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Original poster

Nursery/childminder advice

27 replies

shanerane · 19/05/2022 07:00

Just looking for advice. I have been a bit too relaxed about looking at nurseries and I’m now limited as a few of them are booked right up. So annoyed at myself. I viewed one yesterday which was ok and I’m going to view one this morning which is the only I really wanted to send him too and it’s the best in the area however I need baby to go every Tuesday for a full day and they don’t have availability until January for this. I’m considering getting a childminder from end of august when I go back to work until January when they can get him in however I’m just a bit concerned that this wouldn’t be fair on him and that it might make him unsettled once he gets used to the childminder to change him to a nursery? I really want him to go to nursery as I think it'll be great for him, I don’t have anyone else who could have him that day temporarily. He will be 11 months when I go back to work. Any advice?

OP posts:
GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 19/05/2022 07:11

If you find a childminder you like them why not keep him there? If you're happy and he's settled I wouldn't change.

daffodilandtulip · 19/05/2022 07:16

Childminders provide the same curriculum as a nursery and follow all the same regulations; with the added benefit of the outdoor trips. And if the proposed ratio changes go ahead, he'll have much more attention from a childminder, as childminders are less likely to increase their numbers so much.

Original poster
shanerane · 19/05/2022 07:16

I really want him to go to a nursery in the long term, especially this one. I have done lots of research and know it's the best option for him and us as a family.

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Original poster
shanerane · 19/05/2022 07:20

Also, childminders are working out more expensive then the nursery. That's obviously not why I'm keen for him to go to nursery though, but it's just another factor.

OP posts:
GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 19/05/2022 07:22

More expensive? Are you sure you don't mean a nanny?

Original poster
shanerane · 19/05/2022 07:26

Yes, more expensive. Only by about £10 a week but it all adds up.

OP posts:
Skyeheather · 19/05/2022 07:27

It sounds like you have already made your mind up about the nursery, it's the one of want and if you have to wait until January so be it.

So what are your other options for between now and January.?

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 19/05/2022 07:28

Will you be being honest with the childminder that you'll only need then until January? I wouldn't take on a child for that short time. I have a waiting list so I'd choose a family that actually want to use me rather than wish they had somewhere else.

Original poster
shanerane · 19/05/2022 07:39

Yes, I have already made my mind up about the nursery. My question was, is it unfair on my baby to use a childminder for 4 months once a week then move him into the nursery for one day a week. And yes, whenever I've enquired with childcare I have stated that I only need the childcare until January.

OP posts:
breatheintheamazing · 19/05/2022 07:48

Unlikely you'd get a childminder to agree to one day per week for just a few months. Most have minimum days and it's actually unfair on the child for so much upheaval and results in them not being settled. You'd be better off looking for a trainee / babybsittter / someone looking for experience in childcare for just one day per week

breatheintheamazing · 19/05/2022 07:49

Also surprised a nursery has agreed to one day a week - most also have a minimum number of days

SneezesHaveStarted · 19/05/2022 07:53

Is it literally only the one day a week childcare that you need? I think it would be hard for him to settle quickly going that infrequently, he’ll have forgotten about it by the time he goes again the following week. And to then move him 4 months later seems a bit unfair on him.
My instinct would be to think about getting a childminder for the first year and book him into the nursery for the following September when he’s 2, he’ll get more out of nursery at that age anyway.

Skinnermarink · 19/05/2022 08:01

The nursery we use won’t take them for one day- they don’t settle.

Workingisntworkingforme · 19/05/2022 08:03

I know a few people who only use a nursery/childminder for one day a week, mostly SAHMs who just want a break.

Original poster
shanerane · 19/05/2022 08:50

Regardless of wether we use a childminder or nursery it will only be for one day. I'm not going going to pay £50 for an extra day each week when it's not needed, we don't have that kind of spare money. Obviously different areas different guidelines as all the I've enquired to cater for just 1 day.

OP posts:
Original poster
shanerane · 19/05/2022 08:51

I know quite a few people who have their young children in nurseries just 1 day a week and are absolutely fine, that wasn't my question though.

OP posts:
Lindy2 · 19/05/2022 08:58

I'm not sure what answer you want really as you already seem set with what you're doing.

1 day a week means it will take longer to settle with a childminder or a nursery because there's such a big gap between sessions.

Changing provider after 4 months is likely to be unsettling for your child. You'll have to go through the new 1 day a week settling in process all over again.

However, it's your choice. Other than finding a nursery or childminder to use for the whole time you need childcare, which you've stated you don't want to do, you've left yourself with very little other options - unless you delay your return to work.

It's too late now to be better organised.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 19/05/2022 09:40

Yeah it's difficult to understand what you actually want people to say. You have said you're not changing anything so really, what do you want people to say?

Original poster
shanerane · 19/05/2022 09:46

I just wanted to know if it will unsettle him a lot to change from childminder to nursery after 4 months 🙈 if it will, I'll have to look at a different nursery but it's just not somewhere j would have chosen first. I know I should of done it sooner, but I've had lots going on and I can't change that now.

OP posts:
breatheintheamazing · 19/05/2022 09:51

Yes it will unsettle him

Kfjsjdbd · 19/05/2022 09:53

If you change from the childminder to a nursery he will be fine. Our nursery didn’t survive covid so I had to move my daughter and she was absolutely fine.

however I wouldn’t write off the childminder. My second daughter is at one and I actually prefer it to the nursery. I feel like her days are a lot more interesting because she goes out all the time with them.

NippyWoowoo · 19/05/2022 12:20

If he'll be fine with one day a week, he'll be fine with with the change.

Some children really don't settle with so little spent in another setting, but you know people for whom it works so good luck to you.

MrsMiddleMother · 19/05/2022 12:51

It will be fine for 1 day but is there really not another day you can work instead? Or is there not availability at the nursery until January regardless of days? It will be a bit unsettling for lo but I'm sure he'll be fine quickly

RedWingBoots · 19/05/2022 13:00

Yes it will be unsettling a child to change from a childminder to a nursery.

He will be the only under 1 the childminder will be allowed to look after as he isn't a twin, so he will get a lot of attention from the CM and the other mindees as he will be the youngest child. .

There as when he goes to nursery he will be with other children who are his age.

Original poster
shanerane · 19/05/2022 20:38

I'm now questioning my decision and wondering if it would be best for him to just go to the childminder for a longer period of time. She also seems great and I like that he would have more focus on him but I wanted the socialisation and stability a nursery brings. Also puts me off a bit that I would have to take all the same holidays as the CM as I don't get a huge amount myself.

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