This document discusses various childcare options and their pros and cons. It compares the advantages and disadvantages of nurseries, grandparents/family care, nannies/au pairs, and childminders. For nurseries, advantages include cheaper costs than home care and accommodating different ages, while disadvantages include limited flexibility and not taking sick children. Grandparents provide unconditional love but may struggle with multiple children or overrule parents' choices. Nannies offer personalized care but have hidden costs and leave parents in difficult positions if sick. Childminders can be tailored to routines but may be expensive for extra hours and unable to care for sick children.

2. Choosing ChildcareEmily Rittner

3. If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers. Edgar W. Howe

4. NURSERIES DISADVANTAGES May have a high staff turnover No flexibility Limited input into your child’s routine May have to travel to get there Won’t take sick children

5. NURSERIES ADVANTAGES Cheaper then home based childcare Broad experience with toys, equipment, activities and people Reliable - open at least 50 weeks a year Can use childcare vouchers Can accommodate different ages

6. GRANDPARENTS/FAMILY DISADVANTAGES Money - can be a difficult area to navigate Your own choices maybe over ruled Can’t claim childcare vouchers Children may have fewer play-datesand /or activities May struggle with more thanone child

7. GRANDPARENTS/FAMILY ADVANTAGES Your child will be loved unconditionally Flexible Potentially no travelling Year round emergency cover You don’t have to formallyemploy someone

8. NANNIES/AU-PAIRS ETC DISADVANTAGES Wear and tear on your home Hidden costs - drop ins/extra classes/nanny’s food Can be hard to assert yourself Have to pay NI and TAX If she is sick it can leave you in adifficult position

9. NANNIES/AU-PAIRS ETC ADVANTAGES Very personalised care and flexible Does the child/ren’s laundry, shopping, cleaning and cooking Often long term - 1year+ Can adapt to changes such as anew baby Can claim childcare vouchers withan Ofsted registered nanny

10. CHILDMINDERS DISADVANTAGES Can be expensive if you need extra hours Can’t care for a sick child Can’t follow your routines precisely May have to travel to get to her May not be able to accommodate a sibling due to Ofsted guidelines

11. CHILDMINDERS ADVANTAGES Clear hours and expectations Can be moderately tailored to your childs normal routine May have a lot of experience to help you Cheaper then a nanny if you have one child Good access to local playgroups and other activities

12. Any kid will run any errand for you if you ask at bedtime. Red Skelton