What Do I Do?

[tiggerblue10]

I am looking for to put Little Tiggs into a nursery but never having done this before I'd like to get some advice from ABers. He's been with a childminder since 11 months. She is stopping at the ned of June as she's pregnant.

As he was born in May I've been told that he can't start until beginning of September. What are my choices from July to beginning of September? Is it just that we don't qualify for the early years funding or have I got the wrong end of the stick here? I'm confused.

[bednobs]

you can start a child in a private nursery any time you want as long as they have a space. it may be the one you are asking at doesn't have any spaces till then? They usually have waiting lists (for popular ones)

[tamborine]

Are there no extended family, friends or groups available? I used to care for my vets children while she worked.

Set up a group if you have to.

[bednobs]

what does "set up a group" mean exctly tamb?
or alternatively for an easy life, just put him in a nursery!

[tamborine]

A group of mothers. We had WI & willing school mums to use. I got free vet in return for caring.

[DaisyNonna]

Set up a group many years ago. Have no idea how elf and stultify woud react now.

[bednobs]

to do any childcaring you have to be registered with ofsted nowadays

[bednobs]

groups are all very well i suppose, if you have something you can offer in return. I can't imagine that i could say to someone "here, look after my child full time, and i'll let you share my special skill of sitting on the sofa eating cakes"

[tamborine]

I have my g'kids over school hols & am not registered - while their mum bakes bespoke celeb cakes ;)

[tiggerblue10]

Sorry, I forgot to mention the word "nursery" as in [i]"he can't start nursery unitl the beginning of September"[i].

My dad looks after him Mondays and Fridays and he's with the childminder the rest of the week. I suppose, like you say Bednobs, I could place him in a private nursery now before he qualifies for EYF but its going to be very costly. The only other thing I can do is take time off work but that will use up all my leave entitlement for the year. My mum might be able to take some time off work so we could split it where I take 4 lots of Tue/Wed/Thur and my mum does the other 4 weeks worth.

I don't know many other mothers as I placed him with a childminder from the start. She only looks after one other child who is one.

[loulou111]

Your local council office will have a list of all the registered childminders in your area. Also they should have information about if they have any spaces or not.

[tiggerblue10]

Thanks everyone for your help :o)

I've got all the nursery details but I just wondered what happened before beginning of September when he gets EYF.

I went to visit a nursery on Wednesday and it looks pretty good. Has a "Good" Ofsted rating and he can start at the beginning of July. I'll be paying full whack but for a couple of months.

[loulou111]

http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/earlylearningandchildcare/delivery/free%20entitlement%20to%20early%20education/a0070230/eigel

some info on this link

[tiggerblue10]

Thanks Loulou, just had a look at that but I can't find the bit about what the criteria is to be eligible for EIG.

[loulou111]

Whats EIG ?

[tiggerblue10]

Early Intervention Grant.

I've got a feeling I won't meet the criteria but I can't find where I can check this.

[boxtops]

I think you have to jump through quite a lot of hoops these days if you are childminding in your own home - home inspection and advanced CRB clearance would be the least I'd expect.

[tamborine]

Certainly Boxy, if you're being paid to child mind & running as a business. It might be worth staying home with babe if minding fees are too dear or until an alternative appears.

I've noticed asian grannies raise the babes while the parents work.

[mrs_overall]

A cheaper option would be to find another child minder in the interim period.
As someone said,your lcal council office/ social services keep a list of registered childminders in your area

[tiggerblue10]

I'd have loved to have stayed at home Tambo, but as a single (almost) parent I couldn't afford to take a career break.

[tiggerblue10]

I'll look into that as well Mrs O.