Childcare Nightmare!!!

TracyO · 15-03-2006, 21:01

5 Weeks away from returning to work after a very enjoyable 6 months maternity leave. I am frantically vetting childminders and nurseries for the best childcare possible for my little angel, Olivia

WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!!!!

Who's good enough? Who's going to look after my baby as though she's the most preciuos thing in the world?

My quest started in nurseries local to me and i've come unstuck!! Not one has a place available for a 6 month old baby. So, i 'm now on childminders!!! All the stories you see on the news don't help, Reminding you of 'worse case scenarios'. All this worry and decision making makes me wonder whether returning to work IS such a good idea? Is it worth this upset i am feeling?

2 days ago i was raring to get back to work, now i've confirmed my hours and start date it's quite upsetting!!

enough babble!! Any words of wisdom from working mothers or Childminders

Neil · 15-03-2006, 21:12

Where abouts are you?

buttonsmum · 15-03-2006, 21:13

We put Siobhan into Oscar bears at 4 months for 2 days a week, Have you tried there? She loves it and you can see how much she enjoys going and playing with the other children from the pictures of the Christmas party here
http://www.siobhan-nadya-entwistle.m...ars/index.html

Yes, our chlild has her own domain already

You will find my husband is the resident geek!

Margaret Pilkington · 15-03-2006, 21:17

I know exactly what you are going through.....my daughter had the same problems when she went back to work after her first baby......she thought that she had found a place only to find out the week before returning to work that the place was no longer free.......so I got the job. It doesn't help when you read the adverse reports of what a nursey education is SUPPOSED to do for your child. Personally, I think children do well at either nursery or a good child minder.....it makes them much less clingy when they go to school......they learn social interaction. Go with your gut instincts.

TracyO · 15-03-2006, 21:19

Near police station Accrington, but i've got to drop one child at school for 8.55, take olivia to wherever then get to work by 9.15

buttonsmum · 15-03-2006, 22:40

Oscar Bears open at 8 o clock, so you should have no problems, I am usually in and out within a couple of minutes of dropping Siobhan off.

They also give you a daily report of what your child has done during the day right down to how many nappies they have changed and what type i.e dirty or wet.

katex · 15-03-2006, 23:35

[quote=Margaret Pilkington] Personally, I think children do well at either nursery or a good child minder.....it makes them much less clingy when they go to school.......[/quo]

Oh Margaret !! What a very wide statement ... gotta' say, load of crap about the clingy bit.. anyway, that for another thread.

TracyO .. was in same position as Margaret and was 'obligated' to look after grandaughter from 6 weeks overnight mostly (daughter on nights) as well as doing job meself and bringing up 7 year old son. Grandaughter went to the one at Clayton whilst I was at work and was well looked after ... very impressed. Can't remember the name though .. on Pickup Street. Don't worry too much (know you will though .. natural) .. nurseries and childminders seem to be very well vetted these days. xx

ellie · 15-03-2006, 23:39

My daughter went there was called first class nursery, pick up st. She went there from three months up till going to school and then joined the morning and after school club. My personal opinion they were absolutely brilliant and never grumbled about them at all.

harwood red · 16-03-2006, 02:22

Depends where you work too, but I know of a fab childminder in Clayton if you want details pm me.. She had both my boys and treated them very much like they were part of the family and that extended to her parents too. Many a time I caught her dad enjoying a game of cricket with my lads

emmatjackson · 16-03-2006, 10:39

[quote=katex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Personally, I think children do well at either nursery or a good child minder.....it makes them much less clingy when they go to school.......[/quo]

Oh Margaret !! What a very wide statement ... gotta' say, load of crap about the clingy bit.. anyway, that for another thread.

TracyO .. was in same position as Margaret and was 'obligated' to look after grandaughter from 6 weeks overnight mostly (daughter on nights) as well as doing job meself and bringing up 7 year old son. Grandaughter went to the one at Clayton whilst I was at work and was well looked after ... very impressed. Can't remember the name though .. on Pickup Street. Don't worry too much (know you will though .. natural) .. nurseries and childminders seem to be very well vetted these days. xx

very sorry katex but I totally agree with margaret. I have had three children and two of them I went back to work early and they went to nursery and they were far less clingy than my last chid. Autumn is now 5 and she is at school and is a night mare.

katex · 16-03-2006, 19:29

[quote=emmatjackson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

very sorry katex but I totally agree with margaret. I have had three children and two of them I went back to work early and they went to nursery and they were far less clingy than my last chid. Autumn is now 5 and she is at school and is a night mare.

First of all .. sorry Margaret, didn't mean to be rude.

All a matter of one's experiences, however, I can only say was at home with both my children for their first few years, and never had any problems when they went to school (probably glad to see the back of me

).. first day always traumatic anyway, even for nursery children as they are still switching their day-to-day environment. When you are at home, there are usually play groups,etc., which give the children opportunity to re-act with other children, and I also spent time 2/3 times a week enjoying the company of other mothers at home.
Just saying you can't put a wide statement on this.

Anyway, hope Tracey sorts things out .. wish I could help, but obviously not involved anymore with this world.

Gayle · 16-03-2006, 20:30

Have you tried Heathland - it's excellent and very close to you up on Sandy Lane.

Margaret Pilkington · 16-03-2006, 20:42

It is OK Katex.......I didn't perceive it as being rude......just an opinion......and everyone is entitled to one of those! I know all children are different but I do believe that children who are socialised well with other children from outside their own family are less clingy when they do go to school.......that is my experience.

Gayle · 16-03-2006, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

It is OK Katex.......I didn't perceive it as being rude......just an opinion......and everyone is entitled to one of those! I know all children are different but I do believe that children who are socialised well with other children from outside their own family are less clingy when they do go to school.......that is my experience.

I totally agree with you. Both of my two went to nursery from about six months - three days a week and two days at home at first. Maddie then went to St Mary's and Zack has done a preprep year at Heathland but he's going to St Mary's this year. They are both confident, happy and both fully settled in their schools - there wasn't even a hesitation on their first days and I have no issues about when Zack goes to St Mary's.

harwood red · 16-03-2006, 20:58

I was at home with mine until they went to school, then I went back to work full time. Just to put a spanner in some of the comments about clinginess, my eldest cried when I picked him UP from playgroup.

Note to HR... Bad mother, bad mother

Hope you followed up on the Pm and that she had a space for your daughter, you won't regret it!!!