A simple explanation of childcare for those who want to go back to work full time?

[polly30]

Hi

I'm trying to understand how the nursery and pre-school thing works, up until they go to school. After one year's maternity leave I will be going back to work four days a week. There's lots of things I'm not clear on and would love it if anyone can help. Here are all my questions

First question - how far out from the child starting at the nursery do you need to put your child down for a private nursery to get a place?

Second question - is a nanny share likely to cheaper than a private nursery (4 days a week 8am-6pm)

Third question - what age do children become eligible for some govt funded care and does this state funded care mean moving them from the nursery to a pre-school, or is it the same thing?

Fourth question - if pre-school does not cover the whole day, do I need to find another carer to look after them outside of pre-school hours or do pre-schools provide a 'private' facility for that?

It is just too confusing! Lots of info seems to be based on the fact that you will be around and able to do part time, but I would like to work 9-5, four days a week.

Thank you for your help

You can put your child's name down as soon as you like. Ratios of careres are higher for younger children so it is easier to find a place for a three year old than it is for a baby. You ned to find out which nurseries you like and ask them when they have places (or how long a waiting list is)

Nanny share versus nursery cost probably depends on where you are. 4 days at our nursery is £144.

A lot of private nurseries will accept the free places - you get 15 hours free for the term after the third birthday. For me with a dd born three days in to the summer term that hasmeant it's paid from September.

Finally - some pre-schools may offer some sort of bridging care for lunchtime but you'll probably need to look at a childminder who can do the pick ups. When you look at school see if they have an after school club or you'll need a c/minder for that as well.

1. Depends on the nursery. Some will have a space for the hours you want, others won't. Just ask them.

1. Not sure, never used a nanny, but again depends where you live. London nannies very expensive.

1. Term after they are 3 you get 15 hours. This is usually 5 sessions of 3hrs. Private nurseries usually offer this. They either deduct the cost of 15hrs of your weekly bill or average it out. The free sessions are only in term time.

1. Some pre schools are attached to schools and only operate term time for the set hours. Others are similar but located in village halls or church halls etc. I think most working parents would opt for a private nursery set up that obviously is open all yr round. Otherwise you need child minded or nanny to pick up from pre school.

That's really helpful thank you, I should have said we are living in London (SW) so do have the issue of it all being a bit more expensive.

Thanks for making it clearer.

When to put the name down depends on local waiting lists. Ours are horrible and it took more than a year and a half to get 2 days at one nursery. His first nursery (where we only needed 1 day as I used a nanny for 4 days) had about a year waiting list.

I've decided that, if we ever have another, I'll put his/her name down as soon as they're born, in case I need a space. When I had ds, I wasn't even sure whether I wanted to work when he was small, so was very lucky that I put his name down when I found a good nursery.

I think nanny share would be more expensive, but for some children / longer hours might be nicer for a very young child. I like nursery for ds, but my decision for next child would depend on their personality / my hours.

At this stage, I think your best bet would be to contact local nurseries (the council has lists, if I remember correctly) and go and see for yourself. To cover the nanny angle - do you know anyone who has a nanny that you could ask in real life? Perhaps invite nanny and charges over for playdate to see how your dc might fit in with such a set-up? (obviously explain why you do that so then extra questions etc won't seem so odd)

1. as soon as possible because sometimes the more popular ones have a 2 year waiting list so start visiting nonw

1. depends on nanny and nursery

1. age 3 which is 2.5 hours a day which pays for about 1 3/4 days of private care really

look at childminders too

Where in SW. London are you?

For a one year old, your only nursery option will be a private day care nursery. Your child would start in the baby room, and then move through small toddlers and big toddlers to preschool, with funded hours being taken off the bill once the required age is reached.

I've never heard of a free-standing preschool offering extended hours, so if you chose one of those when your child is older, you would need someone to do pick ups (nanny, CM, au pair).

Your council website will have lists of all nurseries and also all registered childminders. Start there, and start looking round now.

I've only ever used CM for daycare whilst I am at work.

My DC went to pre school nursery from about the age of 3 (give or take a few months). This is usually a 3 hour session. I tended to send them there on the days I didn't work or if it was a work day then my CM took them there and picked them up and looked after them for the rest of the day.

i think nannies seem to work out a better value option when you have more than one child, then nursery fees are sky high.

I booked my nursery place (at a nursery highly recommended by friends) when I was about 5 month's pregnant.

In my experience, a nanny doing a nannyshare in the SW London area gets £11 net per hour on average. This is split between the two families doing the share. So if you did an equal share you would be paying £5.50 net per hour per family.
If you were sharing with a family who had 2 children (perhaps one approx the same age as yours and an older one who isn't around much in term time) then it is usual to do a 60/40 split - so you would only pay £4.40 net per hour.
You say you will be working 9am to 5pm for 4 days a week so you are going to have to add at least another hour and maybe another 2 hours to your working hours to cover getting to work in the morning and returning at the end of the day. So you will need childcare for a minimum of 9 hours and it is more likely to be 10 hours per day (unless you work very locally and always finish promptly.
If your share of the nanny's wage is going to be £4.40 net per hour, then you would pay £39.60 net per day for a 9 hour day or £44.40 for a 10 hour day. So this would be £158.40 or £177.60 net for 4 days a week.

These figures are NET figures. You will find most nannies talk in terms of net pay i.e. what they want to get in their hand. So £11 net per hour will cost you and the other family approx £14 gross. This covers the nanny's net wage and her tax and her national insurance plus the employer's national insurance which has to be paid on top. So to work out what total you are likely to have to pay in a nannyshare, you need to split the gross cost.
Private nurseries can vary a lot in cost, particularly in SW London. But I think you will find that you would be paying anywhere between £40 and £70 per day for the hours you will need and don't forget to ask about what their policy is if you are late picking up. Often they can have a very hefty fine system.
If finances can stand it, I would consider both the nursery option and the nanny share option and also consider a registered childminder (they are usually the cheapest option but a really good one can combine all the best elements of nursery care and of nannies). Hopefully you will then find either a lovely nursery or childminder that can give you a place to start when you go back to work or a great nanny and share family living in your area. And then you can decide what to do.
I have been helping parents and childcarers for a very long time in the work I do and it is quite clear to me that parents should go with the option that they feel is not only right for their little one but that also feels right for them. That is equally important - if you are not happy, then your child will pick up on it and not settle. You want to be able to go off to work not feeling anxious or stressed and knowing your child is going to be happy, stimulated and well looked after. Good luck!

hey polly30
I am also in SW11 and been going through the same dilemma as you. Going back to work in January and not sure whether to send daughter to nursery or hire a nanny.
What have you done?