Returning to Work with Childcare.co.uk
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If you are looking to secure childcare, you’re going to want to check childcare co uk. One of the most stressful times I have had as a parent was deciding who was going to care for my children when I returned to work after maternity. Just weeks after giving birth, my sister asked me if I had sorted my childcare arrangements, and I will be honest, I was a bit taken aback. I’d literally only just met by baby, my maternity leave was just beginning, and quite frankly, the thought hadn’t even entered my mind.
Breastfeeding meant that Erin and I were pretty much permanently attached (literally) and therefore at this early stage, I couldn’t even comprehend the thought of someone else looking after my child in my absence. I was oblivious to the fact that securing your childcare options should be done as early as possible, still living in my little newborn bubble. I hadn’t even thought about what MY plans were going to be returning to work, let alone who was going to look after my new baby girl.
Without knowing where to start, I quickly started googling local nurseries and childminders, trying to wade through the treacle of options that were available, feeling incredibly overwhelmed and extremely emotional at the prospect.
With pros and cons of every childcare option, whether it be nursery, childminders, a nanny, grandparents or a combination of any of the above, finding childcare can be a bit of a minefield and it can be hard to know where to start! I wish I’d known about childcare co uk – as the process would have been far more stress free!
Who are Childcare.co.uk?
Childcare co uk is a social networking platform for parents, childcare providers and private tutors, and is a great way for parents to find out more about the childcare options available to them. Childcare.co.uk was established in 2009 and grown to be a leading childare site, trusted by over 2 million members.
Free and easy to register, parents looking for childcare can simply create a profile – advertising your specific requirements (however complex or complicated they may be). Childcare providers can then contact you if they feel they may be a good match for your childcare needs. You can also search for local childcare providers by postcode to see who’s close to you, browse childcare providers profiles, and learn more about their experience, qualifications, availability and fees.
All childcare providers on childcare.co.uk come with real parent reviews, where they are rated and reviewed by other families. These ratings are really helpful when deciding who you want to meet, as you can see that they are ‘tried and tested’ by other people just like you.
Even better, should you wish to have an initial chat with one of the childcare providers, you can do so via the safe and secure messaging tool on childcare.co.uk, which allows you to communicate and ask any questions you may have without revealing any personal information – not even your email address. This is great for security and peace of mind.
There are no commission or booking fees payable to childcare co uk, and the service is entirely free of charge.
Once you have found a childcare option that suits you, you can then arrange to meet them before carrying out your own checks and references and negotiating your own rates based on your own budgets and requirements. It is recommended that you ask for written proof of qualifications, registration certificates, insurance and DBS checks as well as written or verbal references from other parents.
Using Childcare co uk’s free Checking Childcare Providers guide and safety centre will ensure you find out as much information as you can, and hire as safely as possible. They even have loads of helpful resources you can read to simplify the process, including a Nanny Interview Questions guide and hints and tips on finding a childcare provider!
One things for certain, deciding on who is going to look after your children when you go back to work is one of the most important decision you will make, but thanks to Childcare.co.uk; getting the process started has become a whole lot easier.
My main advice would be don’t delay – take the pressure off yourself and start early. It may feel like the last thing you want to think about, but a lot of childcare providers book up pretty fast with many people starting to explore their options whilst their babies are still in the womb! It will be a massive weight off your mind when you have met them in person and have one less thing to worry about when your maternity comes to an end.
