CALLING ALL SYDNEYSIDERS! I know it's not the most stimulating topic but PLEASE...

[bcsnowpea]

...tell me about childcare!

I'm about to move back to Sydney with DS (2y2m). He's been in a BIG daycare before, but more recently been with a child minder. I'd love him to stay in a similar home situation with just a few other kids, he seemed to really enjoy it and I liked the intimacy. BUT I have no idea how to go about finding that kind of thing in Sydney.
Is anyone in something similar, or knows how I can find that kind of thing?
We'll be living in Neutral Bay, so ideas about the north shore would be much appreciated!

Thanks so much in advance! We're off in just over a week, and I'm starting to worry about how to go about doing this. Eek!

I'm not in Sydney bcsnowpea but bumping for you.

I can't help you with the north shore, I'm afraid, but do know that in the inner west the council is the first place to check for child minders as they carry the list of all registered CMs in the area. I'd assume it's the same all over Sydney.

There don't seem to be as many CMs in Australia as in the UK, but it's worth a try. Nanny shares are another possibility and the local infant/child health clinic board is a good place to start with that. This site can be good for nanny shares too www.findababysitter.com.au/

Daycare can be very hard to access, so it's probably a good idea to start checking all types of vacancies now. Try this website too www.careforkids.com.au/

Good luck!

Horrific, in a word.

We moved back here in November. I tried to get DD into the local centre (smallish, not one of those mega-centres). The woman said oh yes, happy to add you to the waiting list, what is the estimated due date of the baby?

I said err, she's actually here and coming up to her first birthday, and the woman said it would be a waste of time even to go on the list - you don't get a place unless you ring the second you pee on the stick.

Nannies start at about $20 per hour cash in hand. Some will do a nanny-share with another local child. I think that's what we'll have to do.

It is tough. We moved back to Sydney from the US when DD was 2 and DS was about to be born - nightmare getting any sort of preschool, school or high school for 10 years hence sorted. I think childminders are also quite scarce, so a nanny share is a good idea. We've since moved back to London and are enjoying the availability of schools and nannies!

Thanks for the info guys, guess I'll start by checking with the local council. I guess I should feel lucky I don't have a job to go right into, so we've got some time to find the right fit while I look for work.

Really appreciate the responses!

flummery thanks so much for the links! They're both going straight to my bookmarks.
I think I've already found a couple of places that might be good, so hopefully this won't be as difficult as I first anticipated. Fingers crossed!

I'm in Brisbane and have found Family Daycare Australia very helpful.
Haven't booked mine in yet but am considering it as it looks quite good.
They offer home based care with registered providers so your child can be cared for in a home like setting, close to home and with only a very small number of other children (like maybe only 2 others). It's great because it's a lot more flexible than centre based care and your child will get a lot more individual attention. Website is:

www.familydaycare.com.au/index.html

EsmeWatson - just wanted to say I love your name. I loved country practice!
Sorry for the hijack