please help I need childcare advice

[saycheeeeeese]

Hope this is the right place to put this.

I work 3 days and my parents look after DD (18mo) 2 days and my DH one as he does a 4 day week.

His work are moving to a 5 day wk In October when DD is 2 and my parents can't do an extra day so we need to arrange childcare. I feel a bit sad about it because I've never left her with anyone but family, don't get me wrong I think nurseries and childminders are a great thing but it's just my own insecurities make me think she might get scared ir upset with strangers (she's a veey sociable wee thing so I know im being stupid)

So....do nurseries or childminders consider looking after a child for a day? At 2 yo would she be better in a nursery anyway too prepare herr for nursery school next year

Yes they do... There are a couple of children at my dd's nursery that only do one day a week. I'd go and visit a few now and ask about waiting lists, some of them can be quite long but you should have plenty of time before October.

Thanks Carolra, so do you think at 2yo she would be better in a nursery? I always said I would prefer a CM, just a personal preference but my DH thinks at this age a nursery would prepare her better for nursery school next autumn IYSWIM

My dd is only 15 mo so I don't really know... she loves nursery, but she's there more or less full time... I didn't want to use a CM because they're pretty much the same price in my area and because I work full time with little flexibility, I didn't want to have to deal with a CM having holidays/sick time etc, its easier for me that she's in nursery and we're lucky that she settled in really well.

Heya!
I don't know whether nurseries would consider taking the baby only for a day...when I asked myself the same question I decided against it in the end as a friend of mine (uni student) had the day free and took care of the baby for me as a proper babysitter. Still now my baby adores her!

I wish I had a friend who could do that but all my friends work :(

Might start ringing around and pricing CMs.

Thanks both.

some nurseries will take for a minimum amount of sessions (some are 2 days) it can be very hard for a 2 year old to intergrate when they are only there for 1 day - the others are there together all/most of week and someone who is there for only 1 day will always be an 'outsider' and it will take longer to settle, especially if she is used to more 1-2-1 the rest of the week, the noise and bustle of nursery and the lack of 1-2-1 attention might be difficult for her.
Even in a cm setting 1 day a week is difficult for settling but probably better than a nursery.
I would say go for a childminder until you are ready to put her in for more days at nursery...

Most childminders and nurseries will do one day per week.

Personally I would use a childminder.

I think the 'getting ready for nursery' thing is a bit of a red herring tbh. The idea of sending a 2 year old to nursery so she can 'get ready' for nursery school at 3, which 'gets her ready' for reception at 4, which 'gets them ready' for proper school at 5, is slightly mad imo. Soon we'll be putting them in from newborn because god forbid they're 'not ready' for pre-pre school at 1!

And don't forget, you're only a stranger on meeting, if you pick a CM, they will soon be best buddies!

outraged that made me laugh thanks for putting it in perspective :)

Ok, I might start looking for a CM, try and get her settled before DH actually starts his bew shifts. My mum was a CM so I think that's why that has always been my preference, she was like an aunty to her mindees and I'd like someone like that for DD, it's just a bit of a pull on my heartstrings because I thought we weren't going to have to go down this road BUT I know I'm just being PFB and she will be fine :)

Outraged I agree! I'm not sending my ds to preschool, I'm a cm he can stay home with me. Have lots of people saying but what about getting him ready for school. That's what reception is for! Glad someone agrees with me.

I mind children one a week. Did take longer to settle though, but they are fine now.

Im in NI we don't have reception, they go straight into primary 1 from nursery school!

I am a CM and I have children til they're off to full time school ... then they come back in the holidays.

1 day a week can make it harder for them to settle.

very true outraged - when you put it like that ........... :)

op -sure you can find a cm for one day,can you be flexible which day,as in do your M&D mind what 2 days they have? may make finding a cm easier if can be flexible with your one day

I also think the getting ready thing is rubbish..BUT i do think over 2's really enjoy the socialisation aspect of nursery, especially if they are in a room that has quite a narrow age range eg 2-3 (which most 2 year olds are) it can be really beneficial. All the children are their age, all the toys and activities are set for their age group. My three really enjoyed and learnt a lot from their time at nursery.

However, I don't think one day works at nursery (we tried it with DS2 and it was too unsettling). In the end we swapped to 2 mornings - but that does tend to be more expensive.

CM tend also to be less flexible on holidays, but if your family can cover CM holidays and sick then you may want to wait til your LO can go to nursery school to socialise.

I think P1 is the equivalent of our reception year, although the school year and intake runs slightly differently to english school. I think you run July-July and we run September -September.

Weirdly most of my mindees come for 1 day and are cared for the rest of the time by family.