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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Why did you choose a childminder or nursery?

26 replies

eastmidlandsnightnanny · 17/01/2011 12:42

Ok I need to start looking at childcare options for baby ready for end may when he will be 9mths old going back 4days a week but for first 8-10wks I will do 3 days and then husband will have a day off for 2-3wks so for first 12wks we will need 3 days a week then up to 4days after that time. Anyway I cant decide between a childminder or nursery (nanny not an option we couldnt afford one).

Going to visit both to try and help me decide.

we need childcare for 9hrs a day either 7.30-4.30 (ideal as I prefer to work 8-4 and also would get some time with baby after work) or 8-5.

So what made you choose a childminder over a nusery or vice versa?

Does anyone mix as this was another option 3 days with one and then when we need the extra day have it with the other?

thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Sidge · 18/01/2011 21:39

I have used both types of childcare for my girls (and still do).

Both have pros and cons, and whether they are pros or cons for you depends on you, your job, your child, your back-up plans and your local provision.

A good nursery is better than a crap CM and a crap nursery will be worse than a good CM. The tricky bit is finding a childcare provider whether nursery or CM that ticks all your boxes!

My advice would be to visit lots of places, both nurseries and CMs. Get cracking as some will have waiting lists.

Many of my reasons for wanting to use a nursery were similar to Maisiethemorningsidecat's - I am not in the sort of job where I can arrive late, leave early, take time off at short notice, pick any annual leave periods I want, etc, so I needed the "reliability" of a nursery. I don't have the ability to find alternative childcare easily if a CM were to be on leave, ill, or unavailable.

My childcare needs have changed slightly as they have got older - DD2 now goes to a CM after school, whilst DD3 is at nursery/preschool. The nursery is brilliant, even in the baby room (ie under 2s) they have activities, themed in the same way that thebody does with her mindees, a huge outdoor space that they use all day every day whatever the weather, lots of different areas so that the children can move around between activities, a meal room, a sleep room, bathroom and shower facilities, and lovely caring staff that range in age from school leavers to retirement age. There is very little staff turnover and most have lots of qualifications or are working towards them.

My CM is also brilliant, she is flexible, kind and caring with DD2 who has SN and is disabled, and I couldn't go to work without her Smile

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