what sort of childcare is best for me??

Question

i would like for my daughter to have some sort of childcare for maybe 3 hours a week, but maybe not every single week. is there a sort of childcare which is flexible like this where i can pay when i pick my daughter up and im not bind to some sort of contract??? i am from england by the way.please helpx

ive thought about a childminder but would they accept payment when i pick my daughter up? my daughter has never been in childcare before and i havent found any local information useful at all!

"chewystuff" yes i do think this would be good for my childs development because my child will be interacting and having fun with other children while i have time for me thus making me a hapiier mum for giving myself a break. this isnt "erratic" at all, my daughter loves going to new places and she is very sociable, i wouldnt leave her if she was clingy to me but i think it will be good for us both.i dont agree with parents who would prefer for their children to be stuck to their hip 24/7 as how is the child suppose to learn new social skills etc???

yeah the childcare would be so that i can clean up etc, if you knew my daughter!!lol she is very messy and its sooo hard to keep the place tidy when she's here!!lol i couldnt ask my friends to have her as they are tied up with their own children and i feel a bit cheeky.lol

Answer 1

you'd probably be better off finding someone who does in home day care.

Answer 2

Childcare like this is out there, you just have to find it.

I think our local neighbourhood creche offers something informal.

Failing that, Childminders can be very flexible. They all vary to what availability they all have. Each childminder chooses there own working hours.

They are limited to the amount of children they can have in the house at one time (average is generally 1 under 1 year, maximum of 3 under 5 years, 5-8 years varies, and over 8s are not limited.)
All childminders are inspected by OFSTED.
Childminders usually ask for payment in advance but that can mean on the day in question.

I would ring round all your local childminders and visit as many as you can, explain your situation and they may be able to help.
Get a feel of the people you are visiting, when you find someone you are happy and comfortable with ask for a trial session.

www.childcarelink.gov.uk is a good place to start
Hope that helps
Good luck

Answer 3

I used full-time nursery for my son from when he was 1 until 3 as I was at college full-time. When I finished my course I had the 6 week summer holidays off with him and enquired with his private nursery about letting him go one day a week just to keep him used to being in a nursery setting, ready for him to start part-time nursery school in the September. But the nursery said they don't accept children for just one day a week because they find they don't settle as well into the routines and play with the kids as well cos they're not one of the "regulars".
I understand where you're coming from, in that you want her to have that opportunity without it being all the time, but you'll probably find she enjoys it more if it is regular, because she'll know what to expect and fit in with the setting more. Why don't you see if there is a good nursery near you that will do 2 half-day sessions a week (that is min. most do), and just send her, see what happens and how it fits in with your life? Nursery's don't have year-long contracts, just a months notice normally so if it didn't work out it wouldn't be too bad. Personally, if you want the interaction and community setting I wouldn't use a childminder, because a lot of them only have a couple of kids at a time during the day, and they're less likely to accept a child for a little bit a week as they need the security of a steady income more than a nursery does who has dozens of kids. Check Ofsted website to make sure nursery is any good, www.ofsted.gov.uk

Answer 4

I'm wondering why you'd like to have childcare? If it's just to get a break and run errands, you might want to trade with a friend or neighbor who also has kids.

If it's for socialization, you might want to just go to place where there are a lot of other kids - children's museums, story time at the library, etc.

Daycare centers generally want to know your schedule and get payment in advance. If you want to go with a daycare center which might provide structure and learning (if that's what you're after) you might see if any in your area would take her one or two days a week and just get her used to that schedule.

If you want her to be in daycare, but you can't part with her, another option is to work at a daycare center PT and bring your child with you when you're there.

Answer 5

How old is your daughter? Nurseries attched to schools accept children from 2 1/2 nowadays. Another alternative is a creche, maybe one attached to a gym (good excuse to get fit!!).

It is a good idea to get your daughter socialised early on. So many children have the advantage (although some people will disagree) of going to day nurseries from babies where they learn social skills much earlier than those who are at home with their mum all day. Thats my opinion anyway!

Answer 6

Not quite sure where abouts you are but where i live i found a local creche (this was attached to one of those play centres) - you could simply drop off and pick up when you wanted. My daughter was 18 month old and had never been in childcare before and i found it a great step as she got used to being with other children and not with me. Maybe you could try ringing around local playgyms and asking if they have the facility?

Answer 7

it is difficult to find flexible childcare in the way that you would like it. most childminders/ nursery's will want you to pay each week to keep their place but for your peace of mind registered and regulated carers are the best way forward. i think (in my humble opinion) she would benefit most from going each week kids love routine and it is great for her social development. then when she is closer to starting school increase her sessions by one or two a week to make the change between home and school a little easier. however if you really don't want her to go every week try to find a friend to share the place with, one week on week off. hope this helps a little x

Answer 8

We have nurseries where you can just take them for a few hours a day. Have a look at
http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk
I sometimes just want a few hours away from my 6 month old daughter. It is important to get some time to yourself. Being a full-time mum is hard work. More than doing a normal full time job :)

Answer 9

Contact your local sure start they will be able to help you. You will find them in the phone book Its government funded you maybe able to do things for you through them such as courses whilst they look after your child on the same premises.

Answer 10

you should try pre school you can pick anytime for them to go and she will be mixing with other children and it would be getting her ready for when she goes to school my daughter goes twice a week from 9 till 1 and she loves it

Answer 11

There is no care like that that is any good. Good child care is booked and paid for way in advance. Do you really think that that sort of erratic care will be constructive to your child's development?