:: Childcare: Nannies, Au Pairs, Mother's Help, Doulas Childminders and Nurseries

Having decided that you need a nanny for your childcare, begins the problem of choosing what's right for you and your family.

Nannies
Nannies are employed by parents to look after children in the family home, usually while parents are working. They can provide high quality, flexible childcare in the familiar surroundings of the family home. Not all nannies are trained and there are no legal requirements for qualifications.

Live-in nannies live with the family they are working for, who provide them with food and a private bedroom in addition to their salary. Daily nannies come to the family home each day. Baby-sitting in the evenings might be arranged as part of the terms of employment, or in exchange for extra pay. Nanny-share - a personal arrangement where a nanny is shared by two (or more) families.

Mother’s Helps:
A mother's help usually work alongside the parent helping with childcare and general household work. Mother's helps are unlikely to have formal childcare qualifications, but may be experienced. Maternity nurses are specially trained to take care of new babies for up to three months after the birth. They generally live with the family.

Au Pair:
An au pair a single female or male aged 17-27 who wishes to live with a host family in order to improve the standard of foreign language. An Au-Pair should live as a member of a family undertaking some household and child care duties in return she should be given full board and lodgings, pocket money, support and friendship.

Doulas:
A Doula is an experienced woman who offers emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth. Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth, although they may or may not have given birth themselves. They have a good knowledge and awareness of female physiology.

Childminders:
Childminders look after children on domestic premises usually in the childminders own home. They must be registered with OFSTED. Childminders and family members over 16 must have a police check before they are able to work. Their home will be inspected before they start plus random visits. They are cheaper than nannies, can offer a similar level of personal care and are ideal for younger kids who haven't started nursery.

Nurseries:
A nursery is a childcare centre where children and babies from 3 months to school age are cared for in safe and stimulating surroundings. The number of children attending a nursery may vary from very small (about 20) to very large (over 100). The numbers of qualified staff, and the space required to accommodate the children in comfort, are carefully regulated according to the Children Act. They must conform to common standards of care and health and safety, and they must be registered and inspected regularly by the local authority.

Visit the All 4 Kids UK Directory where, in addition to over 80 categories to choose from all offering regularly updated and relevant information, we also have Help Pages where you will find information and advice on a number of child related issues.

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