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Paid childcare

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

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Original poster

CM, nursery or just cope ??

8 replies

littlemermaid · 10/07/2006 11:13

I'm a SAHM with a 21 month old DS and 6 months pregnant. I have a few problems with my pregnancy and now need weekly monitoring at the Midwife Clinic and local hospital. I'm finding it harder to get involved with physical play with my DS and things like soft play and swimming are out of the question. I suppose my query is would a childminder be able to help me out a few hours a week, one pm and one am or similar to give me a break and time to attend appointments or would they need a bigger committment than that ? As it's not a work situation I can be flexible, different days each weeks if it would help.

I have no family nearby and live in a rural location, there is only one nursery near here and they feel DS's age is a problem. He is physically big for his age, not yet potty trained and has few words, but is a lovely caring boy and understands everything. They say he is too big for the baby room but I'm unhappy with him going straight in with the older toddlers who are 21/2 - 4. We went for one settling in session and I just had a bad vibe about it.

I'd be grateful for any input from CM's would this be something you would do or is it not financially worth your while, should I just try and carry on as I am, I know it's not forever, it just feels like it ! Thanks

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Yafta · 10/07/2006 11:25

I would be worried about a nursery who commented on my ds's size as a means of selection. If he's 21 months he should be in the baby room ffs. As for not potty trained, of course he's not! None of them are at that age. It doesn't sound the right place for your child.

I would ring up a few childmninders and ask them whether they could help. What you are asking for is not unusual. Good luck!

HenniPenni · 10/07/2006 11:26

I would be happy to do it and I'm sure that lots other minders would too,however equally there will be some who can't. Why don't you give some a ring and have a chat?

frankieb · 10/07/2006 12:09

Hi
I think him going to a CM would be good for him and you. I'm a reg CM and take children for short times to give a break to parents.
Ask around and see if you can find one recommended to you by other Mums, but just trust your instincts too.
If he goes to a CM with children of his age you will see his speach come on in no time as he talks with the other kids. My little boy whos just 2 loves being around the others and misses them at weekends!
Good luck

dmo · 10/07/2006 12:10

i would do that also
sounds ok
you could use a cm on a temp contract if she is worried it will stop her getting a full timer
i premuse that when babys born cm will not be needed

chloesmama · 10/07/2006 12:14

Hi littlemermaid,

Go with your gut instinct, you didnt like the nursery so dont go with that, you know your child and your heart led you. Where do you live? Maybe people on here from that area could help, either by providing specific details if they have space available for short term care.

Original poster

littlemermaid · 10/07/2006 12:16

Thanks for all the replies, I thought the nursery was a bit odd to be honest. Will call the council this afternoon and get the list of childminders in the area, I think I'd be happier with him in a home setting and frankieb, I appreciate your point about his speech, could be just what he needs. Just wanted to suss out the situation and didn't want to waste CM's time. Thanks all

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Original poster

littlemermaid · 10/07/2006 12:21

Chloesmama, just saw your message, I'm in Scotland, in Perthshire. Thanks for your comments re the nursery, I feel better now, they made me feel like over protective mummy, but I've worked with small children in the past and didn't feel happy with the set up !

OP posts:

chloesmama · 10/07/2006 12:24

I was planning on going back to work when DD wasnt even born, so i went visiting nurseries etc and the one i thought would be fantastic (due to price) was all wrong for me, i just wanted to scrub it clean (ok i was pregnant and obsessed with cleaning) but it smelt of disinfectant but still managed to look dirty! I was gutted when i didnt feel right in there, i compared it to buying my house (strange but stick with me) when you go house hunting you walk into it and you look past the decor etc and get an overwhelming feeling that its "the one" well treat all childcare (nursery/childminder) like this and you cant go far wrong...BTW i ended up being a childminder as a result!!!

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