Advice please- what would you do re childcare for a 1 & 2 year old?

[kindlegeek]

At the moment I have a lovely childminder who has the babies 3 days a week whilst I work. Though in September I am going full time and she does not want to do full time, so I am looking for someone else. Though the biggest problem I am having is the costs!

The cheapest childminder I found would be £400 a week, and I provide everything. And the highest I found was £700 a week for the both!! Now I would go for quality over price all the time, But even £400 a week amounts to £1600 a month and I'm still paying nappies/ breakfast/lunch/ dinner.

I'm a single parent so I am entitled to tax credits at a maximum of £300 a week.

Do you think it is worth looking for a nanny? Can you use tax credits with a nanny? Are nannies looking for well off people who can provide them with a car ect? As that is definitely not me! I live in a small flat at the moment. I live in London by the way.

Any advice? Oh the 2 year old will be 3 in January and entitled to the 15 hours free nursery care. So that will help. I am really confused and thinking that I will not be able to do my NQT year because of the costs.

Any advice or information about different childcare would be greatly appreciated.

It is great that your mum has been able to help you. Pity that won't continue as finding care for 5 days is going to be costly and you may need several people providing that care.

Hope meeting the other childminder goes well. Maybe they would do food and maybe they would do all 5 days.

I don't think your situation is impossible. I know a couple of childminders who do term times only, they have older DC of their own and like getting to spend the holidays doing stuff with them, without any toddlers in tow. Have you tried advertising at your eldest DC's school? Theoretically a childminder who had DC there, might want to do drop off, pick up and mind the younger 2 during the day.

Thank you, I hope it goes well too.

I never even thought to ask the school, I have been reading the adverts, never thought to put one up asking for cms to contact me. On Monday I will ask, wonder if they charge? Thanks for the idea. I'm staying positive, something will arise!