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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

How did you find your childminder

39 replies

Praisebe · 13/05/2018 20:09

Im not due till November but i read online childminders often have waiting lists and im going back to work after 3 months so need something sorted for then.
I joined childcare.co.uk and messaged a few childminders in my area to get a rough idea of how it all works and the pricing etc
Id need someone to do around 30hrs or less per week depending on what im doing that week and so far I've had i responses all saying they won't work before 10am or they don't do Saturdays or anything short notice Confused how did you find the right one ? The ones in my area seem frankly bonkers and the nurseries won't accept babies under 18months so that's a no go area

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Original poster
Praisebe · 13/05/2018 21:47

I work set days and set times but DH does shift work that's all over the place so its hard to pinpoint which days he'd be at hime with the baby so we wouldn't need childcare for that day

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Original poster
Praisebe · 13/05/2018 21:44

I need around 8hrs per day from 8am to 6pm 4 days a week including one Saturday which is non negotiable unless DH can make sure he gets that day off each week which would be difficult.

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BunloafAndCrumpets · 13/05/2018 21:23

If you don't work on set days it can be really hard. Basically most places you pay for a 'space' which is a set day and time, same every week. The shift workers I know have to use family or have to pay for five full days even if only needing to use three or four. It's really hard. Hope you can find something suitable. Good idea to start looking now.

Xuli · 13/05/2018 21:20

It is confusing but basically anything external is generally set to run 8-6 Monday - Friday, if you need different hours from that you're looking at nannies and au pairs

Xuli · 13/05/2018 21:18

We have always done shift work but we've basically had to pay for full time childcare and then not used it some days. Nurseries and childminders need a guaranteed income so they don't often do those sort of ad hoc or changing hours. The most we ever got down to was a guaranteed payment of 30 hours a week and then paid more if we used more, but didn't get any money back if we used less hours.

What kind of hours do you actually need?

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 13/05/2018 21:17

It’s not the short notice, it’s the changing pattern that you want. With ratios to adhere to, many setting can’t accommodate different hours each which unless you pay for them.

Original poster
Praisebe · 13/05/2018 20:55

We plan our work schedules a month in advance so i didn't class that as short notice Confused and the nurseries have all said they only take 18months and over as none of their keyworkers are trained in newborns. Its all really confusing and im jot sure how people plan childcare unless they work a 9-5 all week every week

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Agent13 · 13/05/2018 20:28

I echo the where do you live?
No Saturdays and no short notice sounds normal but the not working before 10am and the nurseries not taking babies sounds frankly bizarre!

I found a childminder by ringing our local area’s lead/head childminder who then gave me some numbers. I also asked around local friends with older children (I’d met these at baby group though, obviously you can’t do that yet). With nurseries we searched online and then visited a couple to get a feel for them.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 13/05/2018 20:25

Has there been a mix up in communication? This (10am starts and no under 18m) doesn’t sound like anything I’ve heard before. Confused

Starlight2345 · 13/05/2018 20:25

I am a childminder .

Most don’t work weekends . Due to small numbers can’t do short notice.

If you search your local council there will be a list there.

I also and don’t know any who do waiting list and either have space or don’t .

Fill out your requirements on childcare.co.uk though it is very early to be blocking of a space if I had a vacancy.

xyzandabc · 13/05/2018 20:22

Your local council should have a list of all registered childminders in your area. In ours you can search by postcode which is helpful. Have a look on the council website, you should be able to find something.

Not working Saturday's is very normal for childminders, I think you will struggle with that requirement.

However all the childminders I know start by 8am, some will do 7 or 7.30 if you ask. I've never heard of not starting until 10am, who are they catering for? Where do they find their customers if they don't work until well after most people's work day has started,???

K80E · 13/05/2018 20:20

Nurseries don't take on children under 18 month?? Where do you live?

purpleme12 · 13/05/2018 20:19

I didn't go for childminder in the end but my first port of call was the council (there's a department can't remember what it's called but it deals with childcare and stuff) they sent me out a list of nurseries and childminders in my area

Xuli · 13/05/2018 20:13

Before 10am sounds nuts. Not working Saturdays is pretty normal though. Short notice isn't normally a goer either as they need a guaranteed income. What hours are you looking for?

We used childcare.co.uk and also word of mouth and local Facebook parents page