Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Paid childcare

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

Flip

Original poster

Help! Need some advice re possible childcare options once dd1 starts school

10 replies

flumpsy · 13/04/2011 16:30

Hi. I have two girls, aged 2.5 and 4.5. Currently I have a nanny who works full time but is not resident. DD1 starts school in September and I think dd2 would be very isolated ( and will miss her sister too much) on her own. I work full time in the NHS which involves 3 11 hour days and one school hour day.
I need 4 day care for dd2 and 3 days of drop off and pick ups from dd1 school as well. I thought the best option would be a childminder, but I can't seem to find one who picks up from her school.
I am at a loss what to do for childcare.So far I can only think of the following options:
Option 1: keep nanny but I think this is wrong for C
Option 2: Full time nursery for dd2 and to employ a " mother's help" style person to come in at 7.30,get them ready and take dd1 to school and dd2 to nursery and then to pick them up and give them tea at home
Option 3: Offer nanny a part time job which I know that she can't afford to accept
Option 4:Find a nanny share but I don't see any of those outside of London
I have no idea what to do, am panicking now and need some mumsnet advice!
I have no idea how to find a mother's help either
Please help
Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

HSMM · 13/04/2011 16:41

It's worth asking the school of they know any childminders who pickup/drop off there. DD2 could go to a childminder/nursery anyway, if you end up needing separate care for each child. You could always offer your nanny the part time post, as you never know if her circumstances may make that possible for some reason.

Original poster

flumpsy · 13/04/2011 16:50

Thanks for your help. The school gave me one number who can't work after 5 and they didn't have any other numbers.

OP posts:

Bramshott · 13/04/2011 16:52

When you say you can't find a childminder who picks up from DD1's school, have you called them and asked them or are you just going from the information published on the childcare website?

Bramshott · 13/04/2011 16:53

Or, if you can afford to keep on your nanny, would your DD2 be eligible for a free pre-school place soon in any case?

fairimum · 13/04/2011 18:57

Could you see if anyone local with similar aged child to you dd2 would be interested in sharing your nanny?

Danthe4th · 14/04/2011 11:55

I would ask the school to put a notice in their newsletter, there may be more childminders around than they know of. Also put an ad in childcare.co.uk and gumtree.

frakyouveryverymuch · 14/04/2011 12:29

Why do you think having a nanny wouldn't be good for DD2 still?

She might miss her sister but she'll also be able to get more focused attention and do lots of different activities in the community to help her make friends. Plus the continuity of a nanny may help her adjust to being without her sister. Obviously it's financially less attractive for you though....

Advertise for a nanny share on netmums, on your MN local board and in your local paper.

Split hours for a mother's help type person isn't that attractive.

ichangedmymindagain · 21/04/2011 22:45

I nanny for a lad who is 3yrs old , his sister started full time school in sept and he doesnt miss her at all . We keep ours days busy , with both activities that takes us out of the home and home based activities that allow him to have all my time , which being one of 3 he loves , so he gets the best of both world , one to one attention and then fun with his silbings when they get home . Also this term alone i have had the other two home for both sickness and teacher training days .

cece · 21/04/2011 22:51

I agree if you can afford it keep the nanny and sign the youngest up for some free nursery places when she is old enough.

It is no different than a mum staying home with her youngest surely. I go out with mine to playgroups and other activities.

It would also be great for when your eldest starts getting all the new bugs from school and starts getting ill and needs a day off school - stops you have to take time off.

nannynick · 22/04/2011 07:16

Would you be making your nanny redundant? If your nanny has been with you for some time, 2 years or more I think, keep in mind that redundancy pay kicks in. A cost to consider.

Why is staying with the current arrangement not right? You work an 11 hour day, so you could be wanting childcare for a 12 hour day - would that fit with other childcare providers opening hours?

Flip