Childcare where do i start?!
in Baby
Long story about my work being arseholes (denied [promotion coz pregnant and now refusing part time hours) but I have decided to go back full time.
Money is tight and although ill be working full time i work on my own and am out and about so easy to sneak off as and when I need to plus the money is really good!
Really hate leaving lo but am lucky coz Mother in law doesnt work (bad back) hubby has day off in week and my parents work shifts...
ANYWAY...!
For one or two days lo will need a childminder WHERE DO I START??
She will be 9 months in March when i go back
Whats best childminder or nursery?
Where do i go to find out where they are?
How do you know if they are any good?
Any advice......???
[Modified by: mummythomas on 16 December 2008 18:51:02 ]
Money is tight and although ill be working full time i work on my own and am out and about so easy to sneak off as and when I need to plus the money is really good!
Really hate leaving lo but am lucky coz Mother in law doesnt work (bad back) hubby has day off in week and my parents work shifts...
ANYWAY...!
For one or two days lo will need a childminder WHERE DO I START??
She will be 9 months in March when i go back
Whats best childminder or nursery?
Where do i go to find out where they are?
How do you know if they are any good?
Any advice......???
[Modified by: mummythomas on 16 December 2008 18:51:02 ]
0
Replies
xxx
1.Make sure they are registerd with ofstead and ask to see there most recent certificate.
2. When you meet them make sure it is in there home.
3.Ask a really silly question such as 'my child really likes to watch tv, is it ok for you to let him/her watch it for most of the day' I know this sounds silly but someone asked my mum once and she was very nice but also very straight and said 'im really sorry but we tend to go out places in the day or do reading etc but if they have a favourite programme im sure we can work it in to our day so they can watch it' The woman said afterwards that she had asked to see what my mums reaction would be. If they are a good childminder they will be soft but honest with you.
http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/
Im personally going to be using a childminder. I want my lo to be looked after in a home environment and get more one on one care than in a nursery. I also personally feel that the staff:baby ratios in nurseries are too high. They can have 3 under 1 whereas childminders can only only have 3 under 5 (1 under 1).
Childminders are more flexible. My MIL works 6-2, 2-10 shifts so lo will only need a childminder for mornings one week and afternoons the week after.
this is a good site, you can veiw ofsted reports too..... gee, my old middle school is doing so poor!!!
The downside is it is more expensive (although will explain about that in a sec..) and he does tend to catch quite a lot of bugs.
The money side - we get almost all our costs back from CTC. I told them he was going to nursery, and as long as its one that is registered, they give you up to 80p of every pound it cost to send him there. It costs us about ??5 a week to send him for the full day. (you have to be working 16 hours a week min to qualify for the childcare element)
His full day routine starts at 8.30 when he gets in, and is given a big hug from one of the younger lasses there, then he takes her hand and off he goes without a backwards glance....
at 9am they get toast (and I'm told he'll eat a slice and half - after his two wheatabix at home at 8am)
then they have structured play till 10. At 10 they have either reading, tv, or outdoor play if the weather is ok, and then they get dinner at 11.30. They get a 3 course meal!!!
after dinner they have a nap if they have one and then when they wake up they have messy play either with water, sand or paints (and he's never come home dirty from it yet) then around 3pm-3.30ish they are supposed to have a snack - Ollie has started having his tea about 4pm so he has a sandwich , or another potion of hot food, plus fruit and anything else they're having, and he always eats well then too. We pick him up around 5, and he comes home happy and full of beans.
That's just our nursery though, and they are pretty good at sticking to individual time tables.
A childminder will have less children to focus their day on, but a friend of mine is one and she says that it is much harder to give the kids individual attention childminding them than at nursery (she started out in a nursery) as you're always thinking of everything at home, whereas at nursery you're just thinking about the kids. (although i chose nursery over her.... )
Sorry i've just waffled on there...
At the end of the day you'll pick the best one for you and you'll just have that feeling that they/it is right...
xxxx
I found my childminder of the weblink that MKT86 mentioned, she has her Ofsted certificates displayed in the house. The 4 I visited before picking all had files of letters from the parents of children she had previously cared for and I was able to contact them for references.
You will know when you have found someone you are happy to leave your child with.
Best of luck.
Lily loved today and didn't bat an eye lid when I snuck out of the room.
I think everyone's circumstances are different and it depends what is right for you and LO as to whether you choose nursery or a childminder. Good luck tho as it is a mine field out there! Don't be afraid to ask questions!
xxx