Nanny or childminder-Playing double worth it?

[Jadefeather7]

I have a 6 month old and due to have another baby in June. I’m planning to go back to work for a few months in Jan/Feb as I think two years out of work will knock my confidence.

I’m struggling to decide what kind of childcare would be best for my DC1. I will have a four day week. I work in London and have a 1 hour commute each way. Often leave home at 7 and get back by 6/7/8. DH works from home a lot but he has long hours too and often does 2-3 trips a month up north as well as 3 week trips abroad every quarter.

The childminder would cost half what the nanny would cost but I’m wondering whether the convenience of having someone at home is worth the extra cost? Has anyone tried both?

As it's only a few months and the days are so long I'd choose a nanny. I've used both. Mainly childminder (or nursery) but had a project that involved overnight stays weekly and having a nanny meant the children could wake up as normal and go to bed at the same time regardless of our hours.

I think you would struggle to get a cm who works till 8. Also your real problem might be it is such a short term contact

The childminder only works until 7. I would need to leave the office at 5 on the days I’m not working from home and make up any extra hours needed after 7 when DC1 is asleep.

I’d imagine a Nanny would be easier to find for a fixed term contract than a childminder. I think given your hours and that that DH may be traveling, a nanny would also make drop offs and picks up easier. DC can be home in their surrounding with their routine and you only need to come and go not also factor in going to CM on way to work or after.

Definitely a nanny for those long hours - that way you won't be dragging your DC out of bed to drop off at the child minders, and taking them straight home to sleep - assume your DC will need 12 hours of sleep a night, so your nanny will sometimes need to get them up and put them to bed as you'll be out of the house for their whole waking hours.

A cm has to follow the eyfs, a nanny does not.

I strongly suggest meeting with some good childminders and a nanny agency and make a decision from there.

Personally, I wouldn't swap my cm for a nanny, my eldest gets so much from the setting and interactions with her other mindees.

I was all set to say childminder - experience socialising with other children, more fun in a group, etc. But actually for those hours, with such a young child and only for a few months, get the nanny. But make it part of the deal that she does some light housework too, eg get the groceries delivered while she is there for her to unpack, she puts washing in the machine and moves it to the drier, unpacks the dishwasher or whatever. She entitled to some downtime while the baby naps, but she should do other things that will make your life easier too. Clearly agree the parameters when you hire her.

I thought nanny would be the recommended option I just feel like £6-7k Extra is a lot and I hope it’s really worth it!

An Extra 6-7K? Extra to what? That seems like a lot for a couple of months work!

you'd presumably need someone to live in on a fixed term contract for the hours you need. Maybe the convenience would knock off against the cost

It’s an extra 6-7k when compared with a childminder.

I have an 11 month old little boy and went back to work full time when he was 9 months old.

I could not have done it without my wonderful nanny. No pick up/drop off, she takes him out to classes and playgroups, organises and goes to playdates, cooks all his food, does all his washing, tracks his developmental milestones. She is a godsend.

I could not be fully invested back in my career without her.

make it part of the deal that she does some light housework too, eg get the groceries delivered while she is there for her to unpack, she puts washing in the machine and moves it to the drier, unpacks the dishwasher or whatever.

Good luck finding a short-term nanny who wants to work until 8pm with an under one year old and do your housework too!

Working until 8pm is not the norm but it happens occasionally. I normally work until 6pm.

I’m not sure it’s that unusual for a nanny to work with an under 1 year old or do a bit of light housework.

The short term nature of the contract might put off some candidates, yes.

I’m not sure it’s that unusual for a nanny to work with an under 1 year old or do a bit of light housework.

It’s not standard either, so combined with the hours and short-term nature of the contract it might just be that you struggle to find a candidate, unless you live in an area particularly well-supplied with nannies. Good luck!

A nanny can come with other perks eg my friends nanny takes the kids swimming, baby groups, 15 hours a week free preschool when the time comes, she cooks for the whole family (they a little older than yours), does the kids laundry, changes their bedding etc. She also puts the vacuum around as needed (they have a proper cleaner weekly) and walks the dog with the kids.

A nanny would be more inclined to work to your family needs as she is your employee. A CM will set the limits and you are her client.