Recommendations wanted on home help vs nursery vs child minder whilst on mat leave

[Zenlifeforme]

Hi all, am finding not having any kind of family to help out with our little 5 month old tricky, but we are very lucky and can afford to get help. I’m wondering if anyone who has au pair/nanny could tell me how it works and pros and cons. Cos also wondering if best just to start her half a day a week in nursery instead... (but that means driving her there and getting her).
If you have a nanny is it ok if you decide you just want to stay at home and they are there with them? Do you ever feel the need to get back involved? Not sure I could handle if she cried... also how long does it take to settle nanny in with you? Or can nanny just hang out with you both for the day and help you, is that the done thing? Also can you just get a nanny for 3 hours?
Questions questions!
Thank you.

I wouldn't recommend a Nursery for 1/2 a day a week on the whole, as it is too long between sessions, and every time they go, it is "new" all over again.

A Nanny has sole care of a child. I don't know this, but I suspect that a Nanny wouldn't generally want a 3 hour a week slot.
If you are there, in the house with them, and looking for a bit of support and company, you could get someone in a 'Mother's Help' role, which means they don't need any qualifications, etc, and you can be a bit more flexible in what they do.
You could get a student to do this, and may well find they are happy to be a bit more flexible - ask them to come for a bit longer or a bit more often if you are struggling and a bit less when you are having a good week. Advertise the job as being a mix of looking after the baby while you are in the house / a bit of light housework / occasionally accompanying you and the baby to go out and about. You might get an older person who would be happy to do the job ~ maybe someone who lives a long way from their grandchildren or doesn't have grandchildren.

Do you have a cleaner? I know this wasn’t your question but it might help free up your time.

Thank you @backforgood that is a great idea.

Don’t have a cleaner @delphimum but have considered if that would help...

Do you think it’s ok to ask within a mother’s help type role for them to have a CRB check?

Yes a mother's helps exactly what you need.

Of course you can ask for a DBS (used to be CRB). I'd say have a think about what you want and need. Someone to come in, do a bit of cleaning, a bit of batch cooking, hold and play with the baby while you have a bath etc then write your job description.

I would choose a nanny in your situation (and a cleaner). Most nurseries won't allow just 1 session a week.
I'm sure a number of nannies would be happy with just a 3hr block a week if you are flexible with when they do it. Most people want before and after school care, so if you could choose during school hours that could work nicely for a lot of nannies.

Agree that the role you're offering is 'mother's help'. A range of people will do that role, a nanny, an au pair, a student, an older person with experience of their own children.

I don't think you'll struggle to find someone for a 3 hour slot as long as those hours are within school time, between 9:30-2:30. Lots of nannies and au pairs looking to fill those hours. You may have to offer a higher than normal rate. Outside of these hours I emailed after school, it will be much trickier.

Ah great I will look at both avenues in that case. Thank you