childminder or creche?

[newmummy4]

Hi, if you had the chance to set up as a childminder or to run a creche which would you choose?

I have been approached my a friend who works for large company and they want to put a creche in place and they would like me to set it up but had been looking into childminding and now feel confused in which direction to go. Have worked in nurseries and nannied for over 12years so def fancy a new challenge. Thanks x

I am a cm and love it. Couldn't imagine being in a crèche/nursery. I like to get out and about sometimes at a moments notice.

CM is great but not a regular dependable income. If you need a regular wage then running the crèche would be likely to offer more security, and it is nice to be wanted!

Also, there would be nothing to stop you trying out the crèche, and you could still then become a CM if you didn't enjoy it.

Company workplace nursery - who would own that? Would you just be running it or owning? Would there be enough demand from workers at the company?

Running a nursery is more risky as it involves more investment. In managerial role you are supernumerary so are not working directly with the children, though you may sit in with them at times.

More profit potential I expect though also greater risk as costs more to setup.

If the workplace doesn't have an existing nursery onsite then look into how much planning/prep has already been done by the company as if they don't already have something similar it's a big investment financially. And do they mean crèche (2 hours max) or nursery setting? As different ofsted regs apply.

I worked for a public sector employer who decided an onsite nursery would be a great idea. Except it would have meant ferrying children up and down a multistory building and trying to have a controlled access area, outside play (roof if building was suggested at one point) and in the end the idea went nowhere. A crèche would have been easier but workers need childcare for longer than 2 hours a day.