whats the difference between a nanny and a CM?

I think more and more CMs these days keep on taking certificates and expanding the formal side of their qualifications, it is something Offsted encourages.

My CM has 18 years experience as a Mum. That's the best education you can have in order to look after my baby, IMHO...

Yes I think swings and roundabouts is a good way of putting it.

I have been to university and would say I am well educated and am now a childminder. I have a friend who is also a childminder who left school after our A-levels and started a family early. she is one of the best childminders I know and most of that comes from having looked after her own family for a long time. She is now gaining further childcare qualifications which can lead to a degree.

I also know a lot of nannies who have either no, or very basic training and that started straight from school with no qualifications at all.

Qualifications are one thing, but childcare experience and a good head on your shoulders can outway that any day.

I think the comment may have been in reference to the fact most qualified nannies have done a 2 year NNEB/DCE/BTEC but you can become a childminder with a 12 hour ICP and not have to do any more 'formal' training.

Having said that you can become a nanny with no qualifications whatsoever. Equally you may have an ex-primary school teacher for a CM.

Swings and roundabouts.

Although I don't think it's essential if someone is good with children our last few nannies had done an NNEB or whatever nanny qualification and you need certain exams to get on those courses and then me just comparing anecdotally the child miners I've known and the nannies there did seem to be a difference but you can't generalise and it would be better to have a good child minder who was there for the child for 10 years than young nannies however well trained leaving every 5 minutes.

They weren't ...

Xenia - are you basing your "nannies are better educated than CM's" on ome evidence or your experience. My (admittedly limited) experience hasn't found there to be a significant difference. A friend had a succession of nannies for her DS when he was little and frankly all bar one of them I wouldn't have trusted with my cat. They were noticebly well-educated I have to say. I do admit that is a sweeping statement just not sure what you're basing your theory on.

Besides which (and I speak as one who would like to consider herself passably well educated) I'm not sure that education is the most important quality I'm looking for in a child carer. Unless I'm expecting her (or him of course!) to help junior with his maths GCSE homework.

I am certainly going to take issue with the idea that nannies have had "more education and better training" !!! Just read through some of the threads in this childminding section to see just how much training CMs have to have, or choose to have. Some of us have higher education qualifications or degrees from our pre-childminding days.

Many CMs are parents themselves, so inherently understand and can deal with children - no amount of "training and education" can possibly outdo that!

If you don't know whether or not you want a childminder, you could visit a few to get a feel for what they offer. We all work very differently, so it might help you decide what sort of things you do or don't like. (I don't know enough about nannies, so can't really comment.)

I've worked with people who import pharmaceuticals but you need to know what you're doing.
I was speaking to someone this morning who does pharma research as their business.
I suppose there are lots of things you can do in that field.
I think it's often best to keep the day job and try a new business in your spare time and then when it's working give up the day job.

CACHE = Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education Website
They are one of the large examination bodies for childcare related courses.

glad you liked my website, it was designed by a mumsnetter (I did the code, but I'm not great at graphic design).

Find a childminder who you feel able to chat with when needed, but who still operates on a business level. Someone business like, but approachable... kind and considerate, but who keeps things in prospective and takes care of all their clients needs, not just yours.

A sidenote: Do you cuddle your dd to sleep every night? If so, please can I advise against it... as your dd is of an age now where she should learn to settle herself to sleep at night. Cuddle while singing, reading stories etc. But aim to put dd in her cot while still awake. It's much easier doing this now, than when she gets to 3 years old.

my cm was a nanny before she had a baby, he is about the same age as ds. that is a very good setup because basically ds is being treated the same as her own child, or at least having the same experiences

I actualyl one way to make having a CM or nanny work is (and I've had various difference ones for nearly 23 years now) is that you accept they will not do things the way you do (obviously within reason - yo udon't someone who smacks or is really strict if you're quite free etc) and that the child will benefit from the differences.

Nannies are kind of more yours, you stipulate more- take it to XYZ child gym at 10.30am etc. - they are employees in that sense.

If there are more children even more younger siblings the more likely you need some kind of a routine.

