Childcare & Education

On the blog

Why More Schools Are Switching to a 4 Day School Week: And What It Means for Parents

Tassia O'Callaghan

The Juggle: Childcare Options for Working Parents

Tassia Agatowski

The Savings: How to Get the Most Out of Your Childcare Budget

Tassia Agatowski

The Benefits of Childcare for Working Parents (& Kids!)

Tassia Agatowski

Top 10 Tips for the First Day of Preschool

Tassia O'Callaghan

Key Signs of Diabetes in Kids

Keshia Sophia Roelofs

When Do Girls Stop Growing? Height, Puberty & Brain Development

Tassia Agatowski

What Age is Preschool? Preschool Age Range

Tassia O'Callaghan

How to Have a Happy First Day of School: 60+ Books, Quotes & Tips

Tassia O'Cakllaghan

How To Get a Toddler To Take Medicine

Team Peanut

40+ Essential Nanny Interview Questions

Deborah Vieyra

How Much to Pay a Babysitter

Alicia Wallace

What to Know About Childhood Sleepwalking

Team Peanut

How Much Does a Nanny Cost?

Deborah Vieyra

When Do Kids Stop Napping? How to Stop Napping

Team Peanut

100+ ‘Would You Rather?’ Questions for Kids

Team Peanut

From the community

Recent discussions

Do you have any help? If so how regularly?

I'm a SAHM with a 20 month old and 9 weeks pregnant. I have no family or village. Hubby works full time so can only help on weekends. My 20 month old still doesn't sleep through so we cosleep from 1am onwards. So I'm always on duty. I've started ro burnout. I want to get some help but have no idea how or where to begin. I live in Australia and a nanny is $60 an hour which is crazy. My kid isn't vaccinated so daycare isn't an option. There is no family daycares in our state legally.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Highbury nursery

Anyone got any views on Highbury nursery??

Babysitting/educational program

**Hey moms! I wanted to get some opinions and feedback on an idea I've been working on. ❤️**

I've been thinking about starting a small childcare program that combines babysitting with educational activities. My goal is to help families who struggle to find affordable childcare, especially low-income families, because I know how difficult things can be financially these days. I also want to help parents who simply need a break, a few hours to themselves, or an extra set of hands when life gets overwhelming.

I've been doing a lot of research on how I could make this work, and I'm still continuing to research and figure out the best way to structure everything. I do have experience in childcare, and I want to use that experience to create something that benefits both parents and their children.

**Here's what I'm currently thinking of offering:**

💕 **Affordable and flexible childcare**

I'd like to charge $20 an hour rather than require parents to pay a flat daily or weekly rate. That way, families can choose the days and hours that fit their schedules and budgets.

I'm considering offering both occasional, on-demand childcare and recurring scheduled hours. For example, maybe you only need someone for two hours one afternoon, or perhaps you'd prefer to have your child come in on certain days every week.

I'm trying to make this program as flexible as possible, within reason. Since this would be a one-person program, I would only be able to care for two children at a time. I want to be realistic about what I can manage while still giving every child the attention and care they deserve. I wouldn't want to overbook myself or promise parents flexibility that I can't realistically provide.

Whether you need time to run errands, go to appointments, get some work done, take a break, or just have a little time for yourself, I'd love to offer a service that could make your life a little easier.

📚 **Childcare that includes learning and development**

I don't want this to be just another babysitting service where children spend most of their time watching television or playing on tablets.

I'm planning to put together a small curriculum with age-appropriate activities to help children learn and develop while having fun. I'm also planning to purchase everything myself, including:

* Sensory toys and activities.
* Educational and learning toys.
* Flashcards.
* Arts and crafts supplies.
* Activities that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and motor skills.
* Other educational materials suited to each child's age and developmental needs.

I want children to have something fun and productive to look forward to while also giving parents the option of having their children spend less time in front of screens.

🍎 **Meals and snacks**

I'd also be willing to prepare meals for children if needed, especially for parents who need longer hours of childcare.

And when I say prepare meals, I don't mean just heating up frozen food or throwing something together. I'd put the same time, effort, and care into preparing meals for your children as I do for my own. If a child is with me for several hours, I can prepare multiple meals depending on their schedule and needs.

Of course, I'd need parents to provide me with information about any allergies, medications, dietary restrictions, or other important needs before caring for their child.

🏡 **A comfortable environment and activities**

I live in Williamsburg, in a very nice area, and I want parents to feel comfortable knowing where their children are spending their time.

I don't plan on taking children out for fast food. I'd rather focus on activities, learning, playtime, and preparing meals when needed. Depending on the weather and the parents' preferences, I'd also like to incorporate outdoor activities. I might occasionally take the children out for something like ice cream, but only with the parents' permission.

Communication is also very important to me. I'd want to maintain regular contact with parents throughout the day so they can check in and know how their children are doing. I'd also require emergency contact information and make sure I have all the necessary information to care for each child properly.

❤️ **Working with parents and respecting their parenting styles**

One thing I really want to emphasize is that I understand every parent has their own way of raising their children. Just because something works for my child doesn't mean it'll work for yours.

I'd want to sit down with parents beforehand and learn about their children's routines, needs, and personalities. I'd also want to know how they'd like me to handle certain situations and what they expect from me while their child is in my care.

