Childcare dilema.............

[warmsummersday]

I have a 5yr old in school and a 1 year old. OH works away all week so don't really get any help and I would really like some help for 1 or 2 days a week. I looked at a really good nursery today but still wasn't sure as DD2 seems so young and just can't imagine her going into the nursery just so I can have some time out. I started to think about a nanny today and it is more homely and something I would feel more comfortable with but I know they are expensive. Don't really fancy childminder. Can any give me some advice please. I am based in Essex. Thanks

Well I'm afraid your only choices are either Nursery, Nanny or Childminder unless you are prepared to have someone move in as an au pair plus (I believe that a standard au pair isn't allowed to have sole charge of an under 3 year old for more than a certain amount of time???? someone else can confirm that! )

I know nothing about nanny fees as I'm a childminder myself.

What sort of advice are you after? Is there anything particular putting you off using a childminder?

Not sure what advice you are after. If you want a day or two of purely childcare for DD2... then a nursery or childminder will be your lowest cost option I expect. A nanny I would anticipate costing you as the employer £80+ per day. Can't locate fee details for nurseries - many don't list those on their websites.

Thanks. The nursery I looked at charges £35 per day but I just don't know if I want to put her into that environment, it just seems like such a free for all! The nursery has fantastic ofsted report though. With a nanny she will be able to look after DD in our home and take her out as and when but it's going to cost alot more then a nursery I guess!

I did think about an au pair. I am on my own all week so I would like abit of company but to have somene living in my house all week and weekend is another story and are they always foreign? and they can't have sole care for a 1year old?

AP's usually are foreign, as the idea is that it is a cultural exchange. and it is not recommended they have sole care of dc under 3.

if you have a couple of children many children will let you have a childcare student for free one day a week...

the idea is that you sort of show them waht to do a bit (they are students learning to be nannys / work in nursarys etc) but most would be capable of entertaining you baby for a few hours, playing with him, maybe a short walk to the park etc while you had a bit of time for you.

Its worth contacting any localy colleges that teach childcare courses, because they need families to send their students too as well...

you may particularly like one or 2 of them and be able to ask them to babysit ad hoc for you, they may well be pleased to have a few extra pounds.

IMO its worth at least phoning to see if you qulaify...
some like you to have an under 1 year old and a toddler where as others arnt quite so strict that the youngest child has to be

You may also get a local student doing another course- I'm at uni and do that sort of thing on my free day.

If you could still be around for at least the first few weeks that would obviously be best, but they'd be able to have sole charge to go to park etc unlike childcare students who have to be supervised at all times.

Try netmums/gumtree.

where in essex are you based? you might be able to find someone who just wants a few hours a day, an ex nanny with their own children at school for example.