Early morning childcare advice please

[bozette]

Hi, would be grateful for advice. I'm due to go back to work in April. I have booked a place for ds (will be 7 months then) at a nursery but ideally need someone to take him from about 7.15 and drop him at the nursery after 8 as both dh and i start work at 8. What are the chances of finding someone? and how do i find them? Thanks, i'm new to all this and its been so confusing to know what to do.

hve you thought of looking for a CM instead that could have him from that early, alot of us start at that sort of time.

You might beable to get one to do just the timings that you want, but it would mean that the cm couldnt take another under 1 till she had dropped your little one off, and 8 oclock is the sort of time that alot of CM's mindees would be arriving at her house.

Try looking here and put in your post code, it will give you a list in your area.

You could then phone round and see.

Agree with shoshe, problem for a lot of childminders would be the time you want them dropping off at nursery as they could quite possibly miss out on business, need to be at home at that time as other children being dropped off etc. and it wouldn't be worth the childminder doing that for just an hour a day iyswim. Could always try though, the link shoshe gave is the one you need

I don't think say 7.15-8.15 would be financially viable for any care provider. A student perhaps, but how many students want to get up early in the morning. I feel your chances of finding someone are close to nil (sorry).

Can you make it more viable for a childcare provider, by dropping hours at nursery. For example, mornings at a childminder and afternoons at a nursery? Or switch completely to a childminder, presuming you can find one who starts at 7.15.

Could you have live-in staff of some kind, who could do early morning for you, dropping your child at nursery. A student from abroad perhaps (though of course trouble is that they may not want to get up that early - though perhaps they would in exchange for free accommodation).

It's a tricky one... not sure there is any ideal soluition. Parents have rights to flexible working - so you could approach your employer and see if you and DH could start later some days, taking it in turn to drop your ds at nursery.

Where are you?

Thanks for the help. TBH i didn't look at CMs to start with as i had found the childcare link and came up with so many names that i didn't know how to start looking. I have a place at one nursery, but am waiting to see if another that i prefer has space. That's how decisive i am!
If i were to find a suitable CM then yes, i would change my plans to make it more mutualy viable.
nannynick, unfortunately the west wing is still under construction so we have no space for live-in staff
Our working hours are unfortunately difficult in the mornings. We are in New Malden.
I wish i'd thought of asking on here earlier!

bozette

If you do look at a CM, here is Alibubbles list of questions, love.

How long have you been working with children?

What training have you had? Any qualifications? Are you part of a network, achieved a quality assurance qualification, look at registration certificate, insurance details, business use for car. First aid must be no more than 3 years old, food hygiene certificate, Certificate in Childminding practice or NVQ 3, Contracts and record forms

Do you enjoy being with children and why?

Can I look around, see the rooms and outside play space? If there is no outside play space - how will you make sure my child gets the chance to play outside?

Where will my child rest?

What kind of food and drink will you give? Can I see a menu?

What will my child do all day?

How do you encourage good behaviour?

Will my child be with a regular group of children? How old are they? How will their timetable fit in with my child?

How will you make sure I know how my child is getting on?

What hours is she open?

How much does she charge?

What about when my child is sick, holidays, days off

What do you do in an emergency?

When was her last Ofsted, can you see the report?

Top 10 Quality Pointers

When you visit possible childcare options, look for these Quality Pointers:

Are the children calm, safe, happy and busy?

Do children play and talk together?

Is the childminder listening to the children and answering them carefully?

Is the childminder friendly and proud of her work?

Is she joining in joining in with what the children are doing?

Are there lots of fun activities planned to help children learn and play? Can children plan some of these activities themselves?

Are there plenty of clean toys and equipment for children to use?

Is the premises clean, well kept and safe for children with a fun outside play area (or will the child go to parks and other places regularly)?

Do parents have plenty of chances to say what they want for their children?

If there are other things you want to know, don't be afraid to ask. Good childminders expect you to ask questions and will be happy to answer them.

Always take up references. You could ask for names of other parents to talk to about the service

Listen to your child and find out more if he/she is unhappy
Always trust your own feelings about your childcare - you know your child best