Childcare for 6 month old

[recreationalcalpol]

DS is 6.5 months. I’ve been back at work FT since he was 16 weeks and the plan was for DH to be a SAHD until DS is one. However, I get the distinct impression that DH is not enjoying himself and has now been offered a job, which he wants to take.

I’ve been to see a few nurseries but DS isn’t really even sitting up properly yet and I get the feeling that he’s just a bit too young still. So do I get a nanny? Can I afford one? DH will be earning around £60k when he goes back, so will that cover it? How do I find one? What am I looking for? How long will it take before they can start?

I have literally no idea what I’m doing.

Oh, forgot to say, we are in NW London, but far out, like zone 5. Presume that will affect the cost.

What about a childminder? Are you looking at that option... they would care for children of varying ages in their home.

A nanny for one child is a very costly option. As a nanny myself I don't want to put you off that option but you need to be realistic on cost, it can be over £30k a year for a full time nanny.

I would go for a childminder in your position. But finding childcare is not just your job - your DH should be looking too, especially as he wants to go back to work earlier than planned. Which is fair enough but he shouldn't expect you to singlehandedly sort out the childcare for him.

Yes, I was thinking £30k sounded about right. To be fair, nurseries around here aren’t that much cheaper. Would a CM take them that young?

Why a childminder over a nanny, do you think?

The London average for a FT childminder is £284/week. You do the sums!
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/childcare-costs

I am a childminder that sent my child to Nursery previously.

If I had a 6 month old I would send to a childminder 2-3 Nursery.

The youngest I have taken is a month old.

Other than cost, is there any other benefit to a CM? As in, I guess the children have more social time with other children.

Well if money is no object, just get a nanny. They can look after your child when they're sick (most childminders wouldn't take them) so you'll have to take less time off work.

Time with other children is a bonus when older but not at 6-7 months really, and nanny can take baby to groups and things.

Something about a nanny that I don't like. Only as a personal preference, but having someone else looking for after DC in my home would make me feel uncomfortable. I don't even know how to explain why!
But dropping off and then picking up and going home together for the evening appeals more to me.

My background is working in nurseries, and I plan on using a childminder, or becoming one. A home from home environment rather than nursery.
In many baby rooms at nurseries it's a constant rotation of feeds, naps and nappies to sort out, there's not much time the adults can actually play with the babies!

Yes that's true. And if you have a day off work (sickness or annual leave) you won't have a day at home in peace if nanny and baby are around! I do enjoy my (very rare) days at home when DS is at nursery #sorrynotsorry

I would either go with a nanny or a childminder. Nurseries aren't great for a baby that young. It's a bit of institutional setting and even with the best will in the world it's not ideal for early development.

Benefit of a CM over a Nanny other than cost, is that you don't have someone coming to your home and you don't have employer responsibilities.

An advantage of a nanny is that you can tell them what to do, though you may want to let nanny decide on activities.

Some babies I have cared for have been very clingy and so may not have settled well in a group environment, though it's always hard to tell until it's actually tried. Sometimes a combination of things can work - one baby (now toddler) I care for has a combination of nursery and nanny.

Go and visit a few child-minders and see if you feel comfortable with any. Another advantage can be that you are sorted for childcare right through school and they can be more flexible on hours and supportive in emergencies.

It depends where you are in NW London Hourly rates close to Heathrow can be around £4 to £5 an hour, where as Northwood and Pinner are more like £8