Topic ID 820
Hi everyone - I wonder if anyone can help me.. Can anyone recommend a good childminder or pre-school nursery for a young baby in Hertford? I am currently pregnant, and am planning to take 6 months off once the baby is born, but will need to go back to work after this time. I know nothing about any of the nurseries in Hertford - which are good/not so good etc. and don't know any local mums to ask these things of. This may seem premature, but everyone keeps telling me I need to be sorting things out now! If anyone can recommend a nursery/childminder that they have themselves used, please let me know.. Thanks [:)]
Reply ID 9038
Good luck finding a nanny/childminder. We are searching too but most want lots of money and to bring their kids also. We are considering an Au Pair now. As for nurseries, our first went to Grasshoppers near County Hall which was very good though quite crowded and doesn't have a good garden. Our second will be going to Busy Bees at Hartham which my Wife says looks better but is a bit more expensive.
Reply ID 9039
My daughter is at Tiny Toes, who have recently moved from Baker Street to Chambers Street, she's been very happy there. They have places too I think. http://www.hertsdirect.org/comdirectory/comvol/child2y/edpres3y/edpday4y/nurshert/?view=Printlist
Reply ID 9044
quote:Au Pair Eh Mr Fandago!!!! Nice one Centurian!
Originally posted by carlos fandango
Good luck finding a nanny/childminder. We are searching too but most want lots of money and to bring their kids also. We are considering an Au Pair now. As for nurseries, our first went to Grasshoppers near County Hall which was very good though quite crowded and doesn't have a good garden. Our second will be going to Busy Bees at Hartham which my Wife says looks better but is a bit more expensive.
Reply ID 9059
Bengobabe, have you joined NCT?? They run bumps and babes group for mums who are expecting around the same time. Its a good way to meet other new mums and also find out what they are doing re childcare. Gill
Reply ID 9060
I've been very happy with Grasshoppers behind County Hall. Both my children have been there (one still there), children are treated kindly and are taught to respect one another, have good manners etc. The drawback is the small garden area but it seems nowhere has everything. Personally I would not leave a very young child with an au pair they are mostly too young, untrained and inexperienced to be suitable for babies and pre-school children. I've had au pairs for my school aged child and have had mixed experiences. It definitely pays to make arrangements asap as demand for places outstrips supply.
Reply ID 9071
quote:Thanks everyone for all your helpful suggestions. Yes Gill, I have been in contact with the NCT, but they've told me to wait til nearer my due date (beg. december) before joining.[:)]
Originally posted by GillP
Bengobabe, have you joined NCT?? They run bumps and babes group for mums who are expecting around the same time. Its a good way to meet other new mums and also find out what they are doing re childcare. Gill
Reply ID 9104
Agree with you Citybird but the eyewatering cost and demands of the childminders and the nannies we have interviewed makes an au pair to do the afternoon school run etc an option to be considered.
Reply ID 9206
One other thing might be of use. When you go back to work try and get some of your salary in nursery vouchers. You don't pay income tax on them and the company doesn't pay national insurance. Don't know how well the Inland Revenue advertise this but that they exist was news to my Wifes employer and most other people i mention them to.
Reply ID 9207
There's a page about Childcare Vouchers on the County Council website... http://www.hertsdirect.org/caresupport/childfam/younginherts/workingparents/vouchersemployer/
Reply ID 9209
My two have both been extremely happy Busy Bees children. Little one is still there. The things that swung it for me with Busy Bees when looking at alternative nurseries were - - staff actually seem to like children and were interested in mine when we looked around. A stark contrast to alternative nurseries. - staff and children seemed happy and cheerful - children seem to spend a large part of the day in the garden - weather permitting. This means that they can play all sorts of noisy games, bicycles, scooters, paddling pools, picnics, etc. Again this was a huge contrast to other nurseries where I was promised 20 minutes a day as the children had to take turns in the little patch. Expensive - but I never had a moments worry about them or my children.
Reply ID 9211
Which nursery is it that has that charming little chariot that holds 6 children? I've quite often seen it around town and the children seem to really enjoy the attention they get!
Reply ID 11829
quote:Just been to visit Tiny Toes on Chamber St. and it was sitting outside their premises, so I guess that answers that question. [:)]
Originally posted by nora batty
Which nursery is it that has that charming little chariot that holds 6 children? I've quite often seen it around town and the children seem to really enjoy the attention they get!
Reply ID 11832
My son goes there at the moment, he is 6 months old and smiles every day I drop him off and smiles every evening when I pick him up. So he must enjoy it. I however, cry every time I look at my bank statement. Their only negative is they will not administer Calpol or Baby Nurophen.
Reply ID 11833
quote:Their fees look to be on a par with the other places around though, so that'll happen wherever - though childcare is less than the extra income. Thanks for the feedback, though.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
My son goes there at the moment, he is 6 months old and smiles every day I drop him off and smiles every evening when I pick him up. So he must enjoy it. I however, cry every time I look at my bank statement. Their only negative is they will not administer Calpol or Baby Nurophen.
Reply ID 11836
Thats silly about the calpol or nurofen. My 9mth old is teething big time at the moment and it is made easier with the pain relief.
Reply ID 11840
What is the reason they give for not administering Calpol?
Reply ID 11842
quote:Not insured, probably.
Originally posted by CityBird
What is the reason they give for not administering Calpol?
