Choosing childcare...

[Thaimoon]

FTM and thinking ahead to when I go back to work. I'd really like recommendations/advice as to what to look for in a nursery/childminder and why you might choose one over the other? Feels a bit overwhelming and not sure where to even start! Would love people's experiences- good and bad to help me decide on care for my little lady. Thanks 🙏

Will places let you visit in Covid times? It's like buying a house, you just know when you find the right one.

Logistical things - do they provide nappies / milk / food? What is their policy on giving calpol / medicines generally? For a childminder when do they tend to take their holidays? Location vs your house and work, how is the drop off/pick up going to work.

If you can get some recommendations from friends or work colleagues that's also a good place to start.

Have a think about what is important to you and go from there. I chose a nursery for DD that is a smaller and the building isn't the best (my friend discounted it because the skirting board was a bit chipped) but they will pick little ones up when they cry, we're really supportive of DD who is quite an anxious sole and all the staff seem genuinely lovely. My friend prioritised resources as she's an early years teacher so she chose a much fancier nursery but they have a 'no pick up policy' so they will not pick up and carry children which I know wouldn't suit DD. Up to date policies and procedures, communication and first aid training are always key for me. I tried to look for nurseries who had achieved 'millies mark' that recognises that all staff are first aid trained (coined after a baby who sadly choked in childcare) but some training standards are awful so I had to let that one go as my choices were too limited. Proximity is also key because I didn't want to be doing loads of driving.

I loved the creche my kids go to when I visited and saw a baby asleep on one of the workers chest on a rocking chair. They said they always try to get them to sleep in the cot but this 'poor little one' was missing his mummy so he was having his naps on them today.
My kids love the place. My daughter (now 3) asks to go at weekends!.
Also check sickness policy. At this crdche they will give calpol / Neurofen and wait an hour. If the kid is better, they keep them. If no better and need a level of care they can't provide then they send them home. I know lots of places where they don't take this approach. Kids are sick all the time when they first go so it's important to go somewhere with a common sense approach.

Ask friend's/other parents for their recommendation's - it was telling that a couple of friends said they wouldn't send their subsequent children to certain nurseries/childminders
Sickness/medicine policies
Outdoor space and how much time do they spend outside - this was a big one for me
Staff turnover
Who the staff are and how they interact - I really liked the nursery DD goes to because there were a number of men working there which I didn't see at other nurseries
General up keep of toys & facilities - I went to see a couple and they were a bit grubby. I'm no clean freak but I came out wanting to go and give the walls a fresh coat of paint.

It's about gut feeling and day to day convenience. You'll know when you visit somewhere if it's the right place. Some just feel completely wrong. But also it's about thinking through if you can make the commute, the start and end times, the daily requirements work in your busy working day. Can they do the hours you need? Is it on your way to work? Will they provide all means and snacks or will you be scrambling around having to pack food for the day? Those are the things I'd think about. But mostly, it's just about listening to your instinct about what feels right.

We tried a nursery to start with which was recommended by a friend and the setting really didn’t suit my daughter. In the end we went with a childminder who only has two other kids and she was much happier there.

Thoroughly grill any childcare options you look at and if there are any niggling doubts ask questions and go elsewhere if needed (you are leaving your most precious possession so there should be no doubts whatsoever). Congratulations!

Thanks so much for all the advice I have taken it all on board

Definitely ask for recommendations from parents, and ask them why they like a place.

Childminders can be quite variable- you’d need to ask a lot of questions about their policies/philosophies to see if they are a good match for yours. E.g. how they comfort, how they manage behaviour, how they settle for naps - exactly what you ask will depend on your DC and their needs.

At the moment, child minders are restricted in activities due to Covid - most take the kids out to groups to socialise, but those are currently closed. In nurseries the kids are still mixing, with all the advantages and disadvantages of that.

Does your child thrive in a big social setting, or prefer quiet one-to-one time?

Normally when you visit you take your Dc in and let the, wander around,but obviously that’s not happening at the moment.

@blackcat86 I’ve never heard of a nursery with a no pick up child policy. That makes me sad. I would say go and see a couple of each & get a feel for them both. They both have pros and cons. I’m a childminder & always used childminders for my children before I started in this job but I have friends who use nurseries and a really happy with them. I would say to look for an environment that will work with you, listen to you & you feel you can work with as a partnership.

Also, childminders if connected with other could it need can currently run closed playgroups as they are classed as educational settings.

Sorry. Autocorrect went wrong. That should have said if childminders are connected with other childminders they can run closed playgroups.

There can be massive debate of childminder Vs nursery... But a good nursery is better than a bad childminder, and a good childminder is better than a bad nursery.

I chose nursery because I didn't want DD on school runs... But said school runs were a 15min drive each way, plus the actual pick up time. For other childminders, it's a 5minute walk, which can be quite nice. The nursery used to take them out on walks around the local area (a working Army camp/airfield) so they saw all sorts. They would get notifications of parade practices etc.

