Childminder or nursery??

[attentionseeker1]

Has anyone tried both? Our first child is due in October and we will need full time childcare but unfortunately our salaries won't stretch to a nanny!

I'm wondering if we've missed the boat with getting on the waiting list for a decent nursery but then again when I looked on childcare.co.uk, there were hardly any reviewed childminders from ED on there either so I'm guessing a lot of those are also full!

We will need the childcare from Aug 2014 which seems like ages away but apparently not if the waiting list stories are anything to go by!

[claire-croft]

I'm a registered childminder and I believe the villa and the sure start nursery on camberwell grove are relly good , phone and ask if you can have a look around also have plenty of questions to ask , just follow yoir gut instinct and u'll be fine ,same with childminders have a look around same again ask alot of questions, then you can decide whats best for you .Good luck with your search take care.Claire

[oimissus]

The Villa doesn't take children under 2 but it has a long waiting list. If you are interested in it, ring and ask them when their list opens after your baby is born, and get them down asap. We thought Camberwell Grove children's centre looked fantastic but we missed the boat there (prob worth registering at birth there too, they take children from 6 months), but very happy at The Villa.

I think some places allow you to register before the birth, some not till the baby is born. Worth having a look around now and registering interest with any you like (you may have to pay a fee to do this).

The council can send you a list of all registered childminders in your area.

Most people I know did childminder or nanny-share when the children were babies, and moved in to nursery post-2 years.

[katgod]

I have fine nursery childminder and nanny. Horses for courses , every family different, and family's needs change over time. Do not think you need to panic as places do come up. Our first choice nursery had us on waiting list for a year and still did not have a place when I needed to go back, but I got a place elsewhere at short notice that we were happy with. Baby 2 did a mixture of nursery and childminder, then the nursery closed and we got a nanny. Baby 3 has only ever had a nanny. Socially and developmentally you can't tell the difference, the ones who went to nursery are def not in any way inferior!!! Visit, visit again, consider journey times, flexibility, how flexible your employer is, look at logistics again and then apply for flexible working so you can have even half a day at home.

[canela]

There are loads of childminders in East Dulwich and you will definately be able to get a place with one you like if you leave a couple of months for looking. There are loads of nurseries too but in my experience you have to get your name down asap as some of the waiting lists are very long.

[Alijones]

My tip for a nursery would be to register with 5 or 6, then nearer the time bombard them with reminders. I was told none had space and long waiting lists but then 3 were chasing me once my baby had already started at my favourite one. Keep emailing or calling them from 6 months before you want the place and you will probably be offered a place 3 months before you go back to work. Good luck!

[attentionseeker1]

Hmm I'm thinking maybe a childminder would be best to start with as the baby would be with the same person exclusively every day ( with other children of course )

If you call the council for a list is it just a list of names and numbers and then you verify against the Ofsted website?

[canela]

if you search the family classifieds section you should get a load of local child minders.

[Convex]

I would recommend you look at both. I was set on a childminder (and found a lovely one) but actually when I was offered a place at a nursery I suddenly just felt that was the right choice for us.

So look at all the options, re nurseries it's never to early to get on the lists, and yes following up is essential.

[minder]

attentionseeker ALL nurseries/childminders are governed by Ofsted and can't operate unless given their URN (Unique Reference Number). If you have this then you can go online to the Ofsted website and get a feel for what's on offer.

As a childminder, Southwark will only include you on their list if you have a vacancy, so not all Southwark childminders are included.

If your baby/toddler is happy with a childminder then I would say keep them there until ready to start reception class.