Registered Childminders
Advantages:
• Care for children of different ages together
• Are ideal for under two's who need to bond with their carer to feel secure
• Sometimes offer school pick up's
• Often are experienced mothers
• Are eligible for the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit.
Disadvantages:
• As they are often mothers themselves with limited spaces, you are not guaranteed to get all your children places with the same childminder
• If caring for a maximum of 6 children, school pick ups may be difficult.
• Difficult to keep your baby or toddler in a routine because of commitments to other children and their own families.
• Don't work outside normal working hours
• Not always reliable i.e. through illness/holidays
• Most require payment when children are not in their care i.e. school/childrens holidays
• Most do not offer part time spaces
Nursery Schools
Advantages:
• Children have the opportunity to play with others of the same age
• 50% of staff hold relevant childcare qualification
• Childcare is reliable i.e. if one staff member is off others are available to cover
• Some offer part time spaces
• Are eligible for the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit
Disadvantages:
• Difficult to keep your baby or toddler in a routine because of commitments to other children
• Not ideal for under two's who need a close bond with their carer
• Only 50% of the staff hold a relevant childcare qualification
• Don't work outside normal working hours
• Most require payment when children are not in their care i.e. when the children are on holidays, school/bank holidays inc. Easter, Christmas and the New Year
• Children often pick up colds, viruses and infections from other children
• Children do not always get access to outside
Mum's Help home childcarers
Advantages:
• All carers hold a relevant childcare qualification
• All carers have a first aid qualification relevant to the care of babies and children
• All carers are vetted
• Most carers are either experienced mothers or already work in, or are retired from a childcare setting such as a day nursery or as a classroom assistant
• Some further qualified carers offer extra services such as help with special needs or extra tuition with schoolwork
• The carers hours are totally flexible between 7am and 11.30pm, providing you with a service that meets you and your families individual requirements
• Childcare can be provided outside normal working hours including evening babysitting
• The carer has time to form a close, one to one relationship your child/children
• Your child/children are surrounded by their own familiar belongings
• Siblings of different ages can be looked after together
• You have a high degree of control over your child's routine, diet, activities and play environment
• You do not have to travel to and from the childcare setting, allowing your child to stay in routine
• Meals do not necessarily need to be prepared in advance as the carer is capable
• As your child is cared for in their own community, they can easily take part in local activities and clubs
• Your children can be looked after at home when hey are ill
• School pick ups are available
• You do not pay for childcare when it is not required i.e. holidays
• Extra emergency care can usually be provided at short notice i.e. working late
• Is often more cost effective than other forms of childcare for families with three children or more
• Are eligible for the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit
Disadvantages:
• Your child/children only get an opportunity to play with others when the child carer takes them to activities and clubs such as mother and toddler groups, football, gymnastics etc. Therefore there are less opportunities for the children under 3yrs old to socialise with others
• Is usually more expensive than other forms of childcare, for families with only one or two children.
