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Paid childcare

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

PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME

7 replies

happsydaisy · 10/04/2009 21:52

I am a single mum having the time of my life with DD, but due to go back to work full time in August.

I am totally overwhelmed and baffled by what kind of childcare I am supposed to be looking for - and what is best for her and me. Nanny? CM? Nursery? I don't really understand the differences and their positives / negatives.

Please help.

I'll be working Monday to Fri, in the office from 0930 to 1830 every day, and I feel really panicked I'm never going to see her and worried as to how to manage getting her to childcare and getting me to work every day.

Can anyone anyone please advise a) what are the differences in childcare and what should I look for and b) any recommendations in Richmond Surrey.

Thank you

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
FiveGoMadInDorset · 10/04/2009 21:56

If you are working until 6.30 then a nursery is probably out of the question as they usually close at 6, other than that it is up to you, but if I was in your position and could afford it I would probably plump for a nanny.

Supernanny19 · 10/04/2009 22:08

Hi I am looking for a nanny position. If you would consider a live in nanny please contact me at [email protected].

hf128219 · 10/04/2009 22:12

Some nurseries are open until 7pm. Although as a single mum I think a nanny would be the best option as children with D&V cannot attend nursery for 48 hours - unless you have family near by as back up.

ClovisHandrail · 10/04/2009 22:15

Absolutely a nanny if you can afford it.

Nannyshare with another family with perhaps one child too is a great way to halve the cost.

KatyKatyKaty · 10/04/2009 23:01

Hiya,

Having worked in a nursery, as a nanny and now as a childminder I have a fair idea! As for the nursery most do close at 18.00, plus there is little room for flexibility, but on the other hand you can use childcare vouchers and check OFSTED reports etc and know that your child will be following the EYFS. As for the nanny option this is more flexible on hours and what you need from them, e.g. some also do housework as well as nursery duties etc, but it is not regulated and you will need to be careful to check for references, CRB, quliications first aid, experience etc plus they do not have to be OFSTED registered and if not you can not use childcare vouchers etc. Finally as for the Childminder option again it depends on the one you choose, some are flexible with hours etc, some aren't, you would need to get your child to their home and so be ready to do this in the mornings but at the same time oyu know they will be registered, with CRB, First Aid and following the EYFS and you can use childcare vouchers and this is usually the cheapest option.
The best advice I can give is to really 'shop around' ask people you know, get recommendations and go meet people / places and see what 'feels' right for you and your child.

nannynick · 11/04/2009 10:42

With only one child, a nanny is an expensive option. Given the timings you have given, the 18:30 finish work time could be a problem. Is that the time you leave work, or the time you get home? What about the start time, is that work start time, or when you would be leaving home?

List of Nurseries and Childminders in Richmond, Surrey - this list is NOT complete, but will give you some idea of what childcare facilities are in the area.

A childminder in your area I expect will cost £6-£8 per hour. A nursery I expect will cost £60-£70 per day.

How old is your DD?

Do you want a home from home environment, or do you want more of a large group environment?

Do you want your DD to be with lots of children their own age, or with children of varying ages?

I will start off the Disadvantages/Advantages of the various types of childcare. Others will add to the list I hope.

Nanny
Cares for your child at your home.
Disadvantage: If they are ill, there is no backup.
Advantage: They are your employee so you have full control over what they do. They also do some domestic chores at home, such as trying to keep the kitchen tidy.

CM
Cares for your child at THEIR home.
Disadvantage: May be no backup if the CM or CM's own children are ill, though some CM's have links with other local CM's who may be able to help out. The CM will be collecting older children from school, so your DD will go on trips to/from school - this can be educational, can be a social event.
Advantage: Cares for children of multiple ages, so is like your DD being part of a family with older/younger siblings. During the day while older children are at school, your DD gets 1:3 / 1:2 attention as the CM would have your DD plus one or two children.
A CM will take your child out to local parks and other childhood attractions.

Nursery
Cares for your child at their location within a large group environment.
Disadvantages: Illness spreads quickly within large group environments, so when your DD starts, expect her to pick up illnesses on a regular basis. She will soon build up immunity though, so you may see that being an advantage.
You have no control over what happens, the nursery dictates everything. Some nurseries may try to follow routines your DD has, the nursery will have it's own routines - so your DD may need to adjust... such as sleep/nap times. Some nurseries do not take children out and about - your DD may be stuck inside the same four walls most of the day. On the other hand, some nurserys do take children out, for local walks to the park (being Richmond area, I would hope that nurseries would take children to Richmond park on occasion).
Advantages: If a staff member is ill, it is the nurseries problem not yours - this means that the nursery may get a temp in from an agency. You can collect when you like as children are often on nursery grounds the vast majority of the time, whereas with a CM the CM may be out and about quite a bit.
Your DD will be in a group with other children her own age - you may see this as being an advantage or a disadvantage.

ClovisHandrail · 11/04/2009 11:03

Post a message on here about doing a nanny share and see if you get anyone in your area interested.

I did this for about a year (a couple of days a week) and it was brilliant - and cost half of what the only available, very expensive (but not very good) nursery and was much much better. £35 per day versus £68 per day . However not sure how old your dd is, ds was 14 months at the time.

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