A childminder works in partnership with parents, so you can tell a childminder that your dd does not have a regular sleep pattern and it's fine for her to nap as and when she feels like it.
As a nanny, I care for a 9 month old like your dd... no daytime nap routine, but sleeps well at night. Some days she will have a nap, especially if we've been doing an energetic activity - such as swimming. She will often cat-nap when in the carseat, while travelling to/from activities.

Finding someone with lots of experience and who does things the same you do, will often be your ideal match. They will have a vast knowledge about children of various ages, so can help prepare you for upcoming stages in your DD's development, plus spot if anything appears not to be following usual development patterns. This can be very reassuring for new parents, who can benefit from having someone to ask about child related things.

I would advise that you look at childminders (from your other posts, it looks like you are heading in that direction already) and not for 1:1 care. Small homely environment with a childminder who cares for a variety of ages of child could work well for you - babies are usually centre of attention, and benefit from having older (almost sibling like) children around them.

I'll try to answer each question as it arises in the thread so far... as there seems to be some confusion by some posters.

There are several key differences between a nanny and a childminder. I feel the key differences are:
~ A nanny cares for children, at the child's home - a childminder cares for children at the carers home.
~ A nanny is an employee, so will do as you tell them - a childminder runs a business, and you have to fit in with how that business operates. For example, a childminder may have fixed hours they work, whereas a nanny may work long hours typically 11 hours+ per day.
~ A nanny currently does not have to be registered by government (though this may change), a childminder is registered and inspected once every 3 years (though can be more often than that, and also less often).
~ A nanny can voluntarily register under Ofsted, and may be inspected (this registration is useful for parents who get Childcare Vouchers and/or Tax Credits).
~ The registered body will check a childminder's suitability (plus members of their immediate family aged 16+) to work with children. Nannies have their suitability checked by the parents and/or agency (Registered nannies will have to meet specific registration requirements). Parents employing a nanny ultimately make the recruitment decision and monitor how their employee does their job.
Note: All childcare workers these days have an Enhanced CRB check, register nannies have this updated yearly (childminders don't currently get theirs updated as often). Childcare workers also will often have Early Years First Aid training, plus may have specific training relating to childcare - such as an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education (or equivalent).
~ A nanny may (subject to contract) do household tasks related to the children, whereas a childminder will not (as they are not at your home).

There are no doubt other differences, but I consider the above to be the major ones.

With one child for whom you want 1:1 care, a nanny may be your only option, as a childminder will probably have other children to care for, at least at some point during the day (such as from school collection time onwards). Part-Time, Live-Out nannies in some areas can be hard to find, while childminders may be more able to accommodate a child attending 2 days per week.

is it impossible to get a CM one to one

I would say that it may be very hard. A childminder just starting out may like the idea, but established childminders I feel will want to care for a variety of ages of children. So you may find that a childminder who cares mostly for after-school children, could provide 1:1 care for part of the day.
Cost is hard to know as childminders run their business as they like and thus will charge what they like. 1:1 care would not be the norm, so you would need to ask each childminder specifically about that.

A nanny I would expect to set you back maybe around £79-£100 per day (inclusive of taxes) - a quick search of Part Time Nanny Jobs in Brighton resulted in salary offers of £7 net per hour to the nanny. Thus if it were a 10 hour day, that is £70 per day, which for 2 days is around £152 gross per week (if you are their only employer) or around £185 gross per week if on BR tax code. Added to that is Employers NI which for £152 per week is around £6.66. Thus total of say £159 per week, thus £79.50 per day. Useful Tools: E-Gismos PAYE Calculator ListenToTaxman PAYE Calculator

do they normally have large houses and big gardens?

No. It will vary hugely between childminders. In a city especially, you may find that it ranges from childminders working from a 2-bed flat, to childminders working from detached houses. Big house does not always mean big garden, as land in the South is at a premium and gardens get developed. Childminders will often use a local park.

where do they nap?
Childminders rarely get time for naps
Neither do nannies
Oh, you meant the children! Sometimes a bed is provided (not all childminders will have bedrooms included in their registration), though some children will nap in buggies, on a mat on the floor, in a portable cot, that sort of thing.

do you feel a cm is the next best thing to mummy?
Could be next best thing to daddy as some childminders, like some nannies, are male. With young children having consistency I feel is vital, so having a primary carer, is I feel better than having various carers (as could occur at a nursery).