Child care

[janiebaby007]

I am a mother to be for the first time. I work freelance and after maternity I don't think I'll be entitled to any major benefits.

Unless I stop working of course if that's more beneficial then that's an option. However I think I have to focus on paying for things.

Things like - childcare.

When I work it's on weekends more often than not. I have a wonderful father and potentially a sister'-in-law' that can take care of my child when I need however, I would like to put in place a shortlist of childcare providers for when they are not available.

Does anyone know anything about finding and reviewing childcare providers. Possibly one-to-one childminders that could come round or I could drop my child off there. Perhaps a nanny just for a day kind of thing or to share a nanny. Tips welcomed.

Where do people go to get reputable nannies/au pairs/child minders with reviews?

You could try bubble? They do as hoc and regular help.
Also au pairs shouldn’t be used for kids under 2 if memory serves.
good luck. It’s a mind field !

I think it would be a nanny you need. Childminders look after children in their home rather than yours and most tend to work weekdays rather than weekends,
Good luck with everything.

At weekends it is trickier and you will likely need to pay a premium. A nanny is probably your best bet. However, with a really young baby you will want someone who knows them well so consistently the same person, and it will be harder to find someone to do this if it is not a regular thing, just ad hoc. There are nanny agencies you could speak to, or search childcare.co.uk or local nanny facebook groups where people advertise/ look for work, and describe what you need. You can then interview them, check their DBS, ask for references and see how they interact with your child.

What age will you be leaving them from to start work again? If very small then you'll want to give any nanny time with them with you present several times so they observe the baby's routines and the baby feels comfortable with them, and you to leave them.

When you say a good father do you mean your father or the baby's father?

My dad.

My child's father is an option also but - I'm not sure how that will pan out.

@LostRahRah thank you for your in-depth tips. All of that is quite scary. With regards to a young baby. I'm getting bookings coming in for a couple of months after my child is born, at that point, it will definitely be family options but the following year when the child is over six months, I'm thinking of opening up to external childcare options when I really need.

It wouldn't be regular, I'll be the main person Providing child care. Even your post has made me think twice about whether I want to use childcare options so soon.

Nannies can be fantastic. My children are primary school age and we have one who has worked various different hours with us at different times since they were babies. She is part of our family and we love her. She has an incredible bond with my children.

This is definitely your best option I think, to find a nanny or a couple of nannies and gradually introduce them into your family once your baby is that kind of age: she started caring for mine when my youngest was 6 months old, just for a few very early hours each week I couldn't cover and I honestly did not think I'd find anybody to take that job! With weekend hours you may find a nanny who has a regular job in the week and is happy to do ad hoc stuff for you at weekends, but they may not always be available when you want so you may need a couple of options as you said!

So it can be done, I didn't mean to worry you. Just be prepared that given that it's weekend hours and ad hoc it may take a little more searching and also that you should expect to pay more than standard rates per hour. It's good you're thinking about this now so you have time to prepare.

I had our nanny come to meet us first, for a chat. Then several times she was around with me there too, to go through our routines etc with me together and know where everything was, that kind of thing, and get to know the children more so that then when I was first leaving them alone with her I knew they were very happy and comfortable with her. You will get references etc. Try not to worry, you have lots of time to sort it and it can be done.

Another option is to ask local nurseries. They have qualified staff, obviously all DBS checked, and some do extra work babysitting/ weekends for extra money. Once my children went to nursery sometimes one of them would come and babysit so I could go for dinner with friends.

Also: absolutely the right thing to keep working! I can hear from the tone of your posts that you're feeling guilty about this already (!!) but don't! I only asked age to see if my experience was relevant, with having a nanny starting with us when my smallest one was 6 months. With both children I had to go back to work at that stage so they had a combinations of nannies and nursery. I felt so, so terrible about it but they have absolutely thrived and are now at school with many of the friends they made as babies. In fact one of my closest friends now, our children made friends at nursery and introduced us. 😆 So don't feel bad about having a nanny! A good one can become like an extra family member as ours has. And it sounds like you've got great family support as well which is brilliant (none of that going on here sadly 🤣). You will be absolutely fine, it will fall into place especially with you being so organised and prepared.

And my question about which Dad you meant was only because I'm a lone parent so wanted to offer support on that front too if you meant you were alone. No judgement here, in case my posts cane across wrong!

Best of luck with it all and congratulations!

@LostRahRah thank you for all your tips and insight. Sounds like you've got a great set up with your nanny. Handling all of this alone with two is incredible. Congratulations!

@Newjobformoremoney have downloaded Bubble now. Hoping you get in and find out average prices. Thank you for your direction!

Having a nanny can be a wonderful option, especially as your children grow older. We have been fortunate to have a nanny who has been with us since our kids were little, and they share a special bond. Integrating a nanny into your household gradually as your child reaches a certain age can work well. When my youngest was 6 months old, our nanny started taking care of them for a few early hours each week that I couldn't cover. It can take some extra research to find a nanny for ad hoc and weekend hours, and you may need to pay higher rates, but starting the process early will give you time to prepare.