Any other expectant Dads?
Discussion
richatnort said:
OK good to know. Is there any proof that nursery develops the child more than a child minder or is it just preference?
there is no real proof of anything but i guess like anything people who have a particular preference either way can always find evidence to support their views!My views (see if you can guess which ours goes to!). Child minders don't do one on one, it's far more usual for it to be quite a few kids to one minder. In a nursery there are multiple nursery nurses to a room so the ratios may not be as wildly different as people assume. In any case part of the point of going to nursery is that kids get to learn they are not the only one that matters. Nursery kids get a key person so they have one individual they are with most often, and do form a good bond. I am not sure I'd want a very very close bond however as they are not family. Similarly I am not sure I'd want her to love it so much that she doesn't want to leave! They do have a great time and very varied play, balancing structured and unstructured - they do have lots of fun as well as learning things. Nurseries have more in the way of operating methods (not sure how else to refer to it) so when something happens they know to do XYZ, and mostly these things exist to avoid certain problems occurring anyway. They are also just very very skilled in getting them to do things they want them to do, such as nap, share, polite behaviour and things. I guess they tend to do fewer trips outside than a minder might do, but we are fortunate in that we live semi-rural so they go out on nature walks and things. A bigger difference can actually be types of nursery. I wanted (the Mrs wasn't as set on it as i was but still keen) ours to go to a montessori place as it just seemed to balance off the fun and the learning quite well, and teach them the sort of things i think are lacking in a lot of schoolkids/teens growing up these days. As it stands that place was full when we came to register, but our second choice is excellent. Ooops gave the game away. The food is really really good in the place we use too.
Edited by Blown2CV on Friday 23 November 11:17
Edited by Blown2CV on Friday 23 November 11:18
richatnort said:
OK good to know. Is there any proof that nursery develops the child more than a child minder or is it just preference?
It will depend on the child minder or nursery. You can use the Ofsted reports as a guide (and I stress guide as there is a lot of box ticking with Ofsted and they miss a lot of "softer" aspects; personally I have an issue with their inspection model). An "Outstanding" may meet the Ofsted criteria but a "Good" might be every bit as stimulating and with happy kids.They both (should) follow the same curriculum and guidelines if they are registered.
https://www.gov.uk/ofsted-inspection-childcare-pro...
Nursery will have a wider array of staff, more likely to have done more formal child development qualifications. At the youngest ages, it is about stimulation, then play, then collaborative play.
Both nurseries and child minders should follow the Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS):
https://www.gov.uk/early-years-foundation-stage
Which is teaching/learning, but all through play (no lessons!) and it prepares a child well for school as late stage EYFS is pretty much the same as Foundation/Reception year at school - the biggest shock mine had was school was 9-3.15 but nursery was all day (and more play outside).
Ofsted also only inspects infrequently, so the reports can be historic and the place (and staff) may have changed significantly. Ours was moved to "Requires improvement" due to a paperwork/process error by the nursery staff - the place was still "excellent" and I would not hesitate to send my second child there...
Other parents tend to be the best guide. Ask around on you town/village facebook for recommendations. Some nurseries have a parent representative who will be able to paint a balanced picture for you. Go round a few (there are many questions you can ask and I can provide some if needed) and compare... you will soon get a feel for which ones are on top of things...
Our Childminder has My little one and her own son who is 6 months older. She used head a nursery and then had her son and now wants to run her own business from home.
From what I've seen in my area, Childminders are a lot more one on one than Nurseries, and nurseries at feeding time is mental!
It's also more of an "extended family" feel at the childminders with less other little ones around. Childminder takes them to a different baby group each day, so the social stuff is there, and I feel you get a higher level of personal care from a Childminder. However as always YMMV and is very area dependant.
From a cost perspective, CM is £7-8ph and alot more flexible on times. Nursery was £10-15+ph and had much more set times for drop off/pick up.
So we found more flexible, cheaper and a nicer place to be but aware that childminders can be ill and they also go on holiday!!
From what I've seen in my area, Childminders are a lot more one on one than Nurseries, and nurseries at feeding time is mental!
It's also more of an "extended family" feel at the childminders with less other little ones around. Childminder takes them to a different baby group each day, so the social stuff is there, and I feel you get a higher level of personal care from a Childminder. However as always YMMV and is very area dependant.
From a cost perspective, CM is £7-8ph and alot more flexible on times. Nursery was £10-15+ph and had much more set times for drop off/pick up.
So we found more flexible, cheaper and a nicer place to be but aware that childminders can be ill and they also go on holiday!!
Vaud said:
Blown2CV said:
no because remember they get that from each child...
No, I was going on "Our Childminder has My little one and her own son who is 6 months older."I don't mind if that is what she wants to charge, I'm just curious that it is so low with only one child (plus her own)
Blown2CV said:
oh right missed that bit. Maybe it's also someone to play with for her son or something.
There are plans for a second minder to join and another child there from January, however that's the max. As there's a limit of how many children a single person can look after. But as mentioned, I think we've been lucky to get such a setup. Also i suppose at least it's some money (~£900 pcm) for staying at home anyway.
