Help me decide on childminder or nanny

[ConfusedAboutChildcareDecision]

I am returning to work in September (4 days/week) and panicking (sleepless nights) about childcare for my 5 year old (starting in Reception in September) and 18 month old. Money is an issue. I'm in London.

I've looked into various options (nannies, nursery, au pairs) and can't work out what do. I'm talking to two nannies at the moment:

1. Nanny recommended to me by a friend's nanny. The nanny is young (22) and has 3 years experience with children the same age as mine. I've not yet checked references or had a trial. Based on one interview so far she seems lovely, mature, responsive to things I'm concerned about eg safety on the road (I like my 5 year old to be beside me at all times by busy roads and I know parents who are more relaxed). She is not Ofsted registered but says she will do that if we want her to be. We would and I've looked into the process, have located courses to suggest and we would contribute most of the associated costs.
2. Highly experienced nanny/part-time school teacher who has completed long term posts and through an agency short term posts. She talked about her approach to childcare in a way that I appreciate. She only accepts cash, says she is self-employed and will provide evidence but should this worry me? Again I've not checked references or arranged a trial.

Or, I am waiting to hear from a childminder with her own children at my DD's new school to see if she has spaces.

Or I back track and don't return to work for a while.

I'm used to using my head not my gut instinct to make decisions. Apart from being a mother I have no means to judge quality.

It's such an important decision.

Nanny is so horribly expensive. Unless you're earning six figures really not worth it.

Thank you. I hadn't considered the full impact of sickness on a cm arrangement.

Nanny 1's gross salary would be in the low £20,000s.

We've used CMs and I would go with a CM every time if possible.

The CMing trade has been professionalised in a way Nannying hasn't, since OFSTED started inspecting CMs and the training and career development opportunities that go along with that. A good / outstanding CM is a childcare professional, not just someone who likes looking after DCs. They understand about child development and are aiming to provide a nurturing and educational environment.

Of course there are some outstanding nannies too and many choose to be OFSTED inspected but bing a nanny hasn'r been professionalised in quite the same way IME.

If a CM has other DCs that's a huge bonus IMO as it's great for my DCs to be in the company of other DCs for their social development and also as they enjoy it.

I was looked after by nannies and au pairs and it was quite a lonely experience. I have also worked as a nanny, many years back. I think there can be a tendency for nannies & parents to see the home as the workplace and to spend an awful lot of time there, with only the mindees (so not also friends over for tea etc) particularly with school age DCs. This doesn't have to be the case of course - but IME it is often the default.

About CMs and holiday / sickness - all the CMs we've had, have worked in small groups, and some have also had their spouses / adult children OFSTED registered, so they have cover in an emergency.
We've never had any missed childcare because of their sickness etc. We have had to keep the DCs off when they've been sick though.

Confused - that is a very low amount, is that was nanny has agreed to? As an idea a standard 5 day nanny wage in London is usually £35,000-40,000 gross. That's half the wage yet only one day less.

Thank you.

The pay is based on a £9/hour net.

Nannies I have spoken to have stated rates ranging from £9-12 net/hour. Nanny 1 is at the low end. I've spoken to the referees and they sing her praises.

Seems to me you want nanny 1 so go with your instincts :)

Go for it but if you're only offering £9 per hour net she might not stay long as that's a good way below the going rate.

I haven't read all the responses but just wanted to say from reading your OP I think your gut instinct is telling you Nanny number 1.

£9nett tho convert to gross is a bloody good wage for a 22yr to earn who isn't a qualified nanny

Sure she won't go anywhere. She won't get £10

A good / outstanding CM is a childcare professional, not just someone who likes looking after DCs. They understand about child development and are aiming to provide a nurturing and educational environment.

It is rare to find an unqualified nanny these days. She's been lucky to find work with the OP.

Professional Nannies train hard, often higher qualified than most child minders and is not simply a case of liking the care role of children. We desperately wish that there was a governing body to regulate and raise the professional standard of nannies. Ofsted however are a bloody joke.. and anyone relying on ofsted 's say so of a childcare provider are very much lulled into a false sense of security imo.

I think I want to be convinced that nanny 1 is the right choice - obviously v difficult to achieve based on the amount of information you will receive remotely!

I do appreciate everything you've said.

Tbh I'm back to wondering if my youngest should go to a nursery and then try to find a good as cm for term time and deal with holidays when we come to them.

Ps the nursery doesn't have space for all days. May be it would be too much for my little one to have two types of childcare. And too much for me to expect to find suitable care from one provider for both children outside of school and nursery.

Sorry, this is now morphing into a brain dump

confused - my ds went to nursery from 4 months old, from 5 months he's done 2 nanny days and 2 nursery days. He's happy with both, no signs of not dealing with a mixture (no staff turnover at the nursery though, thats a massive contributor I guess).