The choice is yours

Choosing childcare is a daunting prospect for any parent. Alex Antoniou guides you through the maze of possibilities

 

It ís never easy returning to work after you’ve had a baby. Sometimes you choose to work because you can’t bear the thought of being at home all day, every day. For many, it’s a matter of financial necessity. But whatever the reason, returning to work means putting your child in the hands of someone you don’t know – a scary thought.

Media horror stories add to many parents’ paranoia. Nurseries that lock children up in “naughty rooms”; nannies on their mobiles all day – all these tap into parents’ deep-seated anxiety about leaving their children for sometimes up to 10 hours a day in the hands of someone they barely know.

If you include after-school care, childcare is at least a 10-year commitment so gimmicks that you may think will help you deal with this paranoia are often a costly and short-term fix to a long-term situation. For just under £100, for example, you can buy a camera – or a nanny cam as they are often known – which masquerades as a toy dog or teddy bear and has a built-in microphone and the ability to switch between four cameras.

All you do is plug it into your TV or VCR for instant monitoring of your nanny while you are at work (see www.flyonthewall.uk.com for more information). Some nurseries also have cameras fitted so you can “drop in” via the internet at any time (see www.watchmykids.co.uk and www.nurserycam.co.uk)

But is this really the answer, or is finding good childcare really more about acting on your instincts?

Send in the inspectors

In 2003, not long after it started monitoring nurseries and childminders, the education watchdog Ofsted investigated 6,250 complaints. Of those, it took legal action in 378 cases, shutting 49 nurseries and childminders and suspending 12 more. Complaints to Ofsted in the past few years include:

• A childminder who lost her registration after admitting leaving her own child and a child in her care unsupervised, saying that it was acceptable to do so because a neighbour could listen to them on the baby monitor.
• During an unannounced inspection, a crêche in a large leisure centre was found to be held in a dirty, unventilated room with broken lights, unsuitable furniture and toilets blocked and flooded with sewage.
• A childminder was seen dragging a three-year-old child along the street so forcefully he was pulled from the ground.

Since then, happily, the situation has improved greatly. Between April 2005 and March 2006, Ofsted inspectors found that 97% of the 25,000 childcare providers inspected were satisfactory or better at ensuring that children are safe and protected from harm.

Now the good news

It’s all too easy for parents to feel guilty about returning to work and leaving their children in the hands of others. But it’s not all bad news:

• High-quality childcare and early education actually give your child a head start in primary school, as research shows that it improves their educational, emotional and social development.
• Children with experience of high-quality childcare and early education do better in Key Stage 1 national assessments in English and mathematics at age seven.
• Children who attend a good quality setting are more likely to be more independent, better able to concentrate and more sociable at the start of primary school.
• Childcare can be very beneficial for parents, opening up opportunities for them to work, train or study.

CASE STUDIES Sarah Charles, 32, lives with her husband, Tom, and their son, Max, three, in Guildford, Surrey. Her childcare choice was a childminder. “I always wanted Max to go to a childminder. I went back to work full-time when he was seven months and I really liked the idea of him having a one-to-one, relationship with a carer rather than having to fight for attention in a nursery. “I must admit that when I first went to see Ann, Max’s childminder, I nearly turned and ran because her door on the council estate she lived on was all bashed in. It wasn’t a very good start, but as soon as she opened the door I knew I could trust her. She waited for Max to become relaxed and then she picked him up and sat with him. He was very happy and I was immediately reassured. “Although some people criticise a childminder’s house as not being a very creative environment for children, it’s all Max has needed. He starts nursery school soon and Ann will be taking him there every day and picking him up, so he’ll be gettng plenty of stimulation there. “There’s no way I could look after Max seven days a week – it’s too exhausting. When I’m with him, I give him my all, but when I go out to work I’m me again and it’s an opportunity to use my brain.” Carol Archer, 40, lives with her husband George, in Bramhall, Cheshire. They have two children, Edward, five, and Lola, three. She chose a nursery for her children, but initially did not have a positive experience. “When our children were born George and I had a lot of discussions about the best way to look after our children. In the end we decided that a nursery would be the best option for the children and would allow us to continue working. However, after the children had been at nursery for a few months, a member of staff spoke out about the physical and emotional abuse taking place there, such as some of the children being physically restrained. Although our children seemed OK we removed them straight away. It was a really worrying time, and I nearly gave up my job because of it. In the end we found another nursery, which we checked out thoroughly first. They’ve been happy there since.” Gill Hughes, 35, and her partner, Jim live in Solihull, West Midlands. They both work full-time. Her daughter, Tyler, is nearly four and she chose a nanny for her, but a bad experience made her re-think. “When Tyler was born I knew I would have to go straight back to work full-time because Jim and I are both self-employed. One month after the birth I was travelling to meetings and expressing my breast milk during my lunch break. “We hired a nanny who was great for the first month, but it began to go wrong after that. She was on the phone all the time and she wouldn’t tell me what she’d been up to all day, so we sacked her. “After this, I lost faith in nannies and I decided to look for a childminder. We found a lovely woman who lives close by, with a family of her own. I knew as soon as I saw her that I could trust her. The only problem is that her hours aren’t as flexible as having a nanny, but between Jim and I we manage to work it work.”

