It's almost time to go back to work, and you've decided you need an extra pair of hands to help with your little ones. The question is....
It's almost time to go back to work, and you've decided you need an extra pair of hands to help with your little ones. The question is: what are the childcare options?
Too often, parents find themselves embarking on a particular childcare path recommended by a friend or an online forum, only to discover that it doesn't work for them and their family.
There are usually four categories of childcare available: childcare companies, babysitters, babysitters and family or friends. In this article, we'll break down each type of childcare, along with their pros and cons, to help you find the best solution for you and your family.
Option 1: Child care companies
Childcare companies include nurseries, crèches and crèches. Children are usually dropped off by their parents and are looked after by nursery staff throughout the day and participate in learning and development activities such as drawing, playing and interacting with other children of a similar age and singing songs. Most nurseries have a 'key staff policy' which means that your children will be looked after by a specific member of nursery staff who will report to you at the end of each day.
Nurseries are regulated by ousted and regularly inspected by official bodies to ensure they meet a certain standard of safety and staffing. All staff working in the nursery have been inspected by ousted and will be DBS checked and trained in Children's First Aid.
Many parents opt for nurseries because of their potential for social interaction. Your child learns to share and play with others (especially important if they have no siblings) and gets to know the nursery staff, giving them a sense of structure and familiarity away from home. It also allows you as a parent to connect with other adults, which can be helpful if you are unable to pick up or drop off your child one day.
However, nurseries have set opening and closing times and often charge extra if you pick up your child late. This can be a problem if you work shifts or have long hours, or even if you commute to work where it's possible to get stuck in traffic.
Another problem that comes with kindergartens is that one-on-one interaction is not always possible, leaving some children without the extra support they may need. They may not always get along with other children either, which is why they can be scared every day.
While many consider preschools to be an economical option, this is only the case if you are enrolling one child. The costs can add up very quickly if you have two or more children in daycare at the same time.
Finally, because nurseries mean your child will be interacting with other children, they are more likely to get sick and bring an infection into your home. This is especially true in the current coronavirus pandemic, which has caused the closure of kindergartens across the country. Kindergartens will also not accept sick children who may leave backup care at the last minute.
Option 2: Babysitters
Similar to the nurseries, caregivers work with children from different families, but this time from the comfort of their own homes. They are all Ousted, DBS and social services checked. They can be found on social media groups and through local council and government websites.
As the carers look after a variety of children, this means that your child will be with children of different age groups, which, like at nursery, means that they will be able to develop their social and interpersonal skills. Childminders are also likely to have children of their own, which means they will be able to empathize with you as a parent and better meet your child's needs.
Caregivers also look after far fewer children than crèches, which means your child is more likely to get more attention and bond with their carer.
However, babysitters cannot always guarantee backup care if they are unwell or on vacation, which can leave you without backup care at the last minute. As carers are usually part of a network, they may recommend another carer for this time, but this is not always the case.
As childminders are based in their own homes, there is no guarantee that they will be flexible in terms of pick-up or drop-off. There is also no guarantee that you will find a good carer in your area. Reputable babysitters are likely to be booked for months, provided there are babysitters in the area and close enough to your child's school and your workplace that drop-off and pick-up won't interfere with your commute.
Option 3: Family members
Family members are a popular option for those in the enviable position of having them around, whether it's a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or even a (much older) sibling. Family members are usually happy to look after your children for free and provide a familiar face while you are away. If an aunt or uncle has their own children of a similar age, this can be a great opportunity for children to develop the social skills they would have in other child care settings.
However, many working parents are likely to have moved away from their families for work, meaning this option is not always available. Even if they have family members nearby, there is no guarantee that they will be available to help, especially if they are also working. There is also a risk of disease transmission to older relatives, and factors such as shielding may mean they are not available.
Option 4: Nannies
Nannies provide one-on-one care for your child in their familiar home environment and are fully focused on attending to their needs, from feeding and cleaning to educational activities and play. Because it is in a children's home, the nanny can adapt to the child's schedule and make it as convenient as possible.
The nanny is also a familiar face and can very quickly feel like part of the family. This is especially the case with our best nannies at my tamarin. Because we focus on matching parents and babysitters based on both objective and subjective criteria, we've seen placements last 2.5x longer than the rest of the market.
There are also logistical and scheduling advantages to hiring nannies in the UK, especially if your nanny is live-in. Having their nanny services available at all times means less worry if there's a traffic jam, or you have to work late, and babysitters can be especially helpful in putting your baby to bed if needed. You also won't have to worry about taking time off work for trips to the dentist or doctor, and babysitters will generally be flexible about picking up from after school clubs and events.
Nannies can also help with light household chores such as washing and cooking (or more general household duties in the case of a UK nanny), meaning you have more time in the evening to spend quality time with your family.
The main reason many parents hesitate to hire a babysitter is the cost. This is a valid concern, but only if you have one child; with two or more children, nannies can be cost-effective and much cheaper than nurseries or other forms of childcare.
Many parents also worry that their child may not be well socialized and may have limited opportunities to interact with other children. If this is a concern of yours, talk to your babysitter - most are happy to take your little ones to play centers and parks or arrange play dates, so they get the interaction and social skills they need.
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