Nursery/childminder question...

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Sorry it wasn't a personal attack - you asked for an opinion and i gave just that! It was also a decision i had to make as the money i could make working a further distance was far greater, but decided to cut my losses and go local instead. It is tough, i agree and we have had to make do with the far lower income which is not easy at all (and prob why i found this website to help us get by )!

OH was always an hour and half (sometimes more as travelled by train) which was why i made the decision to stay local. I was about 40mins away walking and bus but only about 20 by cab if i needed to be there quick - it was just for my own peice of mind though!

That's why i asked if you have a relative or close friend closer by that'd aggree to picking her up if an emergancy?

knithappens

with my childminder i have an emerency contact in case they cannot get ahold of me, when fillin in the paper work, there is space or this.
NOw my kids are ata school my childminder, who does wrap around care is my emerency contact, as i teach it takes a while or the oice to lacate me, so the school call the childminder, who will pick the kids up i needs be, i it is serioous she will collect the child and contact me and wait or me to meet her etc

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Sorry just seen the post on no relatives. Erm, what about the person who would possibly do so for you having a set amount by for cab fare, just incase? It'd always be better than the minimum wait of an hour for your OH to get there.

mummy_Jay

On the emergency front with a CM, they will look after the child until you get there be it an hour or 10 minutes. When you set up you contract with them you go through this.

Let me put it this way if my CM can't get hold of me the next emergency number she has got is for my family who will take almost 3 hr to get there.

If the child has an acident and it's in serious need of medical care they will phone the ambulance and go with them if necessary and wait until you can be there yourself.

But these are all concerns to write down and ask about when you visit it both nurseries and child minders (they will all differ), so you know your options before you make your choice.

elljay20

in this situation i would be very inclined to go with a childminder and to discuss your concerns with them. whilst my daughter beneited grately from being in a brilliant nursery they are so much less flexible in general.

i worked an hour away from home so she went into a nursery where i work so no probs there really.

now she is at school and goes to out of scool club. a couple of months ago i had a call on my way home from work from them to say she wasn't well and in a state and they'd never seen her like this before. I was still 40 mins from home and that was the worst drive of my life trying to get to her.

galvanizersbaby

MrsTine wrote: »

Picking her up at a set time won't be a problem (unless there is a traffic accident and we physically can't get there!) - trust me there will be NO loyalty from me to my employer moving forward after their recent behaviour - come the finish fo the business day - meeting or not I'll be out that front door!

My ex husband works quite a distance away and there was quite often a hold up on the roads so can relate to this.

I think your best bet is to explain the situation to the nursery/CM and see what they suggest.

I would expect that you should be able to get something agreed if they are aware that it may take a while to get to DD if there is a problem.

Bitsy_Beans

I am a CM. If there was an issue with your child and she needed collecting (as in non serious life threatening way) then I will keep the child until yourself or nominated person collected. If this is 10 mins or an hour then that's the way it is.
If it was a medical emergency and you were too far away I would accompany your child to hospital and stay until you arrived.
I am biased being a CM myself but I tend to think we are more flexible (although there are some CM's who aren't of course) than a nursery that shuts up shop at a specific time. Being at home based childcare does mean if things go pear shaped your child is at least still in the care of a responsible adult in a home environment rather than a nursery building that needs to be shut IYSWIM.

MrsTinks

Thanks all - sorry wasn't meaning to sound aggressive or defensive - trying to get my point across, answering questions and balance the toad who's being super buzzed today!

Bitsy I don't suppose you're in oxfordshire/bucks by any chance - you sound great!

Seriously though thank you guys... maybe it IS workable in the short term... Long term then by choice this is not ideal but you have certainly given me something to think about (the taxi fare mgiht work but would require a major rethink on where she goes to care...) so thanks again - and sorry if I came across as snappy/short/grumpy I honestly didn't mean to... just trying to juggle too much whilst typing!

mummy_Jay

When you think about where, can i suggest close to home for two reasons

1. Little one will make friends that will be there through play school and big school
2. When the bad weather comes bring icy roads, you have your little one in the car for the shortest amount of time, so they are not at risk if the car goes sliding or you get stuck in the car in the cold weather for a prolonged period

daska

Search around for a good childminder - don't go in with preconceptions. DS1 ended up with a fabulous CM, prepared to take children from/to any time, provide all meals, even overnight care. DS1 had 3 marvellous CMs in all but this one was the best of all and the sad thing is that a lot of people wouldn't even have considered employing him.