Childcare: what are the options?

Modern parenthood is often about striking a balance between caring for your children and earning a crust,  with many families needing outside help to cope. If you don't know your nannies from your au pairs, read our guide to childcare and decide what's right for you and your family.

Choosing childcare

Most couples need two incomes to make ends meet, which gets complicated once your baby is born.

There are various possibilities:

• one of you works days, the other nights (good for exclusive time with your child, bad for time with each other)
• both work part-time (hard to arrange and might not bring in enough money)
• Grandparents (if they’re available and up for it) 
• professional childcare - options include childminders, au pairs, nannies and nurseries.

You need to balance two questions: what’s best for your child and what can you afford?

• Can you share work and kids in the UK?

Nannies

Think Mary Poppins - usually they’re full-time and able to devote themselves to your children.

• You'll need enough money to afford her (or his) salary and an employment contract. You will also be responsible for deducting tax and National Insurance.
• Rates depend on experience and demand, and the nature of their work means that they are usually contracted to one family for a lengthy period of time.
• If you employ a live-in nanny, you’ll need a spare room.
• When choosing a nanny use a reputable agency; there are no government regulations concerning nannies so you should check references and qualifications carefully.
• Consider three questions. How does she relate to your child? Does she share your approach to childcare (bedtimes, feeding, sleep, rewards, sanctions)? Do you both get on with her?

Au pairs

In the UK, au pairs are usually foreign students.

• They live as part of the family and look after your child, often balancing this with their studies. 
• If they come from non-EU countries, au pairs can work a maximum of 25 hours a week.
• If they are from within the EU they can work 40 hours a week.

Childminders can be very flexible with timings, generally look after small groups of children and many have their own children.

• In England and Wales, childminders must complete a basic registration course and can look after six children under eight-years-old (no more than three of them under five).
• Again, they may not have any official training so check their references..
  

Nurseries

There are different types of nurseries. These include:

• State nursery schools - Free and often for two and a half hours a day from the age of three. Be warned, there may be a long waiting list and it pays to start thinking about registering your child well in advance.
• Community pre-schools - Independently run on a non-profit basis
• Private nurseries - Fees vary widely depending on where you live - up to £1000 per term
• Day nurseries - May be linked to a specific business or organisation. Check to see if your employers have any childcare provision.

When choosing a nursery try www.childcarelink.gov.uk or http://www.iscis.uk.net for advice and information. Look at what the children are doing and whether there’s enough space for them to play. Are they enjoying themselves? What’s the adult-child ratio? Access their inspection report at www.ofsted.gov.uk.

• Choosing a nursery: what you need to know

• Some operate on a part-time drop-in basis where your child can go for part of the day.
• Most are run on a voluntary basis but are registered by the Government.
• They charge minimal fees.

• Playgroups are a great way of getting your child used to other children (and of learning the hokey-cokey).
• You or a childminder needs to accompany your child.
• Playgroups often run two-hour sessions and charge fees to cover the running costs.

Author

Gavin Evans is a father of two daughters - aged 17 and 13 - and lives in North London. 15 years ago he changed gear from being a full-time reporter to full-time parent and part-time journalist. His writing on issues affecting fathers has been published in a wide range of publications including The Guardian, The Independent, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan, The Times and The New Statesman. He has written five books on sport, a chapter on men in Your Pregnancy Bible and is completing his first screenplay. Gavin also regularly posts blogs at www.gavinevans.net.

Your experiences

What are your experiences with different types of childcare? What's worked for you? Use the comments system below to share your experiences with other dads.