Advice re childcare please

[mamachops]

Oh my God, I've just realised that my plan to go back to work at 6 months (she is 5 weeks old) is seriously flawed. I haven't got my DD on a childcare centre waiting list.:eek: I didn't realise waiting lists were so long.

I work shifts, and have a fairly forgiving roster organiser, but I don't have any family here to help out with childcare. DH would be able to look after her at weekends.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Are there any alternatives to childcare centres here (I'm from the UK)?

[the_queen]

Family Day Care. :) :) :) Look it up in your local phone book and ring NOW, there should be at least a few different "day care ladies" in your immediate area, and the further you're prepared to travel, the more options you have. When DD was in FDC we chose to find one very close to our house - but you could choose to find one very close to your work.

With FDC, the care hours can be much more flexible (as long as you don't exceed the number of hours per week that you're allowed - usually that's 50 hours per week) and my day care lady even had Vallerie overnight a couple of times. It's much cheaper than a child care centre, and it's more personalised care.

Good luck :thumbsup:

[rynosmum]

Otherwise look for new Childcare centres recently opened or about to open. We were on 14 waiting lists but a fortnight before I went back to work, they didn't have any free spots.

We luckily found a new centre and it had one spot left (phew).

Godd luck !

[kiwibird27]

Family Daycare for sure!!!!!! Especially with a wee baby Brissie centre's are really really hard to get into - especially the good ones, unless u know someone who knows a director REALLY well??!!
You don't know anyone in the uk with childcare experience who fancies a working holiday??? Your in a great spot for it and if they live in (if thats possible) they will be cheaper !!! Join a playgroup and look for brillant mums with nanny experience (or similar) Who could look after baby - often cheaper (cash???), and if your careful with background checks it could work out really well!!!
Perhaps a nanny - they will cost around $12-$16 an hour up there from memory!!!!

In QLD u can ask possible carers to apply for or show u there "BLUE CARD" Everyone who works with kids has one and its renewed every 2 years, its proof that, that person has no criminal convictions that would affect there care of children, The commissioner for children does them, when your at centre's wait listing, ask the director, she can probably give u the forms, it costs the applicant $40!!!! It like a blue credit card, has there name, a refernce number to confirm details and an expiry date!!!

Otherwise good luck - check out old childcare centre threads they will bereally useful - if u need more info please pm me

[mamachops]

'scuse my ignorance, but is family day care a childminder? ie a woman who minds the children at home?

I guess I'm a little worried about this option because of the variability of the carers. Does anyone have a 'checklist' of things you should look for when choosing one?

[draught]

Family day Care in Brisbane is indeed women (and some men) who look after children in their home. They are organised through a scheme, which has coordinators who match families and carers, ensure carer's houses are safe, that they are properly trained and supported, and who do regular (fortnightly) random spot checks to make sure all is going well. If you look them up in the phone book you will find the scheme that covers your area. Because they are a scheme you can claim child care benefit etc. the advantage of FDC is that they are flexible and cope with shift workers etc if you need them too. The ratio is normally one adult to four children or less so your child gets good care in that respect. As for the rest of it - you tend to have gut instincts as a mum about whether a certain person is the right one for your child. Definitely worth calling your local scheme.

[littlepumpkin]

Hi christoobs,

Yes, family day care is a carer who looks after children from their own home.
You need to make sure that the carer is:

- licenced (i don't know who they are licenced through in brisbane but in NSW it is DOCS or Family Day care association),
-The carer should also have their first aid certificate,
-ask about their experience (especially with the age of your baby),
-ask if they have any qualifications (though they are not required to)
-ask how long she is planning to continue to do family day care,
-if she is planning on moving house at all
-Spend some time with the carer and see if she seems to have similar values etc.
-Ask if she has any children
-Ask the age of the other children that she cares for
-Ask if she takes the children anywhere (in car or walking)
-Ask what she provides
-What you need to bring
-fees and goverment rebates
-ask the hours that she is open and if their are any extra fees if you are late
-ask if you can spend a couple of hours visiting with her for a couple of days before you start
-ask what happens if she is sick? and how offen she has been with the last year.
-ask how much time she usually has off each year and when


I hope this helps! Feel free to ask anymore questions.

Goodluck:)

[mamachops]

Thanks little pumpkin, most helpful.

I'm going to scour the yellow pages this afternoon.

[bec05]

I would add too, follow your gut instinct about the person (do you feel she is genuinely warm & caring?) and observe what the other babies are like in her care - do they seem happy? are they affectionate and relaxed with her? It sounds so basic but we got ourselves into trouble by putting reason over instinct. The woman in question was very qualified and experienced, had a great setup in her house, was convenient to our home and got a rave review from the FDC people. I did feel on my first visit that she was a bit harsh/scary and thought that the kids didn't seem very 'attached' to her (she made a great show of hugs & kisses etc but they tried to get away!). Stupidly I talked myself out of those thoughts - and our DD spent a couple of miserable months there, cried every time we took her and seemed depressed when we picked her up. It wasn't until we finally realised that it was more than just a settling in problem and decided to move her (to a slightly disorganised but very warm and caring lady) that we realised how fantastic FDC can be with the right person - she is so happy now.