Nanny/Childminder costs? (plus a wee update on us)

GobbledyGook

Hi all.

Back again with another question, like the proverbial bad penny!

Firstly the update. Things haven't been great recently. My MIL attempted to take my girls twice, once from school and once from my BIL when he took them to soft play.

The long and short of it is that she is currently in hospital receiving psychiatric care. It appears she has both long-term issues that she's been hiding/ignoring for years and has had a complete breakdown. Obviously I don't want to say too much about it because it's her private medical business.

It's a weird one. I feel sorry for the woman that I knew before, and my heart goes out to FIL and her sons as they just don't know how to feel. However, I will never, ever trust her again and being very honest I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to forgive her.


As for us, Josiah is the most wonderful baby. He feeds well and sleeps well. The girls are good and adore their baby brother. We've moved back into the family home and they are loving having their playroom back - I'm loving not falling over stuff in the flat!

The ex is behaving and we're close to finalising our financial agreement for our divorce.

Most excitingly I've been offered a fabulous job at work! The lady I've worked under for the past few years is taking early retirement in February due to her health. The guy we work with was the natural first choice for the promotion, but he's turned it down. So, despite not having the qualifications on paper and only being part time so far I've been offered it!!

It means going back to work early, Josiah will only be 6 months old when I planned to take either 9 months or a year. It'll also mean doing 4 days a week (at least) instead of my current 2-2 1/2 days.

So I'm going to have to find some sort of childcare. The girls went to nursery at 3 and were looked after by MIL and my cousin while I worked before that.

I'm not sure what kind of childcare to go for. If I could have a person come here for 8am I could be in work in 15 minutes so could fit a whole day's work in and be home for 5.30ish. So I was wondering about a Nanny or childminder. If they could do the morning school run that would give me that hour at work to allow me to be home earlier.

I'll start looking into it properly tomorrow, but can anyone give me any idea of costs for a nanny or childminder?

I'm so torn between wanting to stay at home while J is a baby and grabbing the opportunity that will give me total financial independence (barring child maintenance) from my ex.

Thanks
Gemma

gratefulforhelp_2

Gemma, wowee well done you. You are so strong, and kind, I think a childminder would cost about £4-6 per hour if that's any help.

Depends on area, of course.

Bloody brilliant, well done.

Millie's_Mum

Wow Gemma, you sound in great spirits! The job seems like a really positive step to me.

I've nothing useful to say, but pleased you have come back with an update, its a real shame about your MIL but at least you were prepared that thats what she might do.

sueeve

I suspect nursery will be cheaper than a nanny. A friend of mine did a nanny share with another person with a child of the same age. 1/2 time at each hopuse. That cut down expense considerably.
You may find that at the moment you are little better off with the extra work, but the job is an investment for the future. Well done.

GobbledyGook

Thanks all.

sueeve - the big problem with nursery is that I could really do with someone to do the school run in the morning and then I'd need some sort of after school care and pick up for the girls as well.

Claire2831

Hi Gemma, I don't have wee ones so can't comment sorry... but just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to update us, I had read through you're last thread and had wondered how you and you're children were getting on.
So glad to hear things are starting to turn around, congratulations on the job offer, well deserved i'm sure. The mil is in the best place for her.
Wishing you and the children lots of happiness and all the very best for the future :-) xx

Errata

Congratulations on the job offer. You need to think about school holidays as well as before and after school care and how you will manage if the kids go down with a bad cold and can't go to school. HTH

hippychick1

Hi Gemma

My childminder is fabulous. She charges £3.50 per hour per child, but is quite flexible with my rates. I am a student nurse, so sometimes do not need her as I have quite a few weeks holiday per year, then other times I work a 40 hour week doing shifts that start early.

She charges me a set rate of £200 per week for 3 children. I drop the children at 7am, then she'll take the boys to school for me, have my daughter all day, then pick the boys up from school ready for me coming to fetch them all at 4pm.

My advice would be to ring some local childminders to see if they have vacancies, and go to meet them. Tell them your requirements and see what they will charge. You'll also get an idea of who you would be willing to leave your children with!

MrsTinks

Definitely recommend childminders... I found a super one for my little one when I returned to work and all the trouble my friends have had with nurseries I'd NEVER go there! Little Miss goes at 8:30 and is picked up at 5:30 and she loves it - other kids arrive earlier and they all then walk to school with Little Miss in her pushchair, on the way back they take their time and often go to the park or to soft play or musikids etc. Late afternoon they then pick up the older kids again - come rain or shine
It's horses for courses really but I think you should look into a childminder who's near your childrens school and see if they have space for all the kids...

MatyMoo

Hi Gemma

I don't have children so no help on that front, sorry

It is lovely to hear from you and great to hear how you and your family are doing. Poor MIL and her family, difficult times for them but at least she is getting the help she needs. You were right not to trust her, you had a feeling she would try to snatch the girls and she proved you right. Thank goodness you were prepared.

Congratulations on the Promotion, it really is a great investment in your future

Never forget that you are a brilliant Mum!

MatyMoo

onlyroz

From what I understand, the order of cost, from least to most expensive, would be:

Au-pair
Childminder
Nursery
Live-in nanny

My daughter is in a nursery because I think that they have better facilities than a child-minder could provide, and more opportunities for interaction with other kiddies, but I've no doubt that there are excellent childminders available. I might have to look into employing one for myself, to do the "school run" for my son, because I might be changing employers soon and I doubt the new one will be as flexible as my current one...