Nurserys

JemmaM91

Really weird Question but having the interview yesterday got me thinking.

Basically I applied for shifts that my partner wasn't going to be working, but I was told at the interview those shifts aren't set in stone and that I may be required to work more hours than stated and different shifts.

So my questions are, Do nurserys accept children at short notice (if I got asked to do a shift at short notice), Do they open early? I'd have 7am starts so would have to drop him off around 6.30am.
Would it be a better idea to pick him up as soon as I finish or a set time? Could be between 2-5 or would they rather I just said 5 to be on the safe side?
And what percentage of the nursery fees do the working tax credits help with?

Sorry about the questions, I'm really worried about leaving him with strangers but me and OH have been talking and as he often gets called for unexpected overtime that we should get him into a nursery as he LOVES playing with other babies so thought it would be good for him. Hes my first baby so I've no experience with nurseries or anything like that.

Thanks in Advance

PinkLipgloss

In my experience opening hours and enrolment requirements vary somewhat by area/nursery.

However, I suspect you will be hard pushed to find a good nursery that will accept your child at short notice. There are legal requirements with regards to adult/children ratios, and in order to be cost effective nurseries in my experience like to operate at maximum capacity. However, this may not be the case if you are living in a small village somewhere!

I think the best thing to do would be to talk to other mums in the area (re: their recommendations) and also drop in (unannounced) on some nurseries and have a look around, chat with management about their enrolment procedures etc.

Kayalana99

Have you considered a child minder? its usally a tad cheaper and they are more flexible then nurserys.

btw tax credits pay 70% of fees x

go_cat

It depends on your local nurseries. The earliest opening one near us is the one my son goes to that opens 7:15 to 6:15 at night. I don't know any that open at 6:30.

Short notice, it depends on the number of children and staffing ratios again local decision.

You can use childcare vouchers through your employer for nursery fees ( tax exempt )

Tax credits depend on your household income

Would a child minder not give you better flexibility, nurseries tend to be quite fixed IME

Spendless

Nurseries tend to have set opening and finish times. Sometimes they open a bit earlier than their standard time and you pay for this service. They tend to do set sessions, usually mornings or afternoons or all day. The all day fee tends to be a little bit cheaper than 2 seperate am and/or pm sessions (or at least it did when mine attended private nurseries).

It will depend on how full the nursery is and if they have spaces in their adult:child ratio as to whether you could get your child in an additional slot with short notice. Both my kids nurseries offerred this and I used it occassionally, but get a popular nursery or live in an area where childcare is limited and your chances of doing it are reduced. Your chosen nursery might not offer it at all.

As to whether you should pick them up early or at their finish time, your call. You'll be charged for the whole session regardless. Sometimes, you might want to go home first, do some housework, start preparing tea, have a bath etc, others you might just want to go get your child.

Can't help you with how much you'll get towards childcare costs, but you both need to be working at least 16 hours per week to qualify -afaik.

Trying to find childcare when you have non-set hours can be a nightmare. I still struggle now and my youngest is 10! Got stuck with the no spaces left at my childcare providers only the other week, luckily my mum could step in.

Would a childminder be more flexible for you instead?

wendz86

I think it would be unlikely you would find a nursery that would open that early. My daughters opens at 7.30 am and that was one of the earliest in tthe area.

We don't have to pick y daughter at a set time but we pay the same regardless. My OH works shifts so sometimes picks her up at 4pm and other days i pick her up at 6pm and we go anytime.

I am not sure how last minute you would be able to book days in. Depends how full the nursery are. I think at mine you can book extra days but would depend how many kids they already have in that day.

JemmaM91

Thanks a lot everyone. I've just had a look online and theres a nursery just around the corner to where I would be working that opens at 7am. So maybe I'd be able to speak to work and possibly ask to start 5-10 mins later.
I suppose a childminder would be easier and more flexible but I'd worry about him not being able to interact with other children as that would be the bonus of a nursery. Also I'm not sure why but it feels safer leaving him at a nursery and I can't explain why. Maybe because I know he'll always be in one place whereas a childminder could take him out and possibly he could run off (I'm a worrier lol)

Kayalana99

Thing is about child minders is they get alot of one on one time as well as being around other kids (child minders generally have up to 3 children at a time)

My niece has one and she gets taken to the zoo, child minder groups, play areas...not to mention all the things she brings home with her for her mum! Its really sweet, its about finding the right one I guess but its what you feel comfortable with. Personally I'd prefer that they aren't just stuck in a room with other kids to play most the day and you know your child minder personally..I suppose you get to know the staff but it wouldn't feel same for me.

Good luck with your job anyway :-)

JemmaM91

I suppose if I got to know a childminder it would be a lot easier.
How would I go about looking for a childminder?

neverdespairgirl

I'd go for a childminder over a nursey - nurseries often have a high staff turnover, and I think continuity of care is important.

Kayalana99

I found mine on childcare.co.uk ... but if you can find someone recommed through a friend its obvouisly much better.

It costs to send messages on thier (its pretty expensive I thnk) but most childminders pay the fee and message you first...then you can message back for free anyway if you try that site x