Chicken bald back

[JellyBean2605]

I had my baby on the 12th of Feb, a little girl called Juliet (and if i can ever get photoshop to work i could post some pics). i'm trying to find childcare for her when she is over a year old and am struggling to decide which to go for. we are very limited in our area for childcare, there is only one nursery within reach that will take a 1 year old, they were initially recommended to us by a work colleague but he has now withdrawn the recommendation saying he feels they are too interested in making money. we viewed the place but felt the £50 a day price tag wasn't really worth what you got. I've also looked on the local council list of childminders and found two nearby, one has an OFSTED outstanding rating but is very popular so already has a waiting list, the other has a good rating and has spaces for next year. i haven't met either of them yet, just made enquiries.

i'm just wondering if anyone has any experience as to which is best? i want her to be well cared for but don't want to miss out on nursery education.

[soapdragon]

Firstly congrats on the arrival of your lovely little one! Looking forward to seeing some pics of Juliet when photoshop is playing ball!!!!

 

I have two boys aged 11 and 8 and have worked both as a private nanny and also as the PA for the CEO of a Nursery Management company so think that I can prob see things from all sides, if that helps!

 

Nurseries can be wonderful but you have to be absolutely convinced that the particular nursery that you are considering is able to meet the needs of your child, your family and your work commitments (ditto childminder too, of course!) Its really important to talk to other parents whose children attend the same setting to get an honest view of the facilities and care available.

 

Also you need to meet with the Nursery Manager, who should give you plenty of time and opportunity to look round and ask any questions that you want to, especially with regard to how established routines are respected and supported, how they would deal with a child who bites (this can be a very revealing query; some children do bite and its no refection on the child/parent but interesting to hear how the nursery would cope with this as might well give you an insight into their policies) etc and look at the facilities on offer and various provisions for all ages...not just the room that Juliet would be in to start with. Also chat to staff. Ask about what you would need to provide; some nurseries need full nappy change kit etc whilst others include these things and it can make a difference cost wise. What is their food like; cooked fresh on the premises....or not. How do they approach weaning and would yu need to send in your own weaning foods (ditto query to childminder!)?

 

Exactly the same with childminders; visit....in order that you can make a fair comparison ask all the same questions of the childminder and ask if you can chat to some of her 'clients'. Before leaving Juliet with anyone you need to be absolutely sure that you have every confidence in the person/s who will be taking care of her.

 

There is nothing to stop you putting Juliet's name on the waiting list for the very popular childminder; you do not have to take the place when it is offered but it may give you peace of mind in the interim to have her name on the list; if the childminder is so popular then she will have no problems filling places.

 

Go and look at the nursery and both childminders, ask those questions and form your opinions. Go back again, if you feel the need to. Equally, there is no reason why Juliet should miss out on nursery education...both mine attended nursery but not until they were 3 or 3.5 so she could always start off with a childminder them nursery when she is older; some childminders also take and collect children from their local nurseries (at least two in our village do!)

 

Hope that helps; Good luck.

[Grandmashazzie]

I would think if you can find a good childminder they are worth their weight in gold. IMO nurseries are businesses and as such your child is just one of.When they are under 3 I think they need as much one:one as possible,rather than be in a room of other little ones watched over by a couple of staff. I do have experience of both with my own and foster children and as said previously there can be good and bad in both and very often you will just instinctively get a ' vibe ' that this is right for your little one.

[Janepie33]

Please please choose a childminder!

 

I have worked with children for more than 30 years, as a nanny, childminder, in a day nursery, a pre school, a reception class and now as a Portage Home Visitor so have had experience from all areas - and I also have 2 grown up children of my own!

As has been said before, many of the big nursery chains these days just seem to be out to make money and often have a very high turnover of staff - usually young girls who haven't really decided what they want to do and haven't realised how difficult (and boring!) looking after very young children can be.

 

In my opinion, young children (especially the under 2s) need to be cared for in a small family environment with a familiar trusted adult with whom they are able to bond and make a relationship. If there are other children of mixed ages, all the better - children learn so much from each other. Some parents worry about their child forming a close relationship with a different adult, but experience has shown me that this only enhances the child's development.

 

I have been working in a reception class (4 - 5 year olds) for the past 20 years and over time, I have noticed that the children who either stayed at home with family or had a childminder or nanny are much more socially confident with both adults and children and tend to form good friendships and quickly learn the school rules such as following adult instructions! They might not be so academically advanced at the beginning of the school year, but they sure are at the end of the year!

 

The best thing to do is go and look at the nursery and a variety of childminders and see how you feel. You will know the right place when you find it. Please don't be put off by a childminder who has less than an outstanding rating - I used to assess childminders for the National Childminding Association in the past and I have known many childminders who gave outstanding care and attention to the children they cared for, but failed to get outstanding because one or pieces of paperwork were not in place.

 

Good luck with your search. It's such a difficult choice to make. As others have said before, talk to other parents who used the services and pop in for random visits. A good setting will be good all the time and not just when visitors are planned!

[JellyBean2605]

Thanks for all the advice, I am leaning more towards a childminder, my little brother and sister were looked after by one and have fond memories.

[soapdragon]

For a very young child this would be my pref option but then you can look at a nursery when Juliet is older. There are several childminders in our village and they take their charges to and from the little mornings 'only nursery'.

 

Just look at all the options and go with what you feel most comfortable with! Good luck!

[Willow]

I'm going to put a vote for a nursery but make sure it is one you are happy with. At nursery you get to know other working mums and that support network has been invaluable to me the last 19 years!

 

When they were younger we shared cover of inset days etc. had friends to do days out with as the children were friends. Those friends have always been my emergency cover when a work crisis hits as they know what thats like in a way the lovely other mums from school with part-time or no jobs never really understand. we've been there for the friends going through divorce and bereavement, talked more honestly with each other about operations and other health issues. Our children have been doing major life stages at the same time at different schools so we've been able to discuss issues, compare notes and get support on school issues with some perspective. We all have other groups of friends as well but we have nearly 20 years of life experience together now.

 

I'm going on holiday this year with 2 other mums from that time, 5 teenage/20yr old lads (and my husband)