childcare near home or work?

[anne74]

I am some way off actually having to make this decision as I haven't even finished work yet (!) but I was wondering what people's thoughts were about where to have childcare. My work is about 30 mins by car from home and I have options at both ends. Childcare near home is likely to be cheaper as it's further out of London but possibly less convenient. I was thinking that for the child to be in a nursery near work is really convenient in case there's a problem and there's no issue of getting stuck in traffic on the way to picking him/her up. However, if I'm on leave or days off etc. do I really want to have to drive 30 mins to take the little one to the childcare when it would be so much more convenient if it was nearer home.

I also can't work out if a childminder or a nursery would be better. I think a childminder would be more flexible and cheaper but wonder about the stimulation of the other children in a nursery. My child will be 5/6 months old when I will need childcare of some kind.

What are your thoughts?

My DCs are in my work nursery. This is better for me as DH works quite a long way away, and we have no family near. Therefore it is just me doing the dropping off and picking up. It is much easier if you have to pick them up quickly cos they are ill, or if you want to pop in to see their little Xmas concert in your lunch hour for instance. I feel more comfortable being close to them.

The downside is if you are sick for instance, and would like to lie in bed whilst the kids are in nursery, but are not well enough for two one-hour roound-trips.

I think if you have family near your home, or you intend sharing the dropoff/picks up with your DH, then a nursery near home is the best option.

Close to home is better. Children often hate travel or are more likely to fall asleep just when you dont want them to.

Plus if you are ill or have day off alone its easier to get them to childcare so you can get back to bed (been in that situation before!)

My DS was 9 mths when he started nursery. He loved it. He also has breakfast at nursery which I provide which save so much time and mess at home!

I think closer to home is better so that you can work from home one day a week and also so that you're not having to cart them about which can be stressful.

As for CMs vs nurseries - my CM is very laid back about me dropping off early or being a few minutes late but nursery isn't (my DS does a bit of both). I had a tyre blow out on the motorway last week and was 45 mins late collecting him which my CM was absolutely fine about but I know nursery would have been fuming and charged me an arm and a leg.

But that aside, it really depends on whether you can find a good CM and/or nursery - often that's what it comes down to. And there will be other children at the CM's too, but possibly not babies of a similar age.

I'd vote for near home too.... you may find that you grow to love your 'small person free' commute.... - I do all my best thinking then :-)

Also we love our childminder. Cheaper, flexible and generally lovely. DS get's the constancy of care of one person, plus loads of stimulation from other kids at playgroups etc - more like he'd get if he was at home with me.... The childminder takes DS out and about more than a nursery could - parks and things every day which is fab as he's an outdoorsy sort of boy...

Good luck with your choices....

Can I second or third close to home? Especially if you are thinking at any point of having another child! You don't want to have to change all sorts of things when there will be more change for your child. Also it is easier if you need someone else to go and pick them up at any point.