 

Your choices

Childminders

Registered childminders look after your child along with other children, usually in their own home. All childminders who care for children under the age of eight must be registered and inspected by Ofsted and Children’s Services, which carry out regular checks on the home and childminder. What will it cost me? Rates vary from area to area and can cost you on average £3 an hour (£4 in London) per child.

Nannies

Nannies are employed by you to provide care for children, usually in your home. They will fit in with unusual working hours, and work part-time or even live in. Some may agree to do additional jobs around the house (cooking, tidying, and so on.). Nannies and childcarers working in the child’s home do not have to be registered by Ofsted. What will it cost me? Wages range from £132 to £400 per week, depending on hours, their experience, where you live and whether they live in.

Au pairs

Au pairs are usually single young women from overseas. They come to the UK to study English, live with a family and help out in the home. In exchange, they must have two days off and be provided with a weekly allowance, meals and their own room. Au pairs are not registered or usually trained to work with children so are a good option for after-school care only. What will it cost me? Around a £50 weekly allowance.

Day nurseries

A day nursery provides care and education for children between the ages of six weeks and five years. Day nurseries can be run by the council, the community, be based in the workplace or privately run. What will it cost me? On average, £205 for inner London, £182 (outer London) and £152 (elsewhere) for a full-time week for children under two, but rates will vary across the country.

Nursery schools

Nursery schools and nursery classes provide early education and childcare for children between three and five years old. They are open during school hours in term time for full or half-day sessions. All nursery schools and classes are regularly inspected by Ofsted, to check that the early learning and care is satisfactory. What will it cost me? It’s free if part of the state education system (apart from meals and trips). Other nurseries are run by private and voluntary organisations and charge fees.

Pre-schools

Pre-schools or playgroups provide care and most offer early education for children between two and five years old. A pre-school or playgroup can be organised by the community on a nonprofit basis, often with help from parents. They offer sessions from two-and-ahalf hours to four hours, during term time, every day. A registered pre-school or playgroup is regularly inspected by Ofsted. What will it cost me? On average around £4 to £7 per session but costs vary across the country.

Five tips for finding the best childcare for your child from the National Childcare Charity, the Daycare Trust Get help with childcare costs Make sure you are getting all the financial assistance available to you to help you pay for your childcare costs. If you are a working parent, you may get help through Working Tax Credits or employer-supported childcare. Call the information line on 020 7840 3350 for more details. Think about your childcare needs during holidays You may find that you need to use additional childcare during the holiday times, such as the summer holidays, especially if you have school-aged children. If you want to use a holiday playscheme, make sure you look into these as soon as you can as places can often get booked up quickly.   Don’t miss out on free childcare If your child is three or four-years old, they are eligible for a free part-time early years place of 12.5 hours per week up to 15 hours per week. Start looking early Many parents are able to find suitable childcare as soon as they need it, but for others it may take several months of searching. Give yourself enough time to research, seek advice from other parents and check registration certificates and references. Time to settle in Your child may take some time to settle into any new childcare setting that you start them in, so allow them time to adjust to their new surroundings, especially if this is their first time in childcare.

Out-of-school clubs

Good quality childcare is beneficial to both children and parents

Many schools offer a variety of formal childcare and other activities outside usual school hours. These range from formal childcare in primary schools to music, art and sport activities. As a result, schools are often open from 8am to 6pm, including during the school holidays. Depending on the hours you work, you can opt for a combination of breakfast clubs (normally open from 8am), after-school clubs (typically from 3.30pm to 6pm) and holiday play schemes (8am to 6pm) which run outside of term time. What will it cost me? Between £5 and £11 a session for after-school clubs; £1 for breakfast clubs and around £15 a day or £75 a week for a holiday place.

For more information

For more information on childcare in your area, contact the Children’s Information Service on: Tel: 0800 234 6346

Contact the Department for Education and Skills Publications line for a free copy of its booklet “Looking for Childcare?”.
Tel: 0845 602 2260
E-mail: dfes@prolog.uk.com
Quote ref: SESC06 -17

To discuss your childcare options, call the Daycare Trust information line on: Tel: 020 7840 3350

Working Families is an organisation that provides information, advice and support for working parents. Contact: Website: www.workingfamilies.org.uk

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