England

This article really shows how other countries do things. It's worth reading.

Mothers go 'Speed Dating' For Child Care
By Sarah Womack, Social Affairs Correspondent
NEWS.telegraph

Working mothers with little spare time can now choose a childminder by "speed interviewing," which uses the same techniques as speed dating to match carers with families.

As with speed dating, the childminders - who tend to be cheaper than nurseries - sit at a table and parents join them for a five- or 10-minute talk. Parents then move on to each childminder in turn.

At the end of the evening, if any parents want to continue to discuss child care with one of the minders, they leave their contact details with the event organiser who passes them on. It is then up to the childminder to make contact directly.

The childminders are encouraged to bring children to the events so that parents can see them in action.

A spokesman for the National Childminding Association, based in Bromley, south London, said: "This has been so successful. "Parents seeking a registered childminder can find it a time-consuming process. Speedminding gives parents a head start because they can come to one event at which there are 10 or 20 local registered childminders with vacancies. "

"It is important for childminders too because they do not have a 'shop window' in the way that nurseries do.

"The childminders have lots of information about their services including their latest Ofsted report, professional portfolios and photo albums."

Fifteen events have been held so far in community halls or schools in Bromley, Manchester, Richmond in south-west London, and Liverpool.

The concept was developed by Enfield borough council and the NCMA and is also used by nanny agencies.

Jenny Howell, of the Richmond Childminding Group, said: "Alongside the matchmaking aspect, the childminders had the chance to meet and talk about 'quality assurance' and find out about additional training, update their profiles, and refresh themselves with the latest information.

"Parents had the opportunity to find out about registered childminding and the benefits it offers their children."