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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Childminder vs. Nanny?

8 replies

ActiveC · 01/04/2008 22:53

A big hello to you all! I?m a newbie to this site Feel free to read my profile. I?ve found it an invaluable resource of childcare from the parent perspective. It seems the problem lies in communication (or misunderstanding of) between parent and childcare provider. I?m a naturally talkative person and like to get thing of my chest. Similarly, I?d expect a parent to air their thoughts and concerns to me, after all you are paying for a service (I can?t believe some of the horror stories I?ve read on this site).
I?m not biased, (er, not entirely true) but I?d say that overall, a childminder is most flexible form of child care. Dr Penelope Leach, the NCMA president says:

"I believe that for babies and toddlers, childminding alone is probably the best kind of daycare we?ve yet dreamed up. It does potentially better for children, families and for society."

Childminders tend to be more mature than young nannies, as we often have more life experience in addition to our own families. Also we inspected on a regular basis by Ofsted. Lots of you have had bad experiences with childminders, but don?t discount ALL OF US!
www.activecherubs.co.uk

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BoysAreLikeDogs · 01/04/2008 22:58

Hello ActiveC

Welcome to MN

I am not sure that it is as clear-cut as you believe.

Choice for parents is very important, be it a Nanny, a Nursery or a CM

ActiveC · 01/04/2008 23:01

I trained in a nursery and.... let's just say I will not leave my child in one. Would rather sit at home and claim benefits.

What's you ecperience been like?

OP posts:
BoysAreLikeDogs · 01/04/2008 23:04

I am CM, you will see me in the CM Staffroom as well as around the boards.

I would hesitate to tar all alternative forms of childcare; there are good ,bad and indifferent CMs as well as Nurseries and Nannies

ActiveC · 01/04/2008 23:14

What's the 'CM staffroom?'

OP posts:
BoysAreLikeDogs · 01/04/2008 23:18

this is today's Staffroom.

Have a good look all round MN, there's loads to see
HTH

ActiveC · 01/04/2008 23:20

Duh!

Thanks, for your advice!

OP posts:
imananny · 02/04/2008 09:29

I am not sure that a CM is the most flexible form of childcare as often they have several famillies/children and if a new family/child comes along they would have to fit in with what the CM does.

Where as a nanny is often employed by one family(unless nannyshare) and therefore can meet whatever the needs of the family are 100% as thats all the nanny has to do is please and obey one person iykwim

I am not a fan of nurseries as think a lot of them, but not all, dont employ good staff - some I have been in, didnt even have qualified staff which I thought was dreadful

Parents generally try and do the best they can for their child, but some just cant afford childcare and often nurseries are the cheaper option, and the only one they can afford.

Sure lots of people might think like you,and claim all in sight - I have got friends who would be finically better off not working and claiming, but they have their pride and dont want to scrounge but want to better theirselves and not claim benifits, hence why they go out to work and try and previde a life for their child.

Once you have 2+ children, often a nanny works out to be better in value, as they get paid an hourly rate , rather than child rate like CM.

The only real difference I can see, and this is from a parents point of view, is that it might make life easier having a nanny as they come to your house and get child/ren ready, where as with a CM you have to generally take them there, so you need to get yourself ready, up and dressed as well as any children you might have.

Every parent is different, as is every child, and am CM might suit one family, where as a nanny might suit another.

As long as the child is loved and cared for you, I dont think it makes a difference what child care you have as long as the family and child and the employee is happy

Surr3ymummy · 02/04/2008 16:48

Over the years I've tried all forms of childcare - nursery, nanny, nanny-share, childminder and au-pair, plus a combination of the above!

My conclusion is that there isn't a "better" option - they can all be good and they can all be bad. It does really depend on what you need at a particular point in time, as well as what's available.

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