HELP - Where do you find a good nanny, childcarer or nursery?

[tabsmum]

My 2nd baby is due this week and I am already worried about childcare. I considering going back to work (part-time and mostly from home)March or May 2004. Ideally I would prefer a nanny type person to come to my house in order for baby not to be disturbed too much. I think finding a part time nanny may prove difficult.

Can anyone recommend good advice on how to get the right nanny?

If that does not work I would have to look at nurseries or childcarer what is better??

[Janstar]

I found my childminder by checking out the local council's website and obtaining a list of registered childminders in my area. Sorry I can't help you with other types of childcare but I am sure others will.

I like the childminder because if the child is in the house with you you will be tempted to take over all the time. Those cries do pull on your heartstrings!

[alibubbles]

Here is the website for the childcare link, it gives you details of all childminders, nurseries, etc in your area. childcare search

[tabsmum]

Thanks Alibubbles

Will Check out website

[Blu]

Tabsmum, sorry if this is London-centric, but if you ARE in the London area (inside M25) there is a childcare exchange service run by Mums called Simply Childcare. You subscribe to 3 issues of their magazine, in which carers of all kinds advertise, and you can put your own ad in for 3 issues, too. Two years ago, it cost something like £30 for the three issues. They give loads of helpful info, too. Will try to find contact number if you're interested.

[tabsmum]

Thanks Blu

That sounds a great scheme - hope you can find the number. I know that I am not going back until May but I am already worried!

[kaz33]

Or check out a website called thegumtree.co.uk - it is full of australians, kiwis and south africans looking for work, both full time part time and permanent and temporary. I found our fabby ozzie nanny there.

[hellbell]

Best piece of advice I was given was to go by word of mouth if you can, because mums are more honest and know more about the childminders/nannies and so on than the council. Hope this helps.

[motherinferior]

If you do decide on a childminder, the National Childminders ASsociation is worth talking to.

[kayleigh]

We got a nanny when ds2 was 6 months old. I worked 3 days a week so i thought it would be difficult but there were quite a few nannies who would consider part time work. We got our Nanny through an advert in the Lady and she was lovely. She stayed with us a year, at which point we went back to ds1s childminder when a second place become available as we were finding the nanny option was a very expensive one.

[aloha]

Simply Childcare is based in my street and I know the woman who runs it. It's very good.

[Blu]

Sorry Tabsmum, this has taken me a while! 0207 701 6111.
Where are you Tabsmum? I looked at the Council Childminder lists for Southwark and Lambeth: the Southwark one is FAR more informative, with lots of details about each person.
IME, the nursery/nanny decision has a lot to do with what is more important to you, reliability or flexibility. Nannies and childminders get sick occasionally, and you have to be able to adapt round that, nurseries are rarely able to be at all flexible in changing days etc. I had DS in a v good nursery when he was little, but now have a nanny 3 days a week who brings her own child, same age as mine, so is cheaper because she is a nannyshare with herself! And my DS has regular company his own age, which he enjoys. I don't think it's that hard to find p/t nannies. I have to say I find it hard to work at home when DS is there with nanny, I have to smuggle myself in and out of the toilet or DS would be banging at the door. Good luck!