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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

Newborn childminder vs nursery??

68 replies

pinacolada22 · 21/05/2022 22:26

I have been working from home with my baby girl since she was 5 days old. She's 10 weeks now and I am in desperate need of childcare! I am not sure what would be better for: a child minder or nursery? She has never been around other children, and is only really familiar with myself as I don't have close family/friends around.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

northernlola · 21/05/2022 22:32

At such a young age I'd go for a childminder. No maternity leave for you? Back to work after 5 days sounds brutal!

badgerhead · 21/05/2022 22:32

For that age child I would say a childminder, it is home from home setting with someone who will likely understand a young baby's needs and be able to respond to & cuddle them.

Twizbe · 21/05/2022 22:32

Most likely childminder at that age.

Most nurseries won't take them until 6 months, you might find one that does 3 months but unlikely.

Original poster

pinacolada22 · 21/05/2022 22:34

also, excuse my ignorance (ftm here) but as I am breastfeeding her and plan on starting pumping and giving bottles when she is in childcare, what do I need as well as the bottles? Do I need to get a warmer or something to keep them fresh? or can the pumped bottles just go in a bag and be okay for the day?

OP posts:

watcherintherye · 21/05/2022 22:35

Are you stopping wfh? If not, could you employ someone who could come to your home?

Original poster

pinacolada22 · 21/05/2022 22:35

thanks for your responses. I will start looking at childminders then. How many other children do they typically have at once?

OP posts:

Twizbe · 21/05/2022 22:37

Depends on the ages. They are bound by ratios as well.

Thesearmsofmine · 21/05/2022 22:39

I would look at a nanny if possible.

Original poster

pinacolada22 · 21/05/2022 22:39

@watcherintherye no I am continuing wfh but am starting to feel burn out (and feel awful my baby is not getting 247 attention), hence looking into childcare options. unfortunately I don't think I can afford a nanny so a child minder is my only option.

OP posts:

autienotnaughty · 21/05/2022 22:42

I've worked in nurseries and as a childminder. I would definitely say childminder or nanny for home from home experience.

northernlola · 21/05/2022 22:42

Re. Breastmilk it can be stored at room temp for up to six hours. However a shorter time is best. The childminder could keep it in the fridge, then it can sit for longer than 6 hours. A frozen supply is good too, you can get those special storage bags.

scrivette · 21/05/2022 22:45

It depends on the nursery. My local one takes them from 12 weeks I think (although I am not sure they have ever had such a small one) and they would love cuddling a tiny baby. It's an extremely small nursery though, with only 6 under 2's.

underneaththeash · 21/05/2022 22:47

I wouldn’t do either.
She’s 10 weeks old. Most nurseries will have a room full of much older babies and she’ll sit in a bouncer all day.
childminders will have a range of ages and again she’ll get very little individual attention.
you need to take some maternity leave or get a nanny.

Original poster

pinacolada22 · 21/05/2022 22:49

@northernlola thank you for explaining, that makes things easier!

OP posts:

Sunnyshoeshine · 21/05/2022 22:52

Oh OP - back to work after 5 days?! Are you in the UK? It's illegal to work in the two weeks after your baby's birth here, but i appreciate it's so so hard if you are self employed, which you maybe are? If not, you should definitely contact ACAS or Pregnant then Screwed for some advice. I hope you will be able to take some time to recover for yourself.

My DD has just gone to nursery at 10months and she is the tiniest one there, even though the nursery can take babies from 3 months. I would def say childminder if she is only 10 weeks old as i couldn't imagine such a tiny baby in the same room as DD and the other babies / toddlers in her nursery room!

Original poster

pinacolada22 · 21/05/2022 23:03

@underneaththeash I appreciate that, and trust me, I've had all the same thoughts. But due to financial reasons, I cannot get a nanny. I am not entitled to maternity as I hadn't worked for the required weeks. For context, I was at uni when I became pregnant and her dad was financially supporting me at the time and up until the end of my pregnancy. He went MIA shortly before I gave birth. So I'm really trying to make the best out of a difficult situation. My only options are : quit my job or childcare. Both have their pros and cons but after a lot of thought, I would like to find childcare. It will only be for 2 days a week, because I don't want her forgetting about me!

OP posts:

Cherrysherbet · 21/05/2022 23:05

No way would I leave such a young baby with either. She’s not going to get the individual attention that she needs.

I just couldn’t do it.

JanglyBeads · 21/05/2022 23:07

Have you checked what benefits you're entitled to OP?

Eg via the CAB or Turn2Us websites?

FlibbertyGiblets · 21/05/2022 23:10

A childminder can have one baby under 12 months, and a max of 3 under 5 including the baby, as far as I can recall. My childminder looked after a baby twice a week from 2 weeks old, Mum was at college, it all worked nicely with expressed milk and lots of baby-wearing (sling), it can work if you get the right CM.
Good luck.

CucumberCool · 22/05/2022 01:11

This website is full of information about breastfeeding. www.laleche.org.uk/.

Essentially breastmilk will last a max of
6 hours out the fridge (after being expressed)
6 days in the fridge
6 months to in the freezer

Not all babies take a bottle either. Check how experienced the minder is with babies who don't take a bottle just in case.

It sounds like you really are doing this on your own, which is incredibly hard. Hats off to you. I have a 12 week old and can't imagine going it alone, never mind working too yet. I'm fretting about leaving her for 4 hours next week!

My little will be 8 months when I go back to work and I'm seriously wondering if that is too early and if I am doing the right thing....

I know you've said you have thought long and hard on it but is there anyway you could get financial help from the government and go back to work in a few months?

I imagine your hormones are still ruling your head (as mine still are!) and I worry you are going to do yourself in by working and looking after baby. Your work looking after your baby will not stop just cos they are in childcare, you be straight back to it after work-work.

Look after yourself for the sake of your child, as they need you way way more than any job does at the moment.

I want to add also how much respect I have for you and I am not judging you at all. Times are hard and I wish you all the best in whatever you choose.

Best wishes OP

WarOnSlugs · 22/05/2022 02:04

OP you can't be forced back to work after such a short time. Even if you aren't entitled to the basic statutory maternity pay you can get maternity allowance.

WarOnSlugs · 22/05/2022 02:05

www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance

NotintheUK · 22/05/2022 02:09

Kellymom website has lots of info on breastfeeding including storage and returning to work etc
kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/milkstorage/

thebabynanny · 22/05/2022 08:41

I would go for a childminder. No, baby won't get 1:1 attention but then my 3rd child didn't get 1:1 attention either and she seems to have survived!

A childminder will have one baby and then a couple of other preschoolers, and might do have some school age children before and after school. The experience is definitely very much like a "busy family" and actually I think that's a lovely experience for an only child. Your baby will have a close relationship with a special adult who becomes like an auntie figure, and bigger children to watch and play with. Then can come home and get 1:1 attention from you.

mnahmnah · 22/05/2022 08:46

@Cherrysherbet

that’s not helpful. She has explained her reasons. Needs must.

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