Strange question...childminders

[sazzleevans]

Hi

I was chatting to one of the women in my office today and she said i should reserve a childminder now!! I am due end of Feb and will take 6months off work so thats reserving child care for Sep 07...Does that sound mad to you??

SARAH

 

[sarahg]

No! I am a childcare assessor and own a nursery school and you really do need to plan ahead! At my nursery we have a years waiting list. As for childminders, if they are very good, they will be full. They are restricted to how many children they can take and usually only one baby. Therefore if that childminder already has a baby and the parent is happy, they may not have availability for another baby for four years!! (when child leaves to go to school). Sometimes circumstances change and people move house so children leave at that point, but basically, you are limited in places by school uptake or children going to nursery etc.

It really doesn't hurt to research childminders in your area as they vary enormously. In our area I would recommend a network childminder every time as they need to be trained in childcare issues and care and be very up to date. Good luck!

 

[Ebony_Mommy]

Hi

I was chatting to one of the women in my office today and she said i should reserve a childminder now!! I am due end of Feb and will take 6months off work so thats reserving child care for Sep 07...Does that sound mad to you??

SARAH

arent u worried about ur child getting to 'know u'

just 6 months

 

[lizzymd]

Defo, baby spaces at private nurseries and childminders have long waiting lists, at least a year in some places. INVESTIGATE NOW.

 

[Tam]

Hi

I was chatting to one of the women in my office today and she said i should reserve a childminder now!! I am due end of Feb and will take 6months off work so thats reserving child care for Sep 07...Does that sound mad to you??

SARAH

arent u worried about ur child getting to 'know u'

just 6 months

It is not always possible for people to take more than the 6 months paid maternity, and in 6 months you would get to know your baby and vice versa........we still need to live and earn money, or run our own businesses etc! There are many people that dread and hate the thought of going back to work, but there may be no other choice for them!

I feel for these ladies.........but also there are people that want a working life too, nothing too demanding but something to keep them mentally stimulated, being away from your baby I think certainly makes you appreciate them more!

I have always been at home with my DD and there has been times I would love to work as especially when I was a single mum, I wouldn't get much adult conversation at all and it used to drive me nuts!

Everyone has different circumstances, and we do not know what they are, everyone makes decisions which are BEST for them!

 

[lauramumof2]

Hi

I was chatting to one of the women in my office today and she said i should reserve a childminder now!! I am due end of Feb and will take 6months off work so thats reserving child care for Sep 07...Does that sound mad to you??

SARAH

arent u worried about ur child getting to 'know u'

just 6 months

I went back to work last time after 4 months part time. My daughter knows me
I certainly would look into a childminder just now, they are only allowed one baby under 1 at a time so this would give you time to find and reserve/

 

[Dee1985]

i found my childminder when dior was 3months old, i was due back at work when she was 6months

 

[sazzleevans]

Hi

Thanks for all your postings. I will struggle to take 6 months off. Its strange but you can get 6 months off full pay for stress, sickness etc but for maternity you only get 3 months in my line of employment. The next 3 months i would be on SMP which i think is about £70 per week. SO taking the extra 3 months off work plu sfinding good child care is the best i can do and i wont be beating myself up over it!!!

I would love to be a stay at home mother but i need to work and i want to have a life as well and be a role model for my child. Yes, you can have a life and be a role model too by staying at home but I cant afford that. Well, not unless i totaly change my life to something which it isnt at the moment and i have worked very hard to be in a position to offer a good home to my child.

Anyway thanks for your postings. I think that has given me the support i need to start looking.

Sarah