Part time Nanny or Childminder - is this realistic

[finallynaptime]

I work 1-2 days, usually Mondays 9-4. Have tried nursery and grandparents, neither arrangement really worked for us, now just starting to look for a nanny or childminder. Completely new to it; would I be able to find someone part time like this? Or is it too small an amount of time? Where do I start with looking? I live in Loughton, Essex, by the way

You might have trouble finding someone to commit to the second day. Plenty of people are trying to fit part-time days together though so a 1 day job is defnitely feasible.

What's your budget? How old are your DC? How many of them are there? What are you looking for in a childcarer? Why did nursery/grandparents not work?

Also think about your location of work and whether childcare there is an option, as in dropping your child(ren) there. Obviously that doesn't apply if any are school aged.

I used to mind a family that travelled 40mins to get to me, as then the commute to work was broken up.

If you work in Herts then let me know :-)

Hmm good things to consider, thank you
frakkinnakkered

One 19 month old,

budget, I was thinking £7/8 for childminder or £9/10 an hour for nanny/nannyshare depending on type of care. Haven't however researched this, is just a guess, feel free to correct!

It could work with 1 full day decent reliable care I think. Good point that lots of people must have 4 days.

Grandparents (PIL) currently have DD 1 day per week 10-4, but they find this quite a long day, so wouldn't want to ask them for more, whereas it's not quite long enough for me to get my work done. Also, they have other commitments, their own parents ill they want to go visit etc, so think they are finding the commitment a bit stifling and would prefer it on a more casual basis. So I'm thinking it would be better for them to be the back up/2nd day, which isn't always needed. Sorry, very long explanation there.

The nursery wasn't very good, didn't do the settling in very nicely and often seemed over ratio. Long waiting list for other nursery I've been recommended here and bit put off by experience with the first one.

My ideal from the childcarer is for them to take her out to similar activities I do, provide healthy meals, get her to take a decent nap and have a caring/interested relationship with her. DH, though has a strong preference for a CM because he he thinks she'd benefit from being around other children and as I understand it, you don't get so much of a say in what they do during the day. So, a bit unsure on that point.

kkey21 Also a good point, although some of the work can more easily be done from home, so I think childcare near home is going to be my best option, also means I can work during what would be the travelling time on those days

I am a CM and I take children for 1 or 2 days a week as well as full time. I would want you to commit to your 2 days and pay for them though I'm afraid.

If you work from home a nanny might not be a great idea, unless you're happy for them to spend most of the day out the house or shut yourself in your office room! They can work but it might be unsettling for your DC. On the other hand a nanny might be more open to ad hoc work, sometimes 1 day a week, sometimes 2.

Your budget for both seems fine - nannies tend to get more expensive the fewer hours they do, kind of as compensation for not having the security of a full-time job. Also on the money side if you want to use childcare vouchers or tax credits you'll need someone OFSTED registered, which means a CM might be simpler.

Perfectly sensible to have GPs as back up or second day. It simplifies things if you can call on them occasionally. I only asked because if you'd had a bug falling out then it's nit viable for them to be they occasional 2nd day and then you'd be more stuck!

Frakkinnakkered, great advice, you sound so sensible.

Yes! I'd forgotten about the childcare vouchers, we do have acces to them. Do nannies tend to see it as offputting if a potential employer wanted to register for them?

On the first point, I tend to be out of the house a lot of the day with dd as we go to a playgroup in the morning, come back, lunch sleep, then either a playdate or errands, so hopefully, yes, a nanny could do similar. However good point that dd may not like it if I am in the house and ignoring her. DH said the same thing. Although he does work from home sometimes and just shuts himself in to the office room.

HSMM Good to know that is possible with a CM; do your part time mindees struggle more to settle in? Nice website btw!

Hi
As a cm for 3+ years, I have so far not had a 5 day child, they have varied from 1 to 4 days with 3 being the most common. Childminders average £3.50 but up £7 in London. Each vary as to what they include in cost (meals, trips, extras) so check tha before comparing on price. We have a car and are always out and about each day at groups and countryside. Go for an 'outstanding' childminder, even if they charge more. Also an 'accredited' childminder can be used instead of a preschool when age 3+4 for 15 hours for free!!
You'll be unlikely to find one to do adhoc care and would have to sign a contract committing to 2 days if you occassionaly need 2 and pay even when you don't use the second day. (It is the cm's wages, they have to be book up the days as can only have 3 toddlers - after expenses we are lucky to make £5per hour)

Children that come 1 day a week sometimes find it a little harder, but certainly no major problems. All but one of my mindees are part time. (Glad you like the website - my amateur attempt)