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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

Help me choose?

19 replies

YellowEllis · 28/10/2020 20:44

Option 1 - Nursery
Really high rated
Includes all meals
2 minute walk from my work
Slightly more expensive
Bigger groups, less one on one

Option 2 - Childminder
Highly recommend locally
Doesn't include meals
Right next to our house but half hour away from my work
Slightly cheaper
More one on one, smaller groups

He's 15 months. It'll only be for one day a week (I know it'll be harder for him to settle this way but it's all we can afford and all we need) I really don't know where to send him.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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frankiefirstyear · 28/10/2020 20:54

I'd probably go with nursery (so if there's an issue you can be there quickly if he's ill etc) and switch if he doesn't settle in a nursery setting. His character will maybe push you towards an option that you think he'd like better though. In which case I'd go with your gut feeling.

Mumtumwobble · 28/10/2020 20:57

Option 2. But I’m biased because I’ve had the most wonderful childminder who we have just left after 7 years when dd started school.

Original poster

YellowEllis · 28/10/2020 21:10

Well an instant 50/50 split isn't helpful

Yes I do like the idea of only being minutes away, but then I hear people sing childminders praises and think maybe he'd be better off. I just don't know. He's never been away from us really, and growing up during lockdowns he's barely interacted with other people, no baby groups etc. It's hard to imagine how we'll get on without wanting to cry (me not him )

OP posts:

nannynick · 28/10/2020 21:39

Option 2 - you are less likely to change your home than your work.
You don't want to have a nursery 1/2 hour from home near your current work, to then change work and no-longer be near.
Also childminder may be able to take/collect from school in 3-4 years time.

nannynick · 28/10/2020 21:43

Another factor to consider... someone else taking/collecting him. Father, Grandparents etc are far more likely to collect him from somewhere local to your home than somewhere a distance away.

Original poster

YellowEllis · 28/10/2020 21:47

Both very good points, that I hadn't thought of, thank you Nannynick.

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 28/10/2020 21:49

2 as always better to have near home as

nothing worse then taking tired child on long journey home/falling asleep

If near home and day off work can still go

Others can pick up if near home

SMaCM · 28/10/2020 22:11

If you're too ill to work, on holiday, or maybe working from home, you might find it easier to drop off near home. Also you won't want them falling asleep in the car.

Original poster

YellowEllis · 29/10/2020 08:11

Ok more good points. Looks like childminder is perhaps the better option then

OP posts:

NameChange30 · 29/10/2020 08:14

YY to childminder because it's near your home.
Having to provide meals would be annoying but it's only 1 day a week. If he was going 3+ days a week I'd be more inclined towards nursery because they provide meals

Original poster

YellowEllis · 29/10/2020 09:04

We aren't in our new home yet, currently live near my work but we are scheduled for completion in April so I'd have 6 months of driving out of the way in order to drop him off and pick him up until we live down there, but we are definitely moving and if that's the best place for him I'd rather short term inconvenience than having to put him somewhere up here and then move him. Dh is leaning towards nursery because it's more practical at the moment but I think I've been swayed to CM now.

OP posts:

NameChange30 · 29/10/2020 09:34

Hmm. 6 months of detours for drop offs and pick ups will be a pain. Only one day a week but still. How far is it from your current home to the childminder?

Original poster

YellowEllis · 29/10/2020 09:50

@NameChange30

Hmm. 6 months of detours for drop offs and pick ups will be a pain. Only one day a week but still. How far is it from your current home to the childminder?

30 mins from my home, 20 mins from my work.

So I'll drive 30 mins to drop him off, 20 mins back to my work, 20 mins back to get him then 30 mins home. Our long stop completion date is 31st April (though they have said it may be ready by Mid March that isn't guaranteed)

So roughly 23 times I'd have to go out my way, once I take out Christmas and other commitments.

OP posts:

Original poster

YellowEllis · 29/10/2020 09:51

On the bright side I'd get to see the progress of our house once a week when I do drop him off!

OP posts:

NameChange30 · 29/10/2020 10:00

Could you and your husband share drop offs and pick ups or does he work very long hours?

DH and I share them and it's what most of our friends do.

Original poster

YellowEllis · 29/10/2020 10:08

@NameChange30

Could you and your husband share drop offs and pick ups or does he work very long hours?

DH and I share them and it's what most of our friends do.

He walks to work at the moment whereas I drive (we share a car) so it has to be me. Once we move he'll drive past my work to get to his, so if we went for childminder we'd drop DC off together, drop me at work, drive to his work, and then pick me up and then DC as we were getting home.

If nursery he'd drop me and DC at nursery, I'd bring DC in and then walk to my work (2 mins away)

OP posts:

Maryann1975 · 29/10/2020 13:28

I’m a childminder so admittedly biased, but until I read your update at 9.04, I was definitely saying childminder. Far better to have childcare near your home. Your child will learn about the area they live in, Will get to know people And places in the community and There’s no danger of picking a child up at 5pm and them falling asleep on the way home and then refusing to go to sleep until midnight as they have had a power nap. But you will Have 6 months of that anyway. The comment about if you are off work is also really valid. Eg, if you have a doctors app at 9.30, You can drop child as normal before your app and carry on. If childcare is half an hour away, it’s going to be a complete pain to do that.

But I always think small groups With a consistent carer are better for Children.

Original poster

YellowEllis · 29/10/2020 14:00

@Maryann1975

I’m a childminder so admittedly biased, but until I read your update at 9.04, I was definitely saying childminder. Far better to have childcare near your home. Your child will learn about the area they live in, Will get to know people And places in the community and There’s no danger of picking a child up at 5pm and them falling asleep on the way home and then refusing to go to sleep until midnight as they have had a power nap. But you will Have 6 months of that anyway. The comment about if you are off work is also really valid. Eg, if you have a doctors app at 9.30, You can drop child as normal before your app and carry on. If childcare is half an hour away, it’s going to be a complete pain to do that. But I always think small groups With a consistent carer are better for Children.

Thank you! We've just had a phone call that our house will be ready by March so thats a month less to worry about. It's not ideal still but I'd rather 5 months of inconvenience if it's better for him in the long term.

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/11/2020 22:21

At 15mths you hope he will be there long term so once a week travel for 5mth is worth it

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