Choosing a childcare option

This time last year, we had our first appointments to view creches in our local area. It was awful! Because it was the first step to admitting that maternity leave would eventually come to an end, and we’d have to leave Little Man to someone else’s care. I put off our research, and ultimately our decision, for as long as I could, but as Easter approached I had to face the reality that I was going back to work soon, and we didn’t have any childcare sorted!

We quickly made a decision that our preference was for a creche rather than a childminder. I was worried that if we went with a childminder, we’d be left in the lurch if the childminder got sick, or when they needed to take holidays. Don’t get me wrong – childminders definitely have their advantages. Smaller numbers can mean fewer viruses and less illness, and I always imagine that the childminder option is a more homely option for children. But I wanted the reassurance of a well-organised creche, with a well structured day, and backups in place if one carer gets sick or can’t work on a given day.

We went to see a number of creches. I had a set list of questions for each one. The main question I asked was about staff turnover. I had heard horror stories about the high staff turnover in some creches, and I had read online that higher staff turnovers can be indicative of unhappy staff. The last thing I wanted was for Little Man to be minded by someone who was miserable every day, or for his main carer to up and leave just when he was settled.

The other questions we asked were more routine:
• food: where was it made, and what was on the menu
• sleep: how many naps, and where do they sleep
• education: do they follow a specific curriculum
• numbers: how many babies/toddlers would be in the same room
• outdoor activities: do they ever take the babies/toddlers outdoors
• security: how easy is it to get into the building
• supplies: what do you have to supply – the creche we chose supplies wipes, creams, etc. but we have to supply nappies
• illness policy: what happens if baby gets sick

The next major factor we considered was whether to go for a small or a big creche. Each has pros and cons. From what I could see, small creches seem to be closed more often during the year because they have fewer staff members to cover holidays. Also, there seemed to be a larger range of ages in the one room. But smaller numbers can really suit a lot of babies better and of course, our doctor has advised us that kids tend to get sick less in smaller creches, although, they still get sick!

But in the end, we chose a large creche because we liked how everything is organised there. It suits us that they open all year around except Christmas and Bank Holidays. Also, we really like that the building was purpose built, so the setup is great in there.

The main thing I’m glad I did was go to visit several of them, and then just make the choice based on my gut instinct. I remember the first one I went to, I had heard great things about it, but it didn’t feel right to me. The staff there seemed moody and unfriendly – not the kind of environment I want to be dropping Little Man into. Whereas the creche we chose has very friendly staff members, who always take the time to talk to you, and have no qualms about giving hugs and kisses to the babies. Even now, months after Little Man has settled in, they take the time each evening to talk to me about how his day has gone, and answer any questions that I have. And he always looks happy there – in the mornings when we’re dropping him off, and in the evenings when we’re collecting him. And in the end, that’s what matters!