panicking about childcare

[number 2]

Hi,

We have a son of 16 months who has been with his childminder since last July and has always been very happy there (we've also known her for years which has been very comforting). However, on Thursday she dropped a little bombshell - she wants to give up minding as soon as possible to spend time with her own children - which I can completely understand, but obviously this puts us in something of a pickle. I am a teacher and she only worked term time, effectively saving us about ?1500-2000 a year and charged ?5 per hour, which I think was also very cheap.

I am thinking of nurseries but having just been to the open day at the Asquith nursery on Waveney Ave I was completely put off by the hard sell aspect of it. I know places tend to have HORRIFIC waiting lists so we may be out of luck. I also got horribly upset at the idea of putting our happy little boy into a nursery while at Waveney Ave.

We're on the Nunhead side of the Rye.

Any thoughts/advice anyone?

Thanks

[womanofdulwich]

try the simply childcare web site asap.advertise there and search too. term time only would suit a lot of carers.Good luck.

[number 2]

thanks woman of dulwich. will do

[Saila]

I completely understand as i've just been through the same experience as you.... also with the Asquith Nurseries

however i don't think that all nurseries are the same - apparently Mother Goose nursery at Greendale is nice

I was so put off by my experience at the Dulwich Asquith Nursery that we're now opting for a nanny-share which works out at approx ?50 a day

Try nannyshare.co.uk i know that there are currenlty families looking for someone to share a nanny with on that site and in the area (East Dul, Peckham and Camberwell)

Good luck!

[sledge]

HI

there is a nursery called Blossoms which is in Dunstsns road (east dulwich side of the rye). I think the nursery is open during term time only so would suit your needs, and is only about ?35-40 per day. It is small and very nice. Unfortunately, it didn't suit my needs as I needed care during the holidays but it might be worth a look.

Good Luck

[crystal7]

I'm a teacher too and I did visit 1 childminder who didn't charge for the holidays so they are out there. My (wonderful) childminder charges half in the school hols as a retainer. I'm happy to pay as it gives me the option of sending little one there if I need to. She has spaces too but lives in Walworth (very near my school) so maybe too far for you? PM me if interested.

[number 2]

I am a little overwhelmed by how helpful people have been here. Thank you all so much. Blossoms and the Greendale sound like a definite possibility. Crystal I will pm you re your childminder.

Thanks everyone, keep 'em coming!

[jaybee]

Hi Crystal7

I am looking for a new childminder as mine of 9 years is moving out of London and so we need one to look after our youngest who goes to school in Walworth. Would you be happy to give me her details? thank sin anticipation... jaybee