New mum to be seeking advice (SW19)

[Jenni363]

Hello all,

This is my first post so please for give me if I get it totally wrong..

I'm only 28 weeks pregnant with my first child and trying to figure out when to start my mat leave - and when to come back to work!

I've been warned that some nurseries / childminders have a years waiting list, and since I'm planning to go back to work in September 2011 I thought maybe I best start looking at different options already.

There are few really nice looking nurseries in Wimbledon but they are bit too expensive for us at around £1,200 a month and apparently a child minder would be cheaper at around £900 a month.

We saw the first potential child minder last night and this totally freaked me out! She'd totally forgotten that we were coming, we rang the door bell and aggressive dog barking started.. she then just about managed to lock the door in the garden (his son's friends dog apparently).. the house was messy and smelled really stale... and living areas were tiny - I have no idea where the children would be playing.. Her husband just sat there watching soaps while we were trying to talk to this lady... Her teenage son wondered downstairs topless to make a sandwich while we were there.. argh I just wanted to leave immediately and not even bother asking her any further questions. Apparently she only has "after school children" at the moment.. But would welcome full time children anytime. Well that surely wont be ours!!

Now I'm hoping this was just a one off case - we got her details from the council and I need to start calling for other options near us.

So I just wanted to know could anybody recommend a great childminder in SW19 area, we are near Haydons Rd station, Queens Road / Haydons Road.

Or am I just looking way too early!?! I am super organised personality (excellent PA!) and hate leaving anything to the last minute.

As said this is all so new and confusing to us as it is our first child, so not sure where to start.

Any advice / experiences would be welcome!

(sorry about the long post..)

Hi there

I live in SW18, unfortunately don't know of any childminders in the area you mention so can't offer any help on that point but didn't want to leave your post unanswered.

You are definitely doing the right thing to start looking now. DD is 15 months and goes to nursery - we looked at it when I was 7 months pregnant and could only get 2 days a week to start with when I needed to go back to work when she was 6 months. The good nurseries or childminders have spaces taken early on so never to early to start looking.

I decided against a childminder as there were none suitable in a convenient location either near home or on the way to/from work available when I needed. You are right the cost is generally a bit lower but I have seen childminders whose costs are approaching those of a good private nursery.

If you want to go the childminder route keep looking and hopefully you will find someone soon who you would feel happy to leave your little one with. I am guessing your local council is Merton rather than Wandsworth, but I know Wandsworth hold regular 'meet a minder' sessions and I would guess Merton would have something similar. Maybe you could meet a few at a gathering like that and then arrange to meet any minders you liked in their home later.

Would you consider a nanny share - may be worth looking into if you like the idea of your little one being cared for in a home setting and could work out similar cost to a childminder.

If you decide to go the nursery route get your name down NOW. I have friends in the SW19/SW20 area who are still on waiting lists despite having visited ages ago.

Hope this helps and good luck

xx