Need to start thinking about childcare - where to start?

[jumpyjan]

I am due to go back to work 2 or 3 days a week in January and think I should probably start to look at the options for childcare but don't have a clue where to start.

DD will be 1 by that time but I still feel very panicky about the thought of leaving her as I have not left her at all so far.

In a way I think I would prefer a childminder but don't know how you go about 'interviewing' if that is the right word. What are the benefits of nurseries vs childminders? I have a list of childminders and nurseries in the area but the information it gives is quite limited - do you just phone around them/visit them etc?

Would love to hear from anyone who has recently been through this and has some advice on how to select a childminder or nursery and what the benefits are of each.

[jumpyjan]

anyone?

[tasja]

you can visit www.ncma.co.uk for childminders in your area

I think a childminder is more flexible.

[tasja]

You just go and see the childminders in your area, see what each offer, ask them questions like if they provide nappies, wipes, what food do they provide, do you have to pay extra for food, what activities does she do with your child?

[tasja]

Yes you just phone them up and make an appointment to see them. What area are you?

[jumpyjan]

thanks tasja.

tried the website but its says its suspended, not sure why.

Thanks for the tips.

[tasja]

sorry, visit www.childcarelink.gov.uk

or you can go to www.ncma.gov.uk and find above link there

[Katymac]

Just so everyone knows NCMA.org.uk is the webaddress

[tasja]

SORRY I'm tired and stressed

[Shoshable]

Borrowed from Alibubbles list of questions to ask a CM

Alibubbles list

How long have you been working with children?

What training have you had? Any qualifications? Are you part of a network, achieved a quality assurance qualification, look at registration certificate, insurance details, business use for car. First aid must be no more than 3 years old, food hygiene certificate, Certificate in Childminding practice or NVQ 3, Contracts and record forms

Do you enjoy being with children and why?

Can I look around, see the rooms and outside play space? If there is no outside play space - how will you make sure my child gets the chance to play outside?

Where will my child rest?

What kind of food and drink will you give? Can I see a menu?

What will my child do all day?

How do you encourage good behaviour?

Will my child be with a regular group of children? How old are they? How will their timetable fit in with my child?

How will you make sure I know how my child is getting on?

What hours is she open?

How much does she charge?

What about when my child is sick, holidays, days off

What do you do in an emergency?

When was her last Ofsted, can you see the report?

Top 10 Quality Pointers

When you visit possible childcare options, look for these Quality Pointers:

Are the children calm, safe, happy and busy?

Do children play and talk together?

Is the childminder listening to the children and answering them carefully?

Is the childminder friendly and proud of her work?

Is she joining in joining in with what the children are doing?

Are there lots of fun activities planned to help children learn and play? Can children plan some of these activities themselves?

Are there plenty of clean toys and equipment for children to use?

Is the premises clean, well kept and safe for children with a fun outside play area (or will the child go to parks and other places regularly)?

Do parents have plenty of chances to say what they want for their children?

If there are other things you want to know, don't be afraid to ask. Good childminders expect you to ask questions and will be happy to answer them.

Always take up references. You could ask for names of other parents to talk to about the service

Listen to your child and find out more if he/she is unhappy
Always trust your own feelings about your childcare - you know your child best

[Katymac]

• didn't mean to nag

[jumpyjan]

brilliant shoshamble - just what i needed.

thanks.

[jumpyjan]

sorry - meant to type shoshable!

[Shoshable]

You were prob right the first time and Alibubbles wrote the list i just cut and pasted it

[nangnangnang]

JJ - can I just endorse Shoshable's final point about the importance of trusting your gut feeling when you talk to potential CMs. I hired one who ticked all the boxes but I had a nagging feeling something wasn't right. I had little choice but to go along with her for logistical reasons and swallowed my doubts. Then in a chance conversation I found out she was looking after a second babe under the age of 1 for a couple of hours at the same time as my DS - insane as well as contrary to OFSTED guidelines. I was left to find a new one in a real hurry but, when I did, I knew immediately she was right for us. She's been brilliant ever since. I still kick myself for not trusting my instincts about the first one.

You could try visiting potential CMs at a time when the parents of the other children they mind are coming to collect them. When I first visited our current CM I was really reassured to see the mutual respect between her and the parents.

Happy hunting!

[jumpyjan]

good advice - thanks nnn.

[CeciC]

Hi JJ,
I don't know if you still have doubts between CM vs Nursary. I have two girls, and gone back to work full time after both ML. I have used CM everytime, the main reason being, as we don't have any relatives around, all my famili lives in Spain and my PIL in Scotland, we needed a childcare option which we could use when the girls where at school. If you don't have any relatives that can help in an emergency, I would look for a CM, as when your LOs are in school, usually, they will be able to go to the CM in case the school closes for "Snow" for example. Usually all the CM will take the mindees to a nursary when they are older, if you wish so.

[jumpyjan]

Thanks Cecic.

I think I am leaning towards a childminder over a nursery now - just need to find a good one.

I too, don't have any family nearby so think its the best option.

Thanks for your post.

[NKF]

My preference is for nannies. And I would probably go for a nanny share rather than a childminder.

[jumpyjan]

What is the difference between a childminder and a nanny?

[NKF]

A childminder looks after children in her own home, a nanny in yours. A nanny is your employee, a childminder is self employed. Nannies are more expensive but I think a share would bring down the price to around the level of a childminder.

[canmummy]

I'm back to work soon and have chosen a nursery for my lo. I've had 2 childminders over the last 3 years and they were both pretty dire. They did things I didn't agree with (not necessarily with my own children so couldn't really say anything). My last one was so expensive it's actually far cheaper to use a nursery.

The school run argument for me is I use the school's after school club/breakfast club and they are looking forward to it so much rather than being run to school with 4 others.

As for interviews I've just rung up in the past and been to visit them to ask questions. (One I went to visit said she'd rather play golf on her days off and had I considered the new nursery just opened down the road!!!)

Maybe ask for word of mouth - I meet a lot of local childminders at the mums and tots groups and you can see how well the good ones interact with the children and have a lot of patience.

[jumpyjan]

Thanks NKF and Canmummy.

Have decided to look at both nurseries and childminders so we can make an informed decision.

Got loads of phoning around to do!

[lyndsayconway]

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[lyndsayconway]

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[glucose]

lyndsayconway - so pleased to hear that at 34 there is somehting I am still too young to take part in!

jumpyjan - I was a childminder for 18mths while my dd was a babe - now I have gone back to work and use a nursery. I prefer a nursery as I think it the right thing for my daughter. You can try the Children's Information Service at your local council & if there is a childminding co-ordinator ask him/her if they know of any one with a vacancy. They are not supposed to reccomend people, but in my experience they can often steer you in the right direction
good luck