What to do when it comes to childcare

When it comes to childcare, it can be an absolute minefield. Questions fly around your head like: When should you look for childcare? What age do you need childcare from, and how on earth are you going to afford it?!

I am hoping that in this blog post I may help you find some clarity and understanding in working out what childcare would work best for you and actually what there is out there.

Looking at childcare, there are three main options: Nanny, Childminder, and the main one, Nursery. They all have their amazing pros and cons, ranging in pricing as well as support and how they would fit in with your family. Here is a little bit of a breakdown of each option to help you find the best option that would work for you.

Childminders

There is not much information surrounding childminders, which is such a shame. Childminders can be a great childcare option that definitely needs to be thought about when you are making the decision.

Childminders work from their home. They can take 3 children under 5 years old or 6 children if they are over the age of 5. The cost averages around £8-£10 a child per hour. You have more flexibility around hours and, depending on the childminder, flexibility.

Childminders have to follow similar guidelines to a nursery, such as qualifications, Ofsted, safeguarding, etc. They have to track development too. This is standard for any childminder.

Childminders all vary; you can have some that are more like a nursery but in a home environment, or more like those where you are going to a friend's house with toys, etc. They still have to ensure they have targeted activities to spark the children's interest. They may also take them out to playgroups and parks, which can be good too. They can also hire people to help them, usually younger individuals who want to pursue childcare and learn on the job or want to earn a small income while studying. This is normal in childcare.

Some bigger childminders may offer food; some even offer food to parents too, depending on their work style. The average is usually that they provide a snack and drinks, and you provide a lunch. Childminders are something you could use long-term; for example, they can take 2-year funding and 3-year-old funding too. They also operate around school hours. They can legally take children until they are 11 years old. So when your little one is older, you could drop them off at the childminders, and they could take them to school and pick them up if you are unable to do so.

The main pros are that it's flexible and there are so many styles of childminding that you can find something that suits you. I personally find it more tailored to the family and child. I also feel it's good value for money and cost-effective in the world of overpriced childcare.

Cons: If they take time off or are sick, you may not have childcare. They may not have the times you need, especially if you require early mornings or late evenings.

Nanny

Nannying is sometimes overlooked as there is occasionally a stigma attached to the job. Nannies, depending on your family setup, could actually be more affordable than a nursery, as well as providing tailored support throughout the hiring process.

First off, with a nanny, you can set the hours and create a dream list, allowing you to develop something bespoke to your family (of course, within reason; you may not find the "dream" person, but someone close enough). You can control the hours and have more of a say in who you hire.

If you opt for a self-employed nanny, be aware that the nanny would either need to be temporarily working for you or they would have to support two nanny families individually or together. A self-employed nanny means you pay a certain amount, and they handle taxes, etc. You may pay a little more net to cover administration and the time that goes into it.

An employed nanny is someone you hire to work in your home. You, as the family, would be in charge of taxes and annual leave, etc. Don’t let this put you off, as there are amazing services that can help you every step of the way, such as Nanny Tax.

Prices range from £17 to £25. Personally, if you want a good nanny, you should look for someone around the £17 mark or higher to ensure you have a good, professional, loving nanny. (Especially if you go through an agency, they will guide you to around £18 to £20.) It definitely is a lot, but with a nanny, they become part of the family and can grow with you if you expand your family. They can also work more flexible hours and offer activities for your little one inside and outside the house.

The main highlight of a nanny is that they can be tailored to support your family. They can be with your family for a long time. They are also great for wrap-around care for school children, as well as providing support during school holidays. A nanny can be a great extension to the family and, quite honestly, can be something worth investing in if you feel it is right for your family.

Pros:

It's more tailored to your family. You get to have someone you trust in your home who is able to offer a unique experience you can't get in other childcare services.

Cons: The cost can be greater.

If they are sick, you are out of childcare that day

Can’t utilise free funding with a nanny.

Can take a while to find the perfect nanny for your family.

Nursery

Nursery is the main form of childcare in this country. A lot of the support from the government is tailored to nurseries, and nurseries can come in all shapes and sizes.

Nursery fees can be a huge range depending on where the nursery is based, how long you need, what they offer, as well as what funding looks like. Also, please be aware you still have to pay for days you are not in for. For example, holidays you may take, sick days, and even bank holidays.

Pros: gets children ready for school. Can create amazing bonds with children. Nurtures and tracks development.

Cons: can cost a lot. Not flexible with days or timings. Can't take school-age children.

Still Feeling stuck?

I hope just a little snippet explaining each main point of childcare is helpful. Of course, if you need more information or just guidance on where to look or how to find the right childcare for you, then do not hesitate to reach out.

I have an hours call where we can go into detail about your needs and what may work best for you. It will be a tailored meeting, including a follow-up call and a PDF with helpful tips for transitioning to childcare.