Reply ID 11862
TBH, I cant really remember, I was so hacked off at being called for the 4th time in a month to be told his temperature was over 100, especially as wehn I got there he gave me a big grin and chuckled. I think the insurance thing may have something to do with it/. But I will have to give them the benifit of doubt, as the last time they called he was truthfully ill. So..........
Reply ID 11868
Some of the other nurseries make you sign consent forms for them administer calpol and the like.
Reply ID 12088
I am a fully qualified nanny with over 10 years experiance and I am going to start childminding from January if interested......
Reply ID 12096
Nanny - definately interested - are you a qualified childminder? Can you give me your email address so I can contact you? I'm currently trawling through lists of childminders..
Reply ID 12106
It is sarah (at) sarahschildminding (dot) co (dot) uk
Reply ID 12153
quote:The Tiny Toes Bus.
Originally posted by nora batty
Which nursery is it that has that charming little chariot that holds 6 children? I've quite often seen it around town and the children seem to really enjoy the attention they get!
quote:because it is not a prescription medication is apparantly the reason. My son goes to Tiny Toes and loves it, another [:o)]recommendation for them. They are also good for the voucher schemes and were happy to jump through the hoops required of them to register with another one of the companies that offer these vouchers so I could save some money.
Originally posted by GillP
Thats silly about the calpol or nurofen. My 9mth old is teething big time at the moment and it is made easier with the pain relief.
Reply ID 12368
Can you all let us know the fees you pay? I have 4 week old twins, and I'm going to need care in 5 months time. How much will it cost me!?!
Reply ID 12376
quote:Alot, but well worth it. I know that 1 baby is £47 per day.
Originally posted by Dude
Can you all let us know the fees you pay? I have 4 week old twins, and I'm going to need care in 5 months time. How much will it cost me!?!
Reply ID 12380
quote:It could well be cheaper to have a nanny or childminder.
Originally posted by Dude
Can you all let us know the fees you pay? I have 4 week old twins, and I'm going to need care in 5 months time. How much will it cost me!?!
Reply ID 12383
£47 per day!!!! No wonder my other half's friend was so popular at £3 per hour per child.
Reply ID 12393
quote:The drawback is that should the nanny/childminder let you down, you're stuffed (unless you are lucky enough to have emergency childcare backup). On the plus side, if your child is sick a nanny will still be able to care for it, and, depending on what the sickness is, a childminder probably would too. Most kids want a parent when they are sick. With something like chickenpox a child may well feel fine but the nursery will refuse to have them for quite a while to prevent infection. Nurserys are also little hotbeds of infection, so the number of nursery days lost through sickness v. number of days a chldminder/nanny would let you down must also be considered.
Originally posted by JohnSmith
£47 per day!!!! No wonder my other half's friend was so popular at £3 per hour per child.
Reply ID 12396
Devil Parent Deep Blue Sea
Reply ID 12400
I am lucky with childcare, my MrsP senior looks after littleP on a Thursday and Friday. Couldnt imagine being back at work full time.
Reply ID 12405
quote:A fortune, most places/minders will offer a discount but not much..welcome to the twins club ..it does get better..and it gives you a great sense of pride when people come up and oh and ahh about them..good luck !
Originally posted by Dude
Can you all let us know the fees you pay? I have 4 week old twins, and I'm going to need care in 5 months time. How much will it cost me!?!
Reply ID 12476
quote:As others have said, a lot, you have to remember at that age the staffing level is one employee to 3 baybees, so you are effectivly paying for 2/3 of an employee plus premesis costs, food nappies, etc.
Originally posted by Dude
Can you all let us know the fees you pay? I have 4 week old twins, and I'm going to need care in 5 months time. How much will it cost me!?!
Reply ID 12555
Basically....I'm screwed! My wife would not earn anywhere near enough to pay for the childcare. Can anyone recommend a good agency for Nannies!?
Reply ID 12565
I rang the one that advertised on here, she charges £4.50 ph. Not sure if she would discount for the second child, but I guess that thats pretty much the rates. So yes we are all screwed. From our searching we found that the cheapest creché was the one by Ebert wurlings cannot remember the name, but I think it was £35 ish per day, but did not supply food and milk and shut at 5.30.
Reply ID 12575
Does it still exist? I think it is closed or closing down when the govt. ees move out of the building.
Reply ID 12578
I think you mean Bonnie Babies - it's still there.
Reply ID 12580
Childcare may be expensive but all the nurseries have waiting lists so demand definitely outstripping supply. Fees at my child's nursery have recently gone up 12% eating up all the tax/NI savings made through the latest childcare voucher scheme - I do wonder about the timing!
Reply ID 19868
what is the current costing for childcare in hertford doe anyone know please
Reply ID 19924
I pay around £650 a month for my 4 year old to go to day nursery for a baby I'd guess it's around £850 now.
Reply ID 19929
quote:I think it's nearer £1000 full time for a baby! I pay £400 a month for 2 days a week care.
Originally posted by CityBird
I pay around £650 a month for my 4 year old to go to day nursery for a baby I'd guess it's around £850 now.
Reply ID 19934
Hi, i am a new childminder, however i have been nannying since 1997 so i am by no means new to children! I also have my own 10mth old. I am in Hertford and if you would like to contact me my email is [email protected] I am keeping my numbers very low to provide more one to one care. I am CRB checked and i am registered with ofsted.