Can't get place for DD in nursery but want her to get used to group care environment. P/T childminder good idea?

[pinotgrigio]

We've recently moved to Oz for 7 months and have a nanny for childcare. However, DD is now 2.8 and I really want her to be in nursery a couple of days per week so she can spend time with other children and also get used to not having constant one on one attention.

There are absolutely no nursery places available in Sydney, everybody assumes I'm looking for 2007 places when I call. GASP. I've phoned 50+ nurseries and nobody can help.

I have no experience of childminders but am wondering whether sending DD to one for a couple of days per week would give her the group play I'm looking for.

What do you think? Stick to full time nanny and go to lots of playgroups, keep phoning nurseries weekly in the hope that all 400 children fall off their waiting lists or go with the p/t childminder?

Or is she too young for me to be worried about this? I heard that children who have nursery care from 2.5 tend to do better at settling into school?

I think the childminder is a grand idea -- especially if you can find one with other kids your DD's age. Obviously, you'd need to see one who is in the habit of attending playgroups and such. Alternatively, could you enroll your DD (and nanny) in some scheduled activities which provide this socialisation? I don't know, a local gymnastics club or something.

PS I have little sympathy for those living in Sydney... must be nice!!

Maybe my experience will help. DD full time nanny age 7 months to 15 months. Child minder 15 months to current she is now 2.9. Being with a mixture of ages has really added to her language and confidence. The minder has ages 5 -8 after school. People stop me in the street and comment on her language skills. She wouldn't get this from nursery as same ages kept together. But as soon as I can afford it DD is going to nursery for 4 days and minder 1 day as DD will benefit from learning things in structured environment. Minder keeps her safe but does not teach her things. I work full time.

Thanks uwila & LV. That's given me something to chew on.

Anybody else?

I agree. I'm a new childminder and have 5 different aged children in the house, a few older ones during the holiday's and it's amazing how quickly my ds (2.5 yrs) has developed his language and communication skills - I'm well chuffed at his development!!

I agree too. I childmind for 10 children aged 7 months to 10 years. The ages 1-5 come on in leaps and bounds, (not just in their speech and language, but intellectually, physically and socially too) from their contact with the older ones. Although LasVegas says 'the minder doesn't teach her things', children this age learn far,far more through their play than structured 'teaching'.My lot are like one big happy family.

I agree with Blodwen, 2 of my young mindees went to nursery before they came to me and their parents have commented on how much they have developed all round since coming to me. They get my full attention all day (some days i may have 1,2 or 3 under 3's) then when we pick the older ones up from school they love playing with them and they learn so much from them (and i find they also love the whole playground experience as well).

Lasvegas - most childminders don't usually do "structured" learning in the way that a nursery may be seen to do it, but we certainly do help them learn through play

I guess the difference is that childminders are home-based, will have less children present than a nursery, and will probably have a different mix of ages.

Yes, childminders do "keep them safe" (so do nurseries), but OFSTED also require that we enable our mindees to develop in all learning skills in the same way that nurseries do.

Pinot - don't know anything about childminders in your part of the world, do they operate in the same way as UK?

Hey - the childminders are taking over the world!!

Hey, thanks all. Sounds like a childminder is just what I need. DD's speech was very slow - she didn't start to speak until she was 2.4 or thereabouts. She also does seem to learn very quickly from other children.

TP - I'm not sure about childminding here, I'll need to look into it now I've been reassured that it's a good idea. I think it's pretty much the same although I need to find out if it's as well regulated.

If you already have a nanny, why do you need a childminder - can't the nanny just take her to playgroups etc.

It is from 3 that kids benefit from group care, just get your nanny to take your dd to playgroups, etc.

Hi Bobby & Lewis,

BB - I'm worried that she's getting too much one on one time and not enough group time. Will a playgroup really offer the same as a day in a nursery with lots of other children? At playgroup me or the nanny would still be there and IME she won't go off and play.

Thanks Lewis, we've found some playgroups and also some weekly playdates.

If she won't go off and play if someone is there then it sounds as if it would be stressful for her to go to nursery. Going to playgroup is an ideal first step as it gets her used to being in the same room as other children, but still with the comfort of the nanny being there if it turns to custard, she needs to ask something etc.

I'd love to have a nanny for Bob rather than send him to nursery to pick up every cold, sneeze and other kids bad habit, worry about quality, quantity of food etc.

Honestly play dates and play school are fine - it was all our parents had, and we are all fine!

Toddler playdates in beautiful Sydney.....it sounds wonderful. I envy you and your dd, and your nanny.... Good luck.