Also, remember you don't have to commit for years. What's best for a baby might not be best for a preschooler and you can change. (I actually used four different settings over two children due to house moves. They got something different from each one. )

Loads more to think about... would never have thought of all these. Thanks so much

@blackcat86

Have a think about what is important to you and go from there. I chose a nursery for DD that is a smaller and the building isn't the best (my friend discounted it because the skirting board was a bit chipped) but they will pick little ones up when they cry, we're really supportive of DD who is quite an anxious sole and all the staff seem genuinely lovely. My friend prioritised resources as she's an early years teacher so she chose a much fancier nursery but they have a 'no pick up policy' so they will not pick up and carry children which I know wouldn't suit DD. Up to date policies and procedures, communication and first aid training are always key for me. I tried to look for nurseries who had achieved 'millies mark' that recognises that all staff are first aid trained (coined after a baby who sadly choked in childcare) but some training standards are awful so I had to let that one go as my choices were too limited. Proximity is also key because I didn't want to be doing loads of driving.

‘No pick up policy’! That’s awful. I too went for a scruffier looking nursery which was very homely. Pre-Covid the nursery was fairly free follow and I remember one occasion there was a young toddler being carried around the 3 year old room because she would only settled with the leader of the yr old 3 that day.

Think about what’s important, for me I needed my child to feel loved. What is important to you, outdoor space, menu, opening times, holidays, flexibility, travel times?

Finances drove our decision - in our area Childminder's are as much as half the cost of nurseries - invaluable when you are having twins!

I'm a lot wiser now than when I chose a childminder for older DD though.....

• if you can go for a term time only contract - brings the cost down and you won't feel resentful for still paying for weeks and weeks when you are on holiday/they are on holiday/bank holidays

• make sure they are signed up to the tax free childcare account - government then tops up 20% of what you pay in

• enquire what they do all day? If they have multiple school/pre school runs which means most of the day your child is spent in a pushchair. Old childminder seemingly didn't do anything except put the Disney channel on. New one is forever organising lovely things - they do crafts, make Mother's Day cards etc

• new one - covid policy - if they have to close do you have to pay full fees etc?

• what meals they provide if any? Old childminder refused to offer evening meals even though DD with her until 6pm. Changed childminder and evening meal offered as standard at around 430 ish which takes pressure off rushing home from work and feeding an over tired and hungry child

• do they have someone who can cover if the childminder is ill? This is the biggest downside to childminders is that if they are ill you often get a last minute message and then have to try and get the day off work yourself?

• how many children they have? Lots of loopholes and ratio never checked so can quite often be a lot more kids at the Childminder's than you think.

What's the person like who answers the the phone? Do they just grunt the nursery's name at best, or are they articulate and interested in your custom?
If you meet the staff, do they look you in the eye and smile, or are they sullen. Is the room engaging and busy or cluttered and disorganised?

I am a childminder, people's recommendations have limited brnefit as most haven't experienced multiple settings.

I am a great believer in gut feeling. I meet parents i find the way we work matching is very importsnt both sides.

I have very different parents but some we have very different approaches that don't match.

Childminders do tend to go out to grouos , soft play etc - we aren't allowed at the moment. Much smaller groups easier to follow individual childs interests. Much smaller staff to child ratio
Negatives of a childminder. We close for holidays which means someone has to do childcare then, it can save money as you don't pay holidays but reduces flexibility.

Sickness if i am to sick to work i have to close if my dc is sick depends what it is.
That said currently far less risk of closing than schools or nursery bubbles at the minute.

Nursery. In groups child age, more structured, setting is specifically set up for children.

My own ds went to a nursery. It was good for him.

Visit a few you will know what is right for your child

I chose a nursery. They have more facilities more children to interact with. They are grouped in 'rooms' with other children the same age so the daily activity and routine is very focussed towards that specific age range. She learns a lot there. Always surprising me with things she has learned and how she develops.

They have an on site chef and excellent
Variety of meals which changes daily.

My child has thrived in a nursery setting and the staff have been excellent.

I can't speak for childminders as I didn't use one

My DD is with a childminder who came recommended from a friend who has lovely well behaved, well balanced children
She is local to my work, never has more than 4 children, spends lots of time outside, sits and has a cuddle on the sofa with them when they are tired/poorly, follows routine but not to the detriment of the child, expects the same level of manners I do, and most importantly I feel as though I am leaving her in a nurturing environment.
Downsides, she closed during first lockdown with little notice and DD had to attend emergency nursery placement (I’m a frontline worker), if she is sick there is no cover, and I have to keep/ reserve her space a little more strictly than a larger nursery with higher turnover. I am expecting another but cannot move DD to preschool yet until the new one is ready to fill her space, she has bills to pay after all.
Pros and cons to both but find the right fit for you.