Day Care Nurseries in Newtownabbey

typhoon

Hi

Does anyone currently use (or have used in the past) a nursery in Newtownabbey, and can anyone give any recommendations and any idea of the costs?

This is all new to me and I think I would prefer a day care nursery to a childminder but any advice would also be greatly appreciated.

many thanks in advance

leftieM

A good childminder will be better (for your child) than a good nursery according to an article I read in the Observer about two years ago (and my own experience). A childminder will also be cheaper.
I'm looking to return to work and would be very slow to put my second child into a nursery after having my first in one for 2 years.

neveranymoney

I'm in the Newtownabbey area also and dont know of one either. My son will be of nursery age next year and the only one in walking distance from me is under threat of closure, good luck in finding one!

BigAl94

Even better is stay at home and look after them yourself - give them a good start in life.

dmurray0

i know of several around Glengormley. There's one on the Antrim road near the new Indian Ocean and another one closer to the centre of Glengormley, think it's near the Abbey National. Price wise, for my 2 twins full time (8am-6pm fixed hours) and 3 year old I was quoted £400 per week!!!! The hours are rigid. My work hours were not the same but they still charge full whack. Check with your health visitor as they hold lists of registered childminders.Failing that, contact NICMA in newtownards (Northern Ireland Child Minding Assoc) who have lists. In the end, the wife and I both went part time and it has worked out better than we thought. Less tax than expected and Tax Credits we didn't think we were entitled to mean there's little difference to our wages now. If you are on benefit, namell Income Support, you would be entitled to Childcare fees of upto 80% so long as the minder is registered.Good luck!!

leftieM

BigAl94 wrote: »

Even better is stay at home and look after them yourself - give them a good start in life.

I love how blokes volunteer their women for full time parenting roles. If it was so great and easy men would do it. It's exhausting and it's career suicide.

typhoon

leftieM wrote: »

A good childminder will be better (for your child) than a good nursery according to an article I read in the Observer about two years ago (and my own experience). A childminder will also be cheaper.
I'm looking to return to work and would be very slow to put my second child into a nursery after having my first in one for 2 years.

Leftie, was just wondering do you mind if I ask why you wouldn't want to leave your child in a day nursery? The time is looming for me to decide what to do, and my personal instinct is to go for a day nursery, as I like the idea of my daughter being looked after by several staff rather than just one person who may be too busy to give her the same amount of attention as a nursery may give her. However I am more than willing to hear other people's opinions, especially if they have had bad experiences with nurseries. Thanks

leftieM

Always happy to give an opinion .
I thought the main weakness with the nursery was that there was no continuity with the carers. Kids were moved to different rooms as they aged so they have to form new relationships with the adults. This was unsettling for my child (obviously all children are different). A childminder, on the other hand, will (hopefully) have the child for years so can form a relationship with them.
The important thing is that you follow your instincts when you choose childcare. If something doesn't feel right then don't ignore it.

wanna-be-mortgage-free_2

You could try:
The Treehouse

5 Mount Pleasant Road
Newtownabbey
County Antrim
BT37 0NQ

Telephone: 02890 861398

There's also
Little Acorns Private Nursery

64 Doagh Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 9NY

Tel: 028 9096 8585

Hope this helps. If you're looking for a registered childminder in your area, contact NICMA and they'll give you a list of those registered in your area.

As for nursery -v- childminder, I did both and it is a matter of personal choice no matter what the various reports say! Also, I would recommend you go with your gut instinct on this one.

Good luck

wanna-be-mortgage-free_2

Sorry also forgot to mention that the University of Ulster also have a day nursery, not sure of the number or if it operates in the summer although it might as it caters for staff too. I had a great feeling about this one when I went to visit.