Creche vs Nanny

I vote for NANNY!!! My nanny is truley a Godsend!!! I wouldn't be able to manage without her.

She didn't use to stay in, but since we moved, we now have a room for her. Sher, she is also from Diepsloot and the taxis to Broadacres are not to bad... she starts at 7am and hasn't been late. I just don't give her that option, I tell her: "if you are late, I am late, if I am late, I lose my job, then I can't pay you so then you lose your job..." that got the message accross and she is spot on every day!!

We just pitched up a couple of times out of the blue to check out our creche. I felt a bit rude, but hey if you're going to be looking after my little angel then I need to feel 100% at ease!

It's very important to randomly check on them, even once they've been there for a while (creche or nanny). DH sometimes goes to fetch C at odd times and is always impressed with what is going on.

I phoned the big creches in our area and asked for a referral to a daymom. I had to make an appointment at our present daycare but only because she does not allow strangers at her home when the kids are there.

There was one creche in our area which were very reluctant to see us during the day?????

The other one said come any time which I liked.

I have had the same nanny for the past 6 years and I do not regret it, I got my daughter while doing my last year at tech so the nanny was very hands on and really bonded with my daughter, she loves both my kids, I have a 21 month old son now and the nanny has also looked after him since birth.

Of course I do not abuse this woman but she is one of the blessings I appreciate in my life, of course nannies come with drama but I tolerate that for my kids. I know my kids are safe with her, she loves them and will do anything for them.

My kids are also very anti-social at a young age, my daughter was like that and when she was 4 yrs we saw that she was ok with other people and we took her to creche.

I am thinking of taking my son to creche earlier and might need to release my nanny but like RM I enjoy the luxury of having a live in nanny.

My opinion is that I would be far to nervous about leaving a stranger alone in my home with my child. Who knows what they could get up to. So unless it's someone that you trust implicitly with your most prized possession then I wouldn't go for a nanny.

My LG is in a small creche run by a wonderful woman and she absolutely loves going. In fact I get the feeling that she's bored at home

She has had a runny nose since starting about a month ago. It is a bit of work for me getting everything ready for her in the evenings for the next morning. I am less in control of what she eats during the day.

So yes, pros and cons...

Joli, Looks like me and you have the same luck regarding nannies.
Cj also stays at home with nanny sice 6 months, he is now 18 months. I will however be sending him to creche when he turns two, only for half day.
I did send my nanny on a course that is presented by Edubabe, they train them on feeding, stimulation, bathing, dressing and grade 1 firts aid. The course was R 1200.00, and it is so worth it!
Cj is a very happy child, and gets time to interact with other children as we have a lot of friends with toddlers slightly older and the same age as CJ, and I agree with Joli that children only really play with each other from age 2, before that it is parralel play where they play next to each other but not really together.
CJ has also only been on atibiotics three times in his life (18 months).
If I should have a baby now I would definetely go the same route and leave baby with nanny for first two years, I have never regretted my desicion.

One more thing. Dorcas is at my house at around 06h45 (I'm leaving the house at 06h20). Hubby is there then and Dorcas will help Kayla get ready for school - I just do her hair before I leave. She goes home when I get home - between 16h00 - 17h00. And she obviously does not work public holidays / weekends and the days I get home earlier, I let her go as well. Works for us.