A carers viewpoint... (Childcare in general)

Member Name: Jeepers

Product:	Childcare in general
Date:	12/05/01 (111 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You don't have to change the nappies!!

Disadvantages: You miss out on so much!!

I'm a Nursery Nurse. I went to college for two years to gat this qualification, yet whenever I tell people that I work with children they make comments along the lines of " Oh , so you get paid to play with children all day", which I can't deny that some of the time is what I do! The fact is that child carers have one of the most responsible jobs there is. Oh, not many people appreciate this, and childcare pays a pittance, but we look after children- the most treasured posession a parent has. Why do we do it, you may ask....The answer is because we love it. Nobody can look after other peoples children if they don't enjoy it. I'm going to tell you a little bit about my opinion of some of the areas of childcare available to you.

Day Nurseries.

A day Nursery is somewhere that you send your child for either a morning, afternoon, or whole day while you work. You have a fixed place and you have to pay for this all year round, even if you can't attend for some reason. Nurseries work on social services carer to child ratios. These ratios mean that your child does not have one to one care. In the baby room of the nursery I worked in you could be feeding three or four babies at a time, or rocking two babies in bouncers with your feet, while giving another baby a bottle. It's not that you don't want to give them the attention, it's just not always possible. I felt sometimes as though these babies were being bought up on a conveyor belt, all goto sleep at the same time, all have dinner at the same time. The children have no time to get an individual routine. They do hawever learn how to share and interact with other children at a very young age. They also start to do educational activities at a young age, so do not find the classroom situation strange when they start school. Nurseries are usually open 8-6 or 7-7, so are good if you have to commute and fit in well with work times. The other good thing that a lot of nur
series now offer is after school care. This ensures that if you are unable to pick your child up from school, they will be collected from people thay are familiar with.

Childminders

Childminders look after children in their home, they have to be qualified and their home has to be registered. If they are not, do not send your child there. They too have ratios set by social services and your child will more than likely be looked after with other children, who are not necesarily the same age as your child. Your child will be cared for in a much less formal way than if they attend a nursery.

Nannies

I have worked previously as a live in nanny. I'll be honest with you, I hated it. Don't get me wrong, the family were lovely, but I was never off duty. My working hours were 7.30-20.00, but at the end of the day I couldn't escape home. I think it must also be hard for the family as well as they have a stranger living in their house. I'm working as a daily nanny at the moment and I love it, at least I get to go home at the end of the day now!! I think if you are unable to, or choose not to stay at home and look after your own child, this is one of the best options. Your child has consistent one to one care in their own home. You set the rules, and your child will be bought up with these rules. It is so important though, that if you choose this option, you all get on, and you trust the nanny, because if you don't it won't work. One thing you should be prepared for is for your child to become attached to the nanny. The chances are that they will be seeing them more than they will you. I had one unfortunate day with my old family, where the mother was at home, and the child was feeling ill. The mother got upset when he wanted me rather than her. I felt awful. She should have been ressured that her child was happy with me, but it must hurt.

Au Pairs

I have never worked as an Au pair, but they are unqua
lified and are usually cheaper than Nannies. They are often foreign students studying in England. You have got to remember that they may cost less, but they are not qualified in this field of work!

These are really your options for day care, excluding relatives. Other childcare such as playgroups, creches and nursey schools are not for parents wanting to return to work, but as a social or educational experience for your child. All of whom i think can be very good for a child, and help prepare them for school.

With any option you choose, the carer should be police checked and first aid qualified. Always check this.

I hope I have helped you a little bit and that my opinions haven't sounded too biased. The thing to remember is that there are good and bad child carers. You have to look carefully and trust your instinct when deciding what is best for you and your child.

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