Childcare thoughts and questions MEGATHREAD

[Benneh 10]

hmmmm, I completely unaware of the cost of any of these options aswell..

[busymum3 10]

Tricky one this. Definetely be more difficult finding childcare if you do different shifts each week, all providers would find it easier if you have set days, but saying that they will often work around you. Cost of childcare you'd be looking at on average between £3.00 and £4.00 per hour. If you are wanting a nursery place they tend to have waiting lists so you could put your little ones name down now. With childminders and nannies you would need to look nearer the time so they would be clearer on their availability (I'm a childminder and know that anything can happen within a few weeks let alone months). I'd advise perhaps March next year. Good luck

[teeny 10]

nannies are paid slightly more ! In my present job I am paid well above the average for sheffield at £16 per hour and my previous job of 17 years I was paid £10 an hour.

 

some nannies knowin advance their posts are ending as children start school etc.

[Lily1 10]

You could also try ringing round a few nurseries to ask if they would accommodate your different working patterns. Unfortunately I don't think many nurseries would be able to accommodate this but I know that my friend was in a similar situation where both hers and her husbands working shifts changed on a weekly basis and she managed to find a nursery (I think at Chancet Wood) that allowed her to alter her childs nursery days to fit into their working pattern.

 

Good luck

[busymum3 10]

nannies are paid slightly more ! In my present job I am paid well above the average for sheffield at £16 per hour and my previous job of 17 years I was paid £10 an hour.

 

some nannies knowin advance their posts are ending as children start school etc.

 

You wouldn't get that for just one child would you? If so I'm in the wrong job! The rate i quoted was for each child, I can care for three under fives as any one time and upto 5 under 8's.

[teeny 10]

You wouldn't get that for just one child would you? If so I'm in the wrong job! The rate i quoted was for each child, I can care for three under fives as any one time and upto 5 under 8's.

 

when I started this last job there were 2 children and now only one at home and so yes I do get that for one child. In my previous post for 4 i got £400 take home pay for 4 days per week that was 8 years ago!

I also get paid £150 for 2 nights over night stays when both parents are on call.

[yesplease 10]

I would appreciate any thoughts on choosing between a nursery and childminder for my one year old. I am going to work three days a week and so need to decide which is the better option for me. im located in s11 so would also be grateful for any suggestions for good nursery's in the area.....thanks!

[claire1976 10]

Depends on your daily hours and how flexible you need your childcare to be. Nurseries tend to be more expensive but good social experiences for your little one. If you have a noise sensitive child like mine then getting them to have their regular nap in nursery can be difficult. I opted for a childminder with my first son as I liked the idea of more one-to-one attention, it was more affordable and she was more flexible if my hours altered each week. I liked that my childminder had one or two other of various ages so gave my son company and good socialisation, she also took him to toddler groups so he made new friends.

Think you need to make a list of whats important to you and your child in terms of daily care and then weigh up the options.

[busymum3 10]

Depends on your daily hours and how flexible you need your childcare to be. Nurseries tend to be more expensive but good social experiences for your little one. If you have a noise sensitive child like mine then getting them to have their regular nap in nursery can be difficult. I opted for a childminder with my first son as I liked the idea of more one-to-one attention, it was more affordable and she was more flexible if my hours altered each week. I liked that my childminder had one or two other of various ages so gave my son company and good socialisation, she also took him to toddler groups so he made new friends.

Think you need to make a list of whats important to you and your child in terms of daily care and then weigh up the options.

 

I'd second everything Claire said. Visit some settings and go with what feels right for you and your child. Good luck.

[Saff 10]

Personally a childminder was better for my son. He started at a nursery and they basically said it wasn't the right the place for him because he got so upset (plus other things I wasn't happy about). He was a lot better with a childminder. I liked the home setting and the fact it was a consistent carer. I also live in S11 and there are loads around here who meet in the park and at playgroups etc. Collegiate Montessori is popular and the Montessori which are both near psalter lane.

[littlemissy 10]

We opted for a nursery. I always prefered this option as my LO is a very lively, active little one who, I think, gets more out of a nursery than she would a child minder. She is very sociable and has lots of other children her age around her. She absolutely loves it there and is always desperate to get in the door.

 

However, we also found a really lovely one we fell in love with and that helped sway our decision. If we felt the same about a childminder we met then we would've put her there.

 

My advice would be visit nurseries, meet child minders and then make a decision on who you would like to look after your child. You may really love a nursery and decide on that, or you may really like one of the childminders and be completely comfortable with that option. You won't really know until you start meeting the people you will be trusting with your child.

[yesplease 10]

thanks so much for your thoughts everyone. I have only visited two nurseries so far and nearly came away crying at one! it felt like something out of Annie! I think i was worrying cos others from work who have children have just said 'you will know when you see the right one' which i obviously havent done at the moment..i guess its normal to feel apprehensive.....