Dream job dilema

[londonbokkie]

Hello all,

I have managed to land my dream job while on maternity leave. This is fantastic but now I need to sort out childcare.

I need the care to be reliable, ideally I don't want to miss any work in the first three months because of childcare issues (including sickness). What should I choose? I have some savings so I can afford a nanny for a year or 2. My daughter will be 9 months when I go back.

What would you recommend?

Nanny. My two were very ill over winter - if they were in nursery or cm they'd be sent home. My nanny also got ill but rarely.
You cannot avoid taking time off for sickness - sometimes you just have to. Eg what if you're sick? Would you go into work? I'm just trying to say don't set yourself an implausible goal.

Thanks for the quick response. I am leaning more towards a nanny too.

You are right I need to be realistic in my goal, perhaps I should have said my aim is to be absent no more often than someone without children for the first three months (of course if I am sick I will stay off).

I understand what you mean. Hopefully it'll work out that way!

Definitely go for a nanny if you can afford it! Not just for reliability but also because it helps you get out the door to work on time if you don't have to also get your dd dressed and dropped off en route as well. But do try to have a back-up plan for emergencies e.g. if the nanny gets sick, can your partner or other family member step in for a day in an emergency?

It's is more likely your child will be ill more then your nanny

Ie if use a cm or nursery and child is ill then they won't have them and you will need to take time off

Children also at nurseries seem to come down with more s&d/ colds and coughs then with nannies as so many children and anything spreads like wildfire with warmth and close contact

A nanny will look after sick children - tho if the nanny is ill then you may need to take time off but rare - plus many nannies will try and help out each other so her friend may be able to help - or nanny will come in and have a quiet day on the sofa

Also having a nanny means you just get yourself up and dressed - compared to nursery / cm - where you need to get children up and dressed and drop off BEFORE you go to work

A nanny will also do children's nursery duties ie their washing and cleaning and cook healthy meals for them and often stock up freezer so you don't need to cook at weekends

Hi,

Thanks for all the advice. I think we will go with a nanny, however, my husband pointed out that childminders are OFSTED inspected and seem in general to have more qualifications.

In your experience in general are childminders a bit better skilled than nannies?

Any advice on key questions I should ask a nanny or any qualifications /registrations to look out for (e.g. should I get someone who is already OFSTED registered or just someone who is willing to register)?

Thanks again for all the help thinking this through. Now back to unpacking and cleaning (new baby, new house, new job - I am really hoping 2014 is quiet and uneventful).

Overall I would say a nanny is the most reliable form of childcare, (although you do have the issue of holidays that you wouldn't have with a nursery).

With regard to Ofsted, what does your DH think an Ofsted inspector will notice that he won't? Who knows best what your DD needs, you or an Ofsted inspector who's never met her before? What's gained from being inspected by Ofsted?

What qualifications would he like the person to have? Are qualifications more important than experience/good references? I wouldn't worry too much about 'in general', I would be concerned with the specific person that is looking after my child. Have a look at the childminders and nannies available to you, not what happens 'in general'.

My nanny used to work in a nursery and has childcare qualifications.

What exactly do you want from childcare? A baby and toddler needs love, routine and interaction. Not a formal educations