Chidcare options: An overview

When it comes to returning to work, sorting out the right childcare for your child and circumstances it top of the agenda

Posted: 23 April 2009
by Maria Muennich

When preparing to go back to work, most mums will need to arrange some form of childcare for their baby/ children, whether they are working full or part-time. There are plenty of options out there for you to consider, but what will work best for you will depend on many different factors, such as how much you are working, how much flexibility you and your partner have with your working hours and days and what support you may have from your family. If you are looking for full-time childcare then it's less likely that you can rely on family for help and you're more likely to need a full-time option such as a nanny, childminder or nursery. If you or your partner - or even better, both - are working part-time, then the same options may work on a part-time basis, but you may also be able to manage with a regular babysitter or with family help.

Of course, when you have more children then economics change, and you might find that options that seemed expensive before for one child suddenly aren't such a bad deal (those where your child is cared for in your own home).

Nurseries - Many larger companies run creches/nurseries for the children of their employees, so it's well worth checking out what support, if any, is available through your workplace or that of your partner. Of course while this may be one of the most convenient options for parents working full-time, you'll still want to carefully vet the nursery to see it meets your expectations, and ask for parental references. Other nurseries are run privately or by the state.
Nursery places aren't cheap. The average is around £142 per week across the UK, with London places frequently costing significantly more. However, in some areas of the UK they compare favourably with average childminder costs when calculated per hour. If you need regular full-day childcare then a good nursery may be a good option. If you work regular part-time hours then you may be able to share a nursery place with another parent.
Check here for the pros and cons of nurseries, and to find out more.
Childminders - A childminder looks after your child/children in his or her own home, and so your child will mix with far fewer children than in a nursery. Space and equipment available to children don't usually compare to what's available in a nursery, but your child may prefer a more intimate and home-like environment.
Rates vary widely across the UK and are set by the childminders themselves with no regulation. The cheapest rates are currently around £2.30 an hour but you can expect to pay several pounds more an hour in parts of London. A childminder will usually offer more flexible hours than a nursery, making this an interesting option for those working less than full-time, or those who work variable hours.
Check here for the pros and cons of using a childminder, and to find out more about finding and hiring one.
Nannies - A Nanny comes to care for your child/children in your own home and is responsible for everything child-care related, so s/he'll do their laundry and take them to the doctors if need be.
You may think that this option is the preserve of the very wealthy, and it's true that taking on a nanny is a big financial responsibility. But once you need to have two or more children in full-time childcare, and you frequently work long hours, then it starts to look like a far more reasonable proposition (given that two nursery places can set you back over £300). A nanny may also be more affordable on a part-time or nanny-share basis.
Check here for the pros and cons of using a nanny and to find out more about finding and hiring one.
Au pairs - An Au pair is usually a foreign student who lives in your house and helps care for your children for up to five hours a day. She can't offer full-time childcare, and usually has no childcare training, but can be of great help with before-after nursery/school care, and is a relatively economical option as she is paid largely by room and board (and then some pocket money on top).
Check here for the pros and cons of using an Au pair and to find out more about finding and hiring one.
Babysitter/home childminder - A babysitter/home childminder comes to your home to help care for your children, but isn't usually a professional childcarer (though you may find someone who has retired from a career in childcare). As she can't care for other children at the same time this can be a more expensive option than a childminder (who works from her own home) but rates will vary according to experience and qualifications. this also means that she should usually be able to care for your child when s/he is sick. This can be quite a good option if you need just a little extra help each week, perhaps with before-after school/nursery care, or if you want someone to play with your children while you are busy in another part of the house or running errands or going to appointments.
Check here for the pros and cons of using a regular babysitter and find out more about finding and hiring one.
Family childcare - If you're lucky you may have family around to support you and help you out with childcare. This isn't usually a full-time option, but it can be a very good and economical option for those who are going back to work part-time, and just need help a day or two a week, and/or who work irregular hours. While having family members care for your child may seem like the perfect answer - they get to spend more time together as you get to have time to work - you do have to think carefully before-hand about how it will work how you will handle disagreements over childcare philosophies (which may not be an issue) and how you will offer payment.
Check here for the pros and cons of family childcare, what the pitfalls are - and how to avoid them.
Managing without childcare? - If may sound impossible, but some mums do manage to combine full-time parenting with part-time work. Find out more about the pros and cons here.

Whatever form of childcare you opt for, the most important thing is that your child is happy and well-cared for, leaving you with the peace-of-mind to get on with your job, run errands or whatever it is you need to do. Do make time to see how your child interreacts with whoever is going to be caring for them, and how s/he reacts to the environment s/he'll be spending the time in. Check each individual childcare article for tips on how to find and choose childcare for your child.