What is the best combination of nursery/childminder/nanny and/or au pair for a 2.75 year old boy?

[thedolly]

Both parents working full time. Mother working full time at Prep School with family living on site. Two older siblings both at school on site.

Dream job has come up two years earlier than planned - help.

(no experience of childcare to date as SAHM)

I believe that kids of this age benefit from one consistent carer (apart from Mum nad Dad obviously) , so I would say that a childminder / nanny / au pair would be preferable to a nursery.

I've no experience of nannies or au pairs though. i guess a qualified / experienced nanny is probably preferable to an unqualified / inexperienced au pair in principle but it depends on the individual.

He can start pre-school sessions so will learn about socialising etc then.

I think 2.75 is still a little young for a nursery full time (does depend on nursery though-if it's small with low staff turn over could be ok)- a replacement mum figure such as a nanny or childminder with a bit of preschool for socialization when he's 3 would be a little less of a shock to his system.
Really you have to explore all options and go with your gut instinct as the person who knows your child best.

With 3 children, a nanny is worth considering.

Do you need childcare during school holidays (consider what days during school holidays you may be needed to go into work, or need to plan work at home, or do other work such as examination marking)?

What would happen if a child had a cold, thus was too ill to be accepted by school but not ill enough for you to want to take the time off work. Would you or your partner take the time off work... or would you want the child with a cold attending childcare?

How much of a social life outside of school hours do your older children have? Would your working hours fit with their school day, or would be finishing earlier thus some need for someone else to collect them from school and take them to friends/activities?

Would you be wanting someone to some household tasks - such as trying to keep up with the washing that 3 children create?

Good points nannynick, so much to consider.

Now I remember why I'm a SAHM

I honestly have no idea how much a nanny would be paid. I'm guessing you may be able to enlighten me.

Anyone else?

Very roughly a nanny works out around £100 per day plus employers NICs. So if 5-days per week, then I'd say around £29,000 per year. If you are not supplying a car, then there are additional costs such as paying the nanny to use their car (40p per mile) which could add another £1000-£2000 depending on how much the nanny travels with your children in their car.
In London the costs go up, I'd say about 20%.
There are also other misc costs, such as Heating/Lighting of your home during the day (as you wouldn't be bothering much with that if everyone was out), Nannies lunch, Payroll company to do the payslips. If nanny had a budget for activities of £5 per day, then that is another £1150 a year in expenses (based on 5 days a week, 46 week working year).

If you do not need childcare during school holidays, then a childminder may agree to a term-time only contract with a 1/2 fee retainer during holiday periods. A nanny may agree to similar, or may want full pay. A nursery likewise may be happy with term-time only, or may want you to pay for the childcare place regardless of if you actually use it.

As a teacher you may be able to get Childcare Vouchers from your employer - check that out, as that can save a £1000, or £2000 per year if both you and DH can get them. But do look into how it may effect a pension or any employment bonus scheme.

DS2 is 2.8 and has been in full time nursery for about 17 months - he loves it (together with DS1 who is nearly 5 and is leaving this week).

We also have an AP who takes them to/from nursery. It isn't cheap - but the nursery is great and I have been very happy with our choice. An AP can't have sole charge for long periods for toddlers, but ours is fine for the trips and for the (up to an hour) period she is at home alone with them in the evening. She keeps on top of teh kitchen and hoovering too.

That is what I would do in your situation

How full time is full time mumof2? 8.00am to 6.00pm?

DS2 was lucky to have his older brother there .

How much does an au pair cost ?

Thinking about there is an on site nursery school attached to the pre prep and DS2 is still at pre prep so the situation would be similar enough to yours mumof2.

full time is 8 - 5 and DS1 is really quite emotional about leaving the nursery (he thinks he runs it and is concerned about how they will cope without him

Our AP costs us £70 per week (lots of threads on APs here) - if you are out of London it may cost you more. Also think about car insurance if you want AP to drive. None of ours have been expensive on the food front, but it certainly ups the bill.

The boys have loved the nursery partly because it is where Daddy works (it is on a military base and DH is Navy)...

Good luck.