Lazadude said:
There are plans for a second minder to join and another child there from January, however that's the max. As there's a limit of how many children a single person can look after. But as mentioned, I think we've been lucky to get such a setup.
Also i suppose at least it's some money (~£900 pcm) for staying at home anyway.
Is she is Oftsed registered, has first aid - and knows the EYFS curriculum? (last point probably less important up to 18 months)Also i suppose at least it's some money (~£900 pcm) for staying at home anyway.
Vaud said:
Is she is Oftsed registered, has first aid - and knows the EYFS curriculum? (last point probably less important up to 18 months)
Yes to first 2, curriculum I think so, we have lots of learning goals and what we've achieved and where we should be etc. As she used to work in a nursery, I suspect it's all fed across.Congrats to all the new and expectant dads, it felt like a long time since i posted on an old PH thread for new dads- we now have a 6 year old girl and 18m old boy.
Some advice that we were given, that i've always passed on:
- Take a baby moon before the first arrives- your life will change fundamentally with kids, but you odn't really see it until you are a few years in
- As a new parent, if people want to visit then they have to do jobs, you are not there to work for other people
- Don't be fooled by the first 2 weeks of a new baby
- Plan for a horrific birth experience but expect something natural- we had two where the missus had a water bath, gas and air, and came out of hospital the same day- baby two she gave birth to in 2hours.
- Its ok to cry when baby is born. (i sobbed like a good un- i was in awe of my wife on both occasions for her quiet toughness- but god i felt totally undone by not being to protect her from the pain)
- You can't injure a baby by holding their legs in the air to change a nappy- in fact generally they are pretty tough little buggers
- You baby doesn't know your on holiday, so wil still wake you up at 6am. You don't get lie ins anymore......
- You will be a better dad than you fear you will be
- Support each other, you are your partners safety net and vice versa
- They really do suck up as much money as people say they do!
Some advice that we were given, that i've always passed on:
- Take a baby moon before the first arrives- your life will change fundamentally with kids, but you odn't really see it until you are a few years in
- As a new parent, if people want to visit then they have to do jobs, you are not there to work for other people
- Don't be fooled by the first 2 weeks of a new baby
- Plan for a horrific birth experience but expect something natural- we had two where the missus had a water bath, gas and air, and came out of hospital the same day- baby two she gave birth to in 2hours.
- Its ok to cry when baby is born. (i sobbed like a good un- i was in awe of my wife on both occasions for her quiet toughness- but god i felt totally undone by not being to protect her from the pain)
- You can't injure a baby by holding their legs in the air to change a nappy- in fact generally they are pretty tough little buggers
- You baby doesn't know your on holiday, so wil still wake you up at 6am. You don't get lie ins anymore......
- You will be a better dad than you fear you will be
- Support each other, you are your partners safety net and vice versa
- They really do suck up as much money as people say they do!
Blown2CV said:
i don't know how long the scheme has been extended until but childcare vouchers are worth signing up for if the childcare needs are not too far into the distant future. Whether they are accepted or not in your childcare options may help drive the decision.
Finished in October for new entrants to the childcare voucher scheme, but there is still the Government's tax free childcare scheme if you qualify.In terms of nursery Vs childminder, I oftener wondered that unless you really know the person there isn't much to really trust that a childminder is doing the best for your child - is do they just plonk them in front of CBeebies all day? Nursery is more structured and they would potentially get the chance to do more activities that they would at home, and improve social skills etc.
Vaud said:
Lazadude said:
There are plans for a second minder to join and another child there from January, however that's the max. As there's a limit of how many children a single person can look after. But as mentioned, I think we've been lucky to get such a setup.
Also i suppose at least it's some money (~£900 pcm) for staying at home anyway.
Is she is Oftsed registered, has first aid - and knows the EYFS curriculum? (last point probably less important up to 18 months)Also i suppose at least it's some money (~£900 pcm) for staying at home anyway.
I guess it covers for those parents that don't want to actually be parents, or make good decisions for their kids!
PugwasHDJ80 said:
Vaud said:
Lazadude said:
There are plans for a second minder to join and another child there from January, however that's the max. As there's a limit of how many children a single person can look after. But as mentioned, I think we've been lucky to get such a setup.
Also i suppose at least it's some money (~£900 pcm) for staying at home anyway.
Is she is Oftsed registered, has first aid - and knows the EYFS curriculum? (last point probably less important up to 18 months)Also i suppose at least it's some money (~£900 pcm) for staying at home anyway.
I guess it covers for those parents that don't want to actually be parents, or make good decisions for their kids!
PugwasHDJ80 said:
Oh god the idea of a EYFS curriciulum made me so cross- the idea that any child under 5 needs a curriculum is insane- what htey need is to be kids and to learn from all sorts of different sources.
I guess it covers for those parents that don't want to actually be parents, or make good decisions for their kids!
Look into it and report back...I guess it covers for those parents that don't want to actually be parents, or make good decisions for their kids!
It's not a curriculum that you can easily compare to school. It's all about play and exploration - a framework for nurseries, preschool and childminders to help them. It is also useful for parents to be better parents.
It also helps identify at an early stage any possible extra support needed for a child at foundation/reception and ease their transition into school.
But hey, you be cross.
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