Childcare - most cost effective option?

auburnmama

Hi,
I am going back to uni next September to do midwifery. Iam a single parent and have no family within 100miles, but I do have good friends and my daughter's godparents. I cant rely on them for everything, but they have agreed to do nights for me (unless I go down the aupair/nanny route)

I just wondered if anyone had advice on the different types on childcare, namely:

Au Pair
live-out/live-out Nanny (what is the cost difference)
nursery
childminder

I will have 3 terms a year, and 3 blocks per term. in the first year, I will have one 6-7 week placement a term (so three a year!) which will involve flexible hours (either 7am-3pm; 12pm-8pm, or 9pm-8am if on call). The rest of uni time is 10-4.

From what I have discovered so far, nurseries are all about the same price. Likewise, childminders - although childminders charge an obvious excess for nights
Au Pairs and Nannies I have no experience of - what is a reasonable amount to pay?
Just doing the sums and saving some cash before I start back!
Thanks if you can help or advice me in any way.

funky-footprints

I have just started back at college,and my daughter nearly 2 is in the college creche.

I pay £26 per day, once she is 2 this will fall to £20 a day. The college crech is a lot cheaper than private nurseries i my area. They have a means test where you can get help, there are girls on my course, single mums who pay £1 a session !!!

Most private nurseries/creche start at 8am and finish at 6pm, college creche runs from 9am until 4pm to suit students

My friend pays her nanny £8 an hour ! and works to suit her hours, as she is a docor they are similar to your midwifery hours.


Does the uni you are going to have a creche/nursery ? will your family and close friends be able to take your child to your chosen childcare provider for you ??

Ive not known of a childminder doing over nighters ? ?

best of luck with your studies.
xx

clairec79

Au pair is probably best for you (providing you have the spare room as they have to have a room of their own) as I know a few midwives who use that method for the shift reasons.

I have to say though are you sure those shift times are right? As there is an hour missing from 8-9pm and no time for handover. Mine are 7-2.30, 2 - 9.30 or 9.10 - 7.30

Oldernotwiser

Presuming that you'll be paying for your child care with the Child Care Grant, you should bear the following in mind:

Types of childcare that count as registered or approved

If you’re living and studying in England, you can apply for the Childcare Grant if you use the following types of childcare:

• childcare providers registered with Ofsted
• childcare provided by a school out of school hours - on school premises or on premises that are covered by Ofsted's inspection of the school
• childcare provided by a care worker or nurse from an agency registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (this type of childcare can be provided in the child’s own home)
• childcare provided by an approved foster carer (the care must be for a child who is not being fostered by the foster carer)

For more about Ofsted registered childcare, see ‘Choosing childcare'

If you choose any other option you'll have to fund it yourself.

Hope this helps you to choose.

auburnmama

hi, and thanks for the replies.

The uni does have a nursery. BUT, it is the same price per day (£42, before deductions!), the private one (busy bees) has a better ofsted report, and it is quite literally bang slap next to the middy school (which is off campus and next to the hospital).

Generally, I will take her to nursery myself. However, her godparents have said they can collect her if my placement clashes, and likewise have her overnight and drop her off if I am on earlies or nights.

Claire - I too thought those times were odd, I got them yesterday from the taster day - perhaps a typo!?! any ideas how much au pairs are...? or is that a case of 'how long is a piece of string'?

A x

Errata

Some info on au pairs here http://www.bestbear.co.uk/parents/info_aupair.htm

Kaz2904

Not to be harsh or awful but having been there as a student nurse, when you get further on in the course you may well be expected to work shifts you wouldn't always be able to work.
When I statrted my final placement I had been rostered for a late shift every Friday night and an early every Saturday. When I said I worked every Friday night, I was told that I was expected to work the shifts I was rostered. I explained I was already working and had to pay for childcare but they were not interested.
Unfortunately some placements are more harsh than others!

clairec79

I think my colleague pays about £80 a week (plus board and lodge obviously)

clairec79

Plus the short notice (which gets a little bit better but not much after you qualify - I want to know what I'm working over Christmas)

a_confused_mum

I am currently registering as a childminder. Childminders can do the overnight care as long as they have had the variation from ofsted/cssiw [depending where you are] they will obviously charge more for this as it is out of hours. not all childminders will do this but it is worth checking with your local child services.
good luck

LondonDiva

How about gettign together with a friend to get a nanny together?