Hi Amber, we use FDC and I reckon it is awesome!

We approached a FDC scheme in our area. Its run by a Christian community organisation thing, but you dont have to be Christian to use it. Some councils have a scheme but ours does not.

We basically went out to the FDC , talked to them about what we wanted and they gave us the phone number of a lady who lives about 5 minutes from us. We went to meet her and she was absolutely lovely and Claire adores her. On weekends, she gets her shoes and hat on and then stands at the door repeating the carers name over and over...

Anyway, when we went to meet her, we asked stuff like:
- fees
- does she provide nappies and food or do we provide it
- how long has she been doing FDC
- how many children does she have on the days we want
- is it the same kids all the time or are there mainly casual kids that come and go
- check they are quialified in first aid,particularly for children
- her policy on kids that bite/hit etc

ummmm I cant remember the other stuff I asked!

When we were meeting her, we also obviously had a look around at :
- how much space
- was the space safe
- First aid kit?
- space for playing outside
- indoor play space
- age appropriate toys
- clean space for the children to eat
- also just the general feel of the place and how welcome the carer makes you feel
- how the carer interacts with your child and the other children

Claire started off going 3 days a week when she was 1. She was upset the first few times. I did start with just half days though. Unofrtunately it took such a long time from when we chose her to when she started FDC because the carer got put on Jury Duty and they wouldnt excuse her from it and it ended up being like 4 - 5 weeks long before she was available to have Claire.. so there was a few weeks at the very start that she didnt go. Anyway, she started off staying for 2 hours while I stayed as well, just so she could get familiar with the place and the people. Then the next week, she stayed for a half day on her own, then she started going for a full day on her own.

sorry I waffled on so much... hope this helps!