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Paid childcare

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

Original poster

advice on number of childminders - is 1 better than 2

7 replies

gingernut88 · 07/05/2009 19:42

Help please! I need to make a decision about childcare for my lo. Is it better to have 1 consistent childminder, or can children adapt and have 2 quite easily? Also, does it make a difference having a day off mid-week, or better to have a run of 4 days of care together?
Thanks for your help!

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underpaidandoverworked · 07/05/2009 19:49

I've done shared care with a fellow minder in the past and it worked for us - we went to the same playgroups and visited each others homes anyway so children were perfectly happy with either of us. Many cms cover for each others holidays anyway - obviously with parental consent - and I'm at the moment doing maternity cover for a cm friend. Depends on your child and what you are looking for from a cm. As for the day off - it would break up your week and your child's week if you have a day off mid-week - but again, it's what suits you and your child. Good luck

Original poster
gingernut88 · 07/05/2009 19:52

Oops sorry, I didn't explain myself - that's 2 different childminders, working on their own, on different days. My LO is currently at one already and really happy, but I need more care than she can provide. Just not sure if I take my LO out and get a new carer for the whole week, or keep her where I know she is happy and get a new minder for the rest of the week.

OP posts:
moshie · 07/05/2009 19:58

I'd get a new minder for the extra days rather than start from scratch with someone new. Im a childminder and have covered days that another minder couldn't do and it worked really well.

Numberfour · 07/05/2009 20:46

i know of a little girl who has 3 days with one minder and two with another (i am friendly with both minders and through them know the little girl a bit). she is very settled at both places, showing the same temperament and stages of development! happy and settled with both.

i think whether it works or not depends on the parent(s), the child and the childminder(s).

it is something that can work, given the right circumstances.

good luck!

HSMM · 07/05/2009 21:52

I used to share care with another minder and after a year or so, the mindee was expressing a definite preference for one of us , so her Mum said she wanted to change to one minder as soon as a space was available.

mamadoc · 07/05/2009 22:31

I would start over myself.
To me the biggest advantage of a childminder is one consistent carer (especially if

Blondeshavemorefun · 08/05/2009 08:59

nothing wrong with 2 carers/cms but i think it would prob be easier to have one

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