For example:

* How much television or screen time are you comfortable with?
* Are there certain foods you don't allow your child to eat?
* Do you prefer your child to spend more time outdoors or indoors?
* Do you have specific routines for meals, naps, or other activities?
* Are there particular things you'd like me to teach or help your child improve on?
* Are there specific rules, boundaries, or parenting approaches you'd like me to follow?

I want to respect the way you raise your child and make sure I'm providing care that works for your family. You're the parent, and you know your child best.

**I really want to hear from moms who might actually benefit from something like this.**

I'm especially interested in helping low-income families who may not be able to afford traditional childcare. I know how expensive childcare can be, and I don't want the cost to be another reason parents can't get the help or break they need.

I'm still in the planning and research stages. I've already done a lot of research, but I'm continuing to look into how to make this program work safely, responsibly, and realistically as a one-person operation. I want to make sure I have everything figured out before officially getting started.

**I'd really appreciate your honest opinions on a few things:**

1. Would you be interested in a childcare program that combines babysitting with educational activities and learning?

2. Do you think $20 an hour is a reasonable price, especially considering that I'd be providing educational materials, toys, activities, and meals when needed?

3. Would you prefer occasional, on-demand childcare when you need a few hours to yourself, or would you prefer recurring scheduled days and hours every week? Or would you want the option of both?

4. How important would flexibility be to you? Would you be interested in a program that tries to accommodate different schedules but has some limitations because it's run by just one person?

5. What would make you feel comfortable leaving your child in a small childcare program like this? Is there anything specific you'd want me to provide or do?

6. For parents who have a hard time affording childcare, would a service like this be helpful to your family?

I'm genuinely interested in hearing what other moms think, including any concerns, suggestions, or things you feel would make this program more useful.

I don't want to create something based solely on what I think parents need. I'd rather hear directly from parents and understand what would actually help them and their children.

At the end of the day, I want to create something that gives parents a little breathing room while giving their children a safe, caring environment where they can learn, play, and have fun.

**Please feel free to be honest! I'm not officially launching anything yet. I'm trying to figure out whether this is something families would actually be interested in and how I can make it work for everyone. ❤️**

Nurseries shoe policy

Are there any nurseries that has a no shoe indoor policy around Ealing? Help I can’t find any

Nurseries

Does anyone know if its easy to switch the little one from one nursery to another when the next term starts? Or do they make you pay for the full year etc?
Struggling to find nurseries available for April 2027.

School drop offs

School drops off are annoying. It's a long ass line and people and their kids move slow ass hell. Why are you opening your 10 year kids door and putting their bookbags on them. If yall dont throw them kids out the car lol

Homeschool Moms?

Hello 👋 Mammas I'm in Wa state. I'm currently new to homeschooling. Is there any mammas that know any good Co-ops. Or let's just connect, would love more homeschooling mom friends.❤️❤️

Funded hours

How much are people paying a month for their under 1s to go nursery what days hours ect need help I’m about to go back on night shift and husband works days

Nursery funding!

Can anyone help please. My little boy was born 10th September and will be eligible for funded hours from 1st January. Does this mean that if I wanted to send him now (say 1 day a week) to get used to the atmosphere. Would I have to pay for those hours myself? Find it all very confusing!

Day care waitlists

Hello 👋
I'm moving from UK to Calgary, probably within the next 6 months and I've heard that waitlists for day care centres are pretty long.
Is it worth me getting my son on waitlists now? Even without a move date or exact location?

Kiddicaru nursery

Hey just wondering if anyone goes to kiddicaru in Chelmsford and how it's been? I'm also wondering what their policies are around sleep - do they wake your baby up if you ask? We're awhile away from nursery and can ask questions when we visit, but find it really helpful to hear real experiences. Looking at the writtle and town sites! Thanks 🙏

Starting nursery

Hey mummas
I am not sure what I am really looking for here. My LG is nearly 3 and has just started nursery. The drop.offs are so hard she screams and Crys for me, and I am so heartbroken by it. Anyone else had this but the little one then settled?

Where do we go from here?

My son is currently in pre-k and he’s set to graduate this coming year. I am happy he’s been improving his speech, motor skills, and more. But—I can’t help to worry about what comes next after he leaves his current school. They’ve been a staple in his life, his growth too. I’ve just been so concerned about sending him off to public school. It’s not even the children—some educators aren’t well versed in ASD. I do not want to even think about anything bad that can happen. Ugh! I’m looking into resources but it’d be a lot better if I had strong male figures (like his dad) to add some more cushioning to this transition.

School

How's everyone's LOs getting on with school?

Cost of living

How is everyone coping with the cost of living with 2 small children?? I am a newly single mum with a nearly 3 year old and a 7 week old. I am on maternity leave which is just about covering the bills - not the groceries or clothes plus anything extra that might occur and my BD is yet to help financially!! Does anyone have any cost cutting methods as really struggling and stressing about everything especially with my daughters birthday and christmas around the corner.

What’s everyone doing 15hrs term time or all year round ?

After 1 year of being confused Asf I’m ready to get my two year old into nursery, now I need to decide wether I should go for term time only or all year round 3 half days or two, she should have started in April so having three days would be good but there’s so many half terms😅
What have you guys chosen and your whys cause I just can’t decide 🤞🏾😩

Fact-checked by experts

We work with acclaimed women’s health experts and leading voices in fertility, motherhood, and pregnancy to ensure our content is medically reviewed, expert-approved, and written with care.

Learn more