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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

1 kid in day nursery, 1 kid school and childminder... anybody has experience?

23 replies

incognitotoday · 01/08/2006 10:45

Nanny has to go for various reasons I won't go into this time...

Anyhow now trying to work out alternate childcare solution.

DD is starting reception in September part-time going full time October. If I stay in current job, no issue as I can drop-off/pick-up and would put ds (2) into day nursery.

However, should I have to change jobs because of current company closing then I'm in a bind as obviously need to do something about dd before/after school and don't really want to put her in the breakfast/after school club as I think she's too young to be in school environment for 10 hours +

If using a cm ideally I'd like 1 minder to look after both kids, however, cm's in the area who pick up from that school only have 1 vacancy.

So has anybody had experience with dropping their kids of at different care solutions? Good or bad?

Am I making sense? A bit tired this morning

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Original poster

incognitotoday · 01/08/2006 11:00

somebody talk to me please

OP posts:

PiccadillyCircus · 01/08/2006 11:02

I don't have experience, but think that Bozza has a 5 year old at school amnd childminder and a 2 year old in nursery.

Original poster

incognitotoday · 01/08/2006 11:06

Thanks PC... BOZZA where are you?

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cece · 01/08/2006 11:08

I have a similar problem. New job and new area. DD needs dropping off at school DS doesn't no one who can drop off can take ds as well. Have found a cm near to new place of work for ds so will be droping off dd near home, then driving to work. Dropping off ds practically across the road. So both with cm. I have never thought to use a day nursery, not sure why but don't feel comfortable with them.

Original poster

incognitotoday · 01/08/2006 11:12

thanks for the insight cece

Haven't used day nursery so far, dd used to be with cm when she was little. I think ds might benefit from nursery to a) have same age playmates, b) wear him out completely and c) probably stimulate him to the degree he needs, as he's copying his 4.5 yo sister a lot so a very bright button if I may say so myself .

Still need to do my figures as well to see what would work out best financially... argh I really dislike having to sort out childcare

OP posts:

dmo · 01/08/2006 11:24

i'm a childminder and currently care for a 1yr old boy, his 4 yr old brother has been in nursery since baby born but mum wanted baby with a c/m
4 yr old due to start school in september but i cant fit him in before/after school so he has to go to school club
his mum has found dropping at nursery then dropping at mine ok as travel is on same route

Original poster

incognitotoday · 01/08/2006 11:27

thanks dmo

I'd be extremely lucky if I could find a cm who can drop/pick dd at/from school that's on the way to the nursery I could/would want to get ds in... no chance LOL. I'll be on zigzag course

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Uwila · 01/08/2006 12:12

Are you sure there are no minders with availability for both? Have you actually called them, and when they say no, ask if they know anyone who does? What if you had to go to a neighboring town? Have you put an ad in the local paper? An ad on netmums (not to be confused with mumsnet)?

There's no way I would even entertain the idea of two different childcare runs. I couldn't even do one and make it to work on time. In fact, I don't always make it here on time with a nanny. How pathetic is that?

fennel · 01/08/2006 12:16

could DH/DP do some of it? we have two childcare/school runs and most days DP does one, me the other.

3 different sounds too much effort really, I would keep looking for someone/something which would fit 2 of them at least.

Original poster

incognitotoday · 01/08/2006 12:26

Uwila, oh I'm phoning... good thing boss doesn't check phone bill ;). Got another one left to call with 2 vacancies but constantly engaged. Problem is that cm has 2 schools listed and obviously can only pick up from one... argh.

Can't put it in local paper/shops yet because I haven't notified nanny yet. Yes I know... I'm a wimp!

Fennel I only have 2 kids, I think with three I'd bite the bullet and stay home instead of trying to coordinate child care!

OP posts:

Uwila · 01/08/2006 12:29

You can put it in the local paper with an e-mail address unknown to nanny. Or a phone number unknown to nanny.

dmo · 01/08/2006 12:38

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

SlightlyFamiliarPeachyClair · 01/08/2006 13:02

At one point I had one nursery, one school and one CM. Now have 2 school, one cm / nursery.

Cm collects from school, I pick up from house. Makes it much easier.

Takes organisation but once you get into a routine it's fine, it really is. You'd be amazed how quickly you get into the pattern of it.

SlightlyFamiliarPeachyClair · 01/08/2006 13:05

(By colects from school, I mean collects the youngest so i drop all kids at same point before going off to Uni. Really does help if you can organise that)

There may be non-school based after school clubs, some of the Nurseries round here do them, which provides a non-school environment.

