nanny vs creche

Emma, I do prefer the idea of a daymother to creche, I dont mind kids of mixed ages playing together I get that sometimes the biggers ones can be quite wild, but if I have the option of my child being in a 4m2 room with 5 other kids (the same age) and even less toys than he has at home with only an hour or 2 a day outside / or.. playing amongst older kids all day, I prefer the latter.

Thanks guys. Yes I think that children at such a young age learn more (obviously) from someone who can speak etc. duh. And also from individual attention. Plus my little guys is super spoilt and I'm sure the fist little bit esp will be a super adjustment for him.

I am very anti creche if you can avoid them. Esp for small people. I kept Em at home with me till she was 3 and then she went to a small play group 3 times a week half day, and then everyday half day. Now she goes to big school, she is perfectly social and hardly ever got sick as a child.

I'll be keeping Kate at home till 3 as well. I prefer this as they can comminucate with you and tell you if certain things upset them. I have a nanny to help with Kate and its working out great.

Hi memo

I had every intention of putting Paige into a play group at around 18 -24 months, I thought she would need stimulation by that age,we found a playgroup with max 12 kids. Then she would go to pre school at age 3.

I have recently read a book called " how not to fu*k them up" and it talks about caring for under 3's. Its written by a child psychologist and he says under 3's do not need the company of other children or stimulation, but rather one to one care from a responsive carer. Studies show elivated levels of cortisol ( stress hormone) in children in creche's and the elivated levels can still be measured years later.

It further says that if you are going to use daycare to look for one with favourable ratios, no more than 3 - 4 children per carer or teacher

I work from home and have a nanny who helps out when I need to get work done, and have now decided to keep Paige at home with the nanny and I until age 3 when she goes off to pre school

We go to be sharp beetles once a week and meet other moms and babies for coffee once a week so she gets out and interacts with other kids.
I think a nanny is the best option if you find the right nanny, our nanny is great with Paige and often more patient with her than me...

As the other ladies have said its a bit of a problem when nanny is off, but I work from home and also have my mom as back up and my nanny has had about 3 days sicl leave in 1.5 years so she is hardly off.

The key to a good nanny is being thorough in interviwing, doing refernce checks and don't be in a rush, when you find the right person you will know

I had Lilly at a creche when I first went back to work and it was one of the worst times in my (and her life)! I am yet to see a creche that does not practice CIO and teachers that don't think it's not harmful. She was sick all the time and I'm not talking about minor stuff! I am also convinced that the psychological trauma made her sick, not only the germs. I am still feeling super guilty for having to let her stay for 6 weeks until we could finally take her out. Getting a nanny was the best decision ever. In my opinion, attachment parenting and creches don't go well together. I must add that Lilly was only 6 months and quite a high needs baby, now it would probably be a bit easier to send her. Still I think it's best for little ones to stay at home for the first 2-3 years if possible.

hi memo - I had this same dilemma when i returned to work. However, I found a small little daymom group and she is very happy there. I discovered that she really loved the stimulation of doing different things and being with others. I have also heard so many 'bad' stories about nannies that it put me off getting one. However, there are still many moms who have them and are very happy! When she is 18 months she will go to a bigger daycare & I feel its better than a nanny simply because she is someone who needs stimulation and entertainment. Being stuck at home, i feel, might make her bored and lonely. As for the sickness, she has been fine. I was more worried about nanny that takes weeks off at a time for various illnesses then i would REALLY be stuck. At least at daycare there is always someone to take care of her. It is, as they say, a personal choice and that babies under 2 should ideally be with a 1:1 caregiver. Thereafter they will benefit from a creche. If you find a great nanny then that will give you peace of mind, especially if your child is happy too

Hi Memo,

I'm now 26 weeks pregnant, and seriously considering a nanny for when I'm going back to work. I'm totally with you, I also don't want to send my baby to an overcrowded school where they pick up all kinds of diseases. I see my friends' kids get sick so often. On the other hand........ one of my friends also have a nanny at home. But today she phoned her and let her know that she has to go to the clinic, she's not feeling well. Luckily her mother can get off work to look at the little one, I won't have that privilege of a mother nearby. So I don't know what I will do in a situation like that. Or imagine the nanny just don't pitch for the day....... Oh well, that is still a chance that I will take. Good luck with your decision!!!