Child minders?
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@Sarahjane I’m a sahm, I won’t get funding unfortunately, also on maternity leave with my new baby. So I can pay for the fees with my maternity pay x
I love sending ours to a childminder. Both ours see it as home from home now and her and her family see our children as an extension of their family. We really love that about a childminder. They go on day trips like to zoo or farm, get taken on a bus as a treat etc. She takes them to toddler groups too. And it's usually cheaper than a nursery! We don't know the other parents as it's not quite the same as a nursery or school drop off as we all have different times, but that may depend on your childminder. Be aware that some will only accept them for a minimum amount of time so you'd have to ask if they will do 2 x half days. Ours is minimum 2 x whole days although we do currently only do one whole day because there's two of them, but it makes it difficult to fill other spaces as most people need more than that. We totally recommend a childminder :)!
Everyone does and you’re not legally a stay at home mum. If you’re getting maternity pay, you have a job so you can get the funding. I’m not eligible as my mum can’t claim for family, despite the fact she’s been doing for 30 years, but pretty much everyone can claim. And if you’re earning less money, you can claim more hours of free funding. It used to be 3 plus, unless you were a low earner and then it started at 2. Now everyone can claim
@Sarahjane how do I claim please x
https://www.gov.uk/check-eligible-free-childcare-if-youre-working This stated you can claim if on maternity. I’ve not done this myself- I’m unable to as I’m leaving her with family. But this should help
Childminders are a lot better than a nursery in my opinion. I mean I am biased as my mum is one and I know a fair few. But I like them generally as they are a lot more flexible, they go out with the LO’s a lot more. To soft play, groups, meet ups etc. they have to do all the paper work and observations as a nursery, but there numbers are smaller, so the LO’s get more attention/ focus. You don’t get the childcare apps, but most will send you updates and pictures over messages anyway. I also phone each day at lunch, no problem! Don’t forget the you can apply for funding too, for childminders or nursery’s to help pay the costs.