Child Care for Babies and Young Children

[Daisy]

This topic cropped up in the Daily Drop-in when Plant mentioned that baby H would be going to a childminder while the baby's Grandparents were away on holiday.

Isn't it difficult if both parents work! And nowadays that is the norm, and often not from choice but necessity.

I was lucky in that my mother lived with us and was there to help in an emergency, and I only worked the hours that my pre-schooler(s) were in nursery or play group. I was lucky that as a teacher I was able to do that. Of course once they were at school I was home at about the same time as them, although I frequently relied on friends to give them lifts home.

My GSs mother went back to work when GS2 started school, and I was the main carer for GD1 and shared with the other granny for GD2.

But childcare costs now are very expensive (I wish the actual carers were better paid though!) and it makes me wonder how other families manage.

[WeeGranny]

I went back to work when DD was 11 weeks old, no long maternity leave in those days. DD went to a childminder every day until I finished work after two terms. I continued to do supply work and she was looked after by a friend. My nearest family was 250 miles away and OH was often away with work, so it was down to me to keep everything going! I did have someone come in to clean though!

DD went back to work after about 3 months and GS went to a childminder to begin with and then to nursery full time until he started school. I helped out in emergencies! I wasn't happy about him being at nursery, but didn't say anything ( difficult though it was!) GS is a delightful young man now and I don't think being looked after in a nursery has held him back n any way.

[Gemini]

I didn't work when DD's 1 and 2 were small. I wanted to be with them full time until they were at least 3, and my OH worked long hours in theatre, so couldn't be relied on for child care. My mum still worked and I wouldn't have wanted them looked after by anyone outside the family.
When I went back to work when DD2 started school I chose childcare work which fitted in, as I only worked school hours. When DD3 arrived I took maternity leave and went back to work - one morning a week! A nanny who I knew looked after her, and latterly my mum for a few months. I increased my hours and took a second job once DD3 started school.
I worked in playgroups, schools and creches for over 20 years.

I would hate to have to leave my small children as almost every mum does now. The energy today's mums need is immense!
Some mums cant wait to get back to work I know, and would struggle with being at home full time. When I worked in the creche however we had many sad mums who became more so as the date to return to work approached. They just couldn't afford to not work, or even to work part time in many cases.

My DD's are lucky in that they could work part time once they became parents, and had grandparent help. The GC have each had some childcare at nurseries as well though.
They all seem fine, so my theory that child should be with its mother for the first 3 years has not held water!

[Oma]

I didn’t work when mine were small ,
When DD went to nursery I went back part time then full time when she went to school
When DS was born I did the same but by then B was out of the army and we worked around shifts I would do mornings when he did afternoon late shifts or the other way around ,
Ihad no family near to help and our buses where one every hour if they turned up and took 3 to get to my mothers so not practical

DD took a year off after GS1 was born then we had him full time and he went to his other grans 1 day
GS2 we had from a few weeks old full time till he started nursery then we would pick him up every tea time till one of them came for him

It’s so hard and expensive now to have childcare but parents have to work .
When Clare goes back to work , Fin will go to her Brothers wife one day , her mother the next and Martin has Fridays off so will only be two days he needs child care , that’s so far by then things may change if her SIL has a baby of her own by then .

[Plantaholic]

I was fortunate not to have to work after DS and DD were born and we shared a large house with my Mil so she was on hand if I needed help. My OH was a University Lecturer so had a reasonably long vacation. My DD didn’t go back to finish her degree after she had her first and her OH was able to support the family without her working and then they had three more children, I only helped out very occasionally. Dil returned to work at the BBC soon after she had their first child, the first was looked after by a family member and when the second came along they went to nursery with me helping at times. My GGS and GGD’s mother is a part time teacher, her mother and my DD cover the child minding. Baby H will be here when both her parents are working and with DD and Sil other days. A childminder will cover the days DD and Sil are on holiday. The childminder charges £8 an hour.

[Nanto2girls]

I didn't go out to work until the kids were about 12 and 15.
My friend took over a shop and asked if i was interested in working there.
I worked there for about 4 years, until she gave the shop up.
By then DS1 was in the army and DS was hardly ever in.
That was when i started working in the school for mentality and physical disabled children.
I loved every minute of it.
After that i looked after GD1 when she wasn't at school. Then i looked after GD2 from being a few weeks old.