menu can be found here.

Q. How often do you allow the children to snack?  Children will be allowed a healthy and nutritional mid morning and afternoon snack. If a child is hungry outwith meal and snack times, then fruit will be offered. No fizzy drinks will be provided, only water and/or squash based drinks.

Q. What activities will my child do throughout the day?  I aim to have the children in my care out and about at some point each day for outings to toddlers groups, rhyme time or outside play (weather permitting). When inside, the children will have a scheduled play times, quiet times and will enjoy a range of activities. A typical day with me can be found here.

Q. Do you visit local parks and open spaces regularly? Yes. I operate an all weather policy and hope to get children outdoors once a day. (In more extreme weather conditions, we would stay indoors). We are a five minute walk away from the Cycle network which is excellent for walks and there is a park within 10 minutes walk as well.

Q: Do you pick up from nurseries or schools?  Yes, I pick up from all local schools and nurseries.

Q. Do you offer part time childcare? Yes. Bridge of Weir Childminding offers full and part time places for children of all ages.

Q. What age range are the children in your care?   We care for a range of ages of children from very young babies to teenagers.

Q. How long have you been working with children?   I have been parenting my own daughter who is 8 months old and have spent many years babysitting and caring for children of family and friends!

Q: Do you have any family pets?  No we are a pet free home

Q. Who else lives in your house?  As well as myself and my daughter, my fiancé also lives with us!

Q. Where will my child rest? If your child requires a nap during the day, then we have the nursery which is used as a quiet room.

Q. How will you make sure I know how my child is getting on? / How do you keep me informed of routine and progress?  I keep a daily diary for each child which can be viewed each day at collection time. This will detail what your child did throughout the day, what they ate, drank and if they behaved well and any other piece of information that I think might be relevant to both you and I. I also hold developmental records for children and will use this in conjunction with their daily diary to observe your child’s progress.

Q. How do you encourage good behaviour?  I aim to encourage good behaviour by positive discipline via praise and encouragement. I do not administer any physical punishment, or any form of punishment which could involve or cause pain, discomfort, humiliation or hurtful treatment to a child.

Q. Are stair gates, fireguards and smoke alarms in place?   Yes. All rooms in use by children are risk assessed regularly, the kitchen is gated as no access is allowed for children (it's a small kitchen and we use the dining room for meal times), the smoke alarm is tested regularly and is main’s wired. I also have a fire blanket in the kitchen and all cupboards and drawers have child resistant locks.

Q. Is there a variety of clean toys and equipment for the babies and children to use?  Yes. All toys are cleaned daily with disinfectant and all toys are changed around regularly to keep children interested and help with their development.

Q. Who else will be around during the day?  My fiancé is out all day at work, so it’s just the children and me.

Q. What will happen if my child is unwell or on medication?  If your child is unwell with a short term sickness such as an upset tummy etc, I ask that the child remains at home. This is to help contain the spread of illnesses among the other children in my care and myself – if I’m sick, you would need to arrange alternative childcare, so it’s best to keep your child at home.

If your child has a long term medical condition or is on prescribed medication then I will work with you to develop a health care plan which will detail your Childs needs, any medical requirements, any training on my behalf and emergency procedures. Full details can be found in my parent pack (To receive it electronically, click here.

Q. Do parents get plenty of chances to say what they want for their child?  Of course. I aim to provide the best care possible for your child and endeavour to work with you to develop a trusting relationship between parent and childminder.

Q. Do you have a welcome pack/leaflet that tells me about your service?  Yes. I have a parent pack which details all aspects of my service and includes copies of all relevant certification. To receive it electronically please click here. Or you can contact me on 01505 612 947 and I can send it out to you in paper format. Otherwise, this site should hopefully tell you everything you’ll need to know about BoW Childminding.

Q: How can I be sure of the standard of care?  I am a registered childminder and a member of the Scottish Childminding Association. All childminders are regulated by the Scottish Commission for the regulation of care and undergo an annual inspection to ensure that I am providing your child with a safe and suitable environment. The registration process is wide-ranging and rigorous involving references, training and health checks. A disclosure check must be carried out on the prospective childminder and every other adult in their household. The prospective childminder's home is also inspected to ensure it is a safe and suitable environment for children.

Q. Do you have Public Liability Insurance?  Yes. A copy of my certificate is included in my parent pack.

Q: What should I do if I have a question?  If you have a question that isn’t answered on this site, then please feel free to contact me by phone on 01505 612 947 or email info@bow-childminding.co.uk

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