Childcare worries

[misskatie90]

Hey guys another question, writing on here has really helped my anxieties.
I'm 14 weeks, I plan to go back to work after seven months after baby is born.I work in a residential home for children so my days are 15 hours long with some sleep ins. Me and my partner are thinking about childcare options as we don't have family here. I've thought about nursery's and childminders but not sure what the best option is. I live in Kent so the prices for childcare are on the high side.
Does anyone have any information what worked well for them that could help me. Thanks in advance

I think it depends what's important to you. I needed long hours and wanted dd close to my office so that narrowed down my search to either childminders or private nurseries. I then looked at the options locally and there aren't any local childminders so looked at the different nurseries. Things that I then used to narrow my search were:

• opening hours
• Convinience of location including parking etc *menu
• ages of children in different rooms *franchise or not

If you need nursery to cover long shifts then one which is near a hospital can be handy

We always used nurseries because they don’t go off sick or take holidays. Also we needed the early starts. I also didn’t want my kids being taken on the school run everyday. But it’s all down to whatever feels right for you. Everyone has different feelings about it.

You go visit nurseries or child minders nearby, ask on fb for recommendations and see what you think. If nurseries are doing visits right now of course. Bear in mind there are often waiting lists, some of up to a year so don’t leave it late.