Forum Babysitting and daycare

Childminders

15 replies

Anonymous
Ladies, I have a question about daycare. Who has experience with it and what’s your opinion? I’ll be going back to work in a few months, and we’re considering this option for our twins.

Love,
Sophia

Replies

  1. Ster #2

    I really like it that my three boys go to the daycare, and they have a blast there! There's lots of attention for them, and it's very homey. Our daycare provider also has two other kids around the same age, so they play together a lot. That's not the case with every daycare provider, of course.

  2. My1987 #3

    We also have a babysitter. Our little one will start going there around June 15th, but since my sister-in-law is the babysitter, it's a different story altogether.

  3. Sas #4

    We have a nanny in our village.
    But it's really going super well!
    There are 6 kids spread across the week and she looks after kids between 0 and 12 years old. Super, my son gets to interact with all ages and also goes along to pick up and drop off the kids, he thinks it's amazing.
    Besides, it's an old farmhouse with all sorts of animals and stuff, so he has a great time.
    I bring him quite regularly whenever I need some babysitting help, and she'll even come with me to the hospital for the birth.. Also overnight during the birth.
    Super! Flexible and much cheaper per hour than daycare. I only pay for the hours she's there, and with daycare it's usually half-days (at least with most of them).
    At daycare you have fixed days.. with a nanny it's similar but I can always call if I need babysitting
    Of course it costs money too, but she has a top place. We don't have any parents left who can step in, and the rest work during the day so yeah, this is super! Really worth looking around, that's important.
    I can only recommend it!

  4. Anne #5

    Hi there

    I'm a nanny myself, working at a client's home, and I've also worked in daycare for years.

    I'm a big supporter of nanny care, not because I'm one myself, but let me explain why briefly.

    In daycare, the caregivers have sooooo many tasks... Personal attention for your child often falls short!! A nanny is really there for the child, because it's a home-like environment, which gives children a safe and familiar feeling! The groups are smaller, so the attention can be distributed so much better.

    If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message anytime.

    Best wishes

  5. Anonymous started this #6

    Ladies, thank you for your responses. It's nice to read that they're all positive.
    We've already found a nanny nearby through a childcare agency. Next week we'll have the introductory meeting.

    I see all the positive points of nanny care, but I still keep doubting. With toddlers you quickly notice whether care works out, but with a baby... Trust in the nanny - that's what matters most to me... We'll see next week how the first meeting goes.

  6. Sas #7

    Hi Sophia,

    I’d also ask around about the experiences with the daycare provider you had the introductory meeting with.
    Ask critical questions about everythingeverything

    Where they sleep and what they do etc..

  7. Ster #8

    Don't do it if you have even a tiny doubt. But keep looking until you really feel good about the childcare for your child. Because one day will come when you have to leave them crying, and if you already had a little doubt about the childcare, that feeling will only get stronger. And if you don't have any doubts about the childcare, such a moment is already hard enough.

  8. Anonymous started this #9

    Love you, Marlies but I live in The Hague. I see you're pregnant! Congratulations

    We had a nice chat with a babysitter. But for practical reasons, it's not going to work out. She lives in an apartment, and with two Maxi Cosis and my back problems, that's not a good combination... plus, she has pets. I'm a cat lover myself, but it's not so handy with crawling babies.

    We also visited a daycare center (recommended by a colleague). It'll definitely be fun for the kids when they're a bit older and can play with the other children.

    So I've concluded that having a babysitter at our home is the best option for my twins until they're a bit older. Next week is the introductory meeting. I'll let you know.

    Nynke, are you going for another child? That's lovely! We chatted about the previous pregnancy. How are things with you now?

  9. Tamtam (Tamara) #10

    Hey Sophia!
    We also have a nanny for Finn and we're really happy with it! She's quite flexible, I sometimes swap days with her. And she has a maximum of 6 kids, up to 4 years old. Finn always sees the same face, he really likes it there! Also easy contact via app and stuff. I wouldn't want it any other way. Good luck with your choice! When do you have to go back to work?

  10. Ster #11

    Yeah, that's right! In 8 months we want to try again. My sister will have her diploma by then and can take over my tasks at the company if I get sick again. Things are going great with me—I'm now a farmer, truly the job of my life, lots of time outdoors. On top of that, I work as a substitute caregiver at a daycare. I feel so blessed that I've been able to turn two of my passions into my work. I also paint and draw, but that's just my hobby. I joke that I'll become an artist, hehe!

  11. Anonymous started this #12

    Nynke, you're doing such a great job juggling your business, kids, and hobbies! Good luck with getting pregnant this time! Hopefully fewer complaints.

    Tamara, I see you're pregnant! I'm so happy for you! Congratulations Was it quick this time?
    From what age will Finn go to the daycare provider?
    I have to start working again in September. Then my kids will be 8 months old.

    Sas, are you also going to send your child to a daycare provider? Do you know what it will be?

    Annemarie, my husband finds it a bit difficult to have a daycare provider at our home, especially entrusting the whole house to someone besides the kids. But this daycare provider has been known to the agency for a long time and has good references. I'm curious, hopefully it works out. I think it's the best option for our twins.

    My1987, I'm curious about your experience soon with a daycare provider. Family is of course quite different.

    Thanks again for your responses, ladies.

    Love,
    Sophia

  12. Tamtam (Tamara) #13

    Hey there Sophia!
    That's great that you still have some leave, how did you manage that? Did you take parental leave or something?
    But yeah, definitely do your research... I'm curious how the conversation goes.

    Yeah, well, I'm pregnant! It still feels so surreal. We thought, let's give it another try, you know how it takes a bit longer in your head, that's why we stopped the pill a bit earlier (when Finn was 11 months). But now quickly pregnant, after just 4 months! And we didn't even try all that hard. Really special! But super happy, of course! Thank you, dear!

  13. Anne #14

    Marlies, what a funny coincidence, I live in Gorinchem too

  14. Sas #15

    Congratulations Tamtam!!!
    @Sophia yes, we want to send our second one to our daycare provider again too.
    It's already familiar now, my son has been there for 2 years and it'll be a lot quieter there soon because 3 kids are moving

  15. Marlies #16

    Marlies what a coincidence, I live in Gorinchem too
    annemarie85


    What a coincidence!
    We were also trying to get pregnant from September. Now just 6 weeks pregnant

    Hopefully you'll get pregnant soon too!

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