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 01/08/2006 13:30

have you been put off nannies for good then? or is it that with dd starting reception you want to cut the cost a bit? I think 2 drop offs/pick-ups is do-able. and in actual fact you'll have to do 2 in either of your scenarios - either dd to school and ds to nursery (in current job) or dd to cm and ds to nursery. (in different job). I think the main thing is to plan your timings and your routes well

Original poster

incognitotoday · 01/08/2006 14:10

SlightlyFamiliarPeachyClair... ah yes logistics... thankfully one of my forte

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat ... partly a cost thing especially with dd starting school.

Just spoke to a cm with 2 vacancies and meeting her on Friday. She's picking up at another school atm but didn't seem too perturbed about picking up at dd's future school... here's hoping... everything crossed that we 'click'. Will probably take kids to 'test' her . Thing is I have no clue about her charges yet but hey I guess I cover that when I get there

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Bozza · 02/08/2006 09:26

incognito I read this yesterday and wanted to post on it but somehow the work server wouldn't let me.

I have 5yo DS with a CM and 2yo DD at nursery. DS went to the nursery from being a baby and then when he was 3.5 DD joined him although for the most part they were in seperate rooms as befitted their age. DS stayed at the day nursery until it was time for him to start reception (ie no state nursery). As there is no breakfast/after school club the only real option for us was a CM. But I didn't really want to take DD out of her nursery where she was settled so we decided to do it this way.

The CM is en route to the nursery - we just have to turn off up her cul-de-sac. In fact home, school, CM and nursery are all within 3/4 mile of each other and it is in our village so no traffic jams. The usual pattern is that DH does drop off and I do pick up. I pick DS up first and then DD second because DS is easier in and out of the car etc. From arriving at the CM to getting home usually takes me about 20 mins - although I also have a 35-40 min commute first. I think if the two were in one place it would be be nearer 10-15 mins. So it is adding 5-10 mins on to my day. But probably less onto DH's since he generally just drops DS on the doorstep and goes.

The CM has had one day off poorly last week and one day off poorly this week and it has been far easier to "place" just DS than it would have been DS and DD. Also she has taken 3 weeks hols in term time and we have been able to get round a lot of this by a combination of early/late starts/finishes, DH working at home and play dates which just would not have been feasible with DD to consider as well.

cece · 02/08/2006 12:10

Well having said I had found a CM for ds, I now think I don't. She was reaaly off with me today when I phoned to check up her ofsted report and references.... So now don't feel happy leaviong him with her!

So now meeting a different one tomorrow!

Original poster

incognitotoday · 02/08/2006 12:31

Hi Bozza, thanks Hadn't even thought about placing the kids if cm is sick LOL too much on my mind.

cece... poor you, good luck, hope the other cm 'clicks'.

I'm seeing one on Friday who might be able to take both kids. Then again going back to Bozza's scenario... ah decisions how I hate them. Why does childcare have to be such a dilemma?

Still not having any idea what's happening workwise doesn't help... probably know next week, though if my boss hasn't come to a decision by then I just have to act assuming I don't have the job anymore as he's not back till end August and then it's cutting it tight... double argh

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scotlou · 02/08/2006 12:54

I do a similar thing 2 days a week - dd (4) attends private day nursery 6 miles from home. ds (6) attends either school and after school club (6 miles in opposite direction!) or holiday club (12 miles in opposite direction!) I work 30 miles from home (as does dh). We try to share drop off / pick ups, but as dh is frequently travelling I often hav eto do it myself. It works OK but I am always late for work - and soemtimes have to leave 10 mins early to ensure I get both dd and ds collected before the 6p.m. deadline!

cece · 02/08/2006 13:00

Well I am going to see one this afternoon for DD - pick up drop off at school.

Then tomorrow I am going to meet a different one for DS. Hoping she is a bit more relaxed about me checking out references, ofsted etc!

Oh the stress. I am only working day and half in order to keep my sanity! It seems to be having the opposite effect!

I didn't know I was born before. Had same cm for 5 years, recommended by 2 friends who had already used her for 5 years each!

Original poster

incognitotoday · 02/08/2006 13:36

scotlou... that's quite a treck you've got to do there!

cece... good luck

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Bozza · 02/08/2006 14:45

scotlou sounds much more tricky than my scenario. Also I only work 3 days so have 2 days where I only have to do the school run - and that is walking distance for my 2yo.

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