what childcare options do you use with two kids

[moonprayer]

We have recently just had a new baby and I am still on maternity leave. But i start to think of the childcare options when I get back to work. We have a two-year-old. I was wondering what people normally do when they have two kids at home? Do you normally send the toddler to nurseries and hire a nanny to take care of the baby at home? Or just hire a nanny to take care both at home? Or hire an au pair? The problem for us is, both me and my husband don't really want someone staying in our house. It just feels quite strange. In that case, what would be the most cost-efficient option? Thank you very much for any advice.

Personally I sent both baby and toddler to nursery (from 6 months old). What did you do with your eldest (or did you not go back to work in between?) Once your eldest is three the cost will go down anyway.

I don't think an au pair is suitable for full day care for a baby on a regular basis - they aren't qualified, probably not experienced with babies and are limited I think to about 20 hours a week. So if you want care in your own home, needs to be a nanny - and I think most these days don't want to be live-in nannies. Hiring nanny for baby and sending toddler to nursery would be your most expensive option (unless you would only send toddler once they were three and just for their 5 sessions a week they get for free) - either get nanny for both or sent both to nursery or childminder.

What are the constraints?
Think of things like start/finish times of the childcare each day, which days of the week, do they vary?
Do you want someone else to live at your home - sounds like you have already decided NO to that one but what about someone who comes daily?
In a years time, what will you want then? Anything different to now, for example early years education?

What childcare arrangements did you have prior to your maternity leave? Were you happy with that arrangement?

An au pair is not suitable for stull-time sole charge care.

A nanny is probably the best/easiest solution, but also probably the most expensive. A nanny will care for both children, there is no need for nursery and a nanny, unless that is your preference.

A nursery or childminder will probably be slightly cheaper than a nanny, but it will depend on the area you're in.

For two kids that age, a nanny seems the more cost effective. There is not much sense sending one to the nursery and still paying for a nanny for the baby

Both of mine went to full time nursery from 6 months - no idea if a nanny would have been cheaper but I doubt it. Au pair is not there for childcare.

The usual consensus is that nannies only become cheaper for 3+ children, especially once you factor in all the extras (employers in, pension contributions, running payroll etc).

Nursery or childminder would be the cheapest option, but it depends if you would prefer having your baby cared for at home.

Nanny for both. We did. Was most expensive but best for us.

In the same boat and think a nanny will be the most likely option. The flexibility, given London commutes, will be best I think. The thought of having to get almost three year old to school, then youngest to nursery, then on train to London plus collect them seems too stressful.