When you find a good childminder, one you will feel comfortable leaving your child with every day, it becomes a wonderful alternative to other forms of care. Your child has all the comforts and security of a home setting as well as other children to play and socialise with. If you have more than one child, they can be looked after together, with the childminder(s) continuing to provide care as your child or children move on to school.

Childminders are the second most commonly used form of childcare, after relatives. Using a childminder often appeals to parents who want to keep their child in a warm, friendly, homelike environment but can't or don't want to use a nanny or a relative. To check for Childminder's in your area use the ugov direct website Kites

Groups are often smaller than they are in nurseries, the homelike environment is comforting and reassuring, children have a single, consistent caregiver and they may be exposed to fewer illnesses. Their flexibility means that childminders often have more opportunities to take your child on trips out of the house, for example to the park, library or shops.

Of course, the quality of the care is all-important. Make sure that you choose a childminder who gives the children plenty of time and attention.

By finding the right carer, your child can benefit from the warmth of a close relationship and the fun of an extended family.

In England, childminders are registered and inspected by Ofsted. They must meet the national standards for under-eights childminding, which are available on the Ofsted website. All Childminder Inspection reports since April 2005 are also available on the same website.

In addition, an experienced, good childminder will be able to draw upon many parents, both past and present, who will be happy to give references. Ask for a few telephone numbers and ring them up for an informal chat. You will soon pick up a feeling from them. Take your own first impressions into account, too. Are you comfortable with this person? What is your child's reaction? Use your judgement to weigh up your own instincts and get views from previous and existing clients.

It is important to satisfy yourself that your own children will not be treated significantly differently to your childminder's children. You should talk about this when you meet up, as it is bound to be something that any competent childminder will have thought about.

You should accept that there will be different levels of familiarity in the household, at least for a little while, until your child becomes part of the family. But you should be able to feel that your child is treated equally from day one when it comes to issues such as discipline, conflict, resolution or attention.

Kids "4" Us are 3 registered childminder's (Ian Braisby, Jenny Braisby and Julie Rayment) who work together in Ian and Jenny's house.

Together they have over 19 years experience in professional childcare, Julie & Ian both have a level 3 qualification and Jenny has a level 5 qualification in a childcare field.

Jenny and Ian have 3 daughters, Madison aged 10 together with Nyah and Willow who are 7 year old twins. Julie has 2 sons, Jordan 10 and Ollie who is 4. Before joining us at Kids "4" Us Julie trained and coached children in gymnastics with a local independent club.

Our Standard hours are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday, but as many of our parents already know we start work whenever required and continue on until whenever the last child goes home.

We are available most Saturdays and Sundays and we can also help with overnight care should an emergency or work require you to be away from home.