Community Posts, Tips & Support on Childcare & Education

Honest, unfiltered, and in real-time: what women like you are talking about. Peanut group chats, support, and posts on Childcare & Education

Any WFH moms with little/no childcare?

I start back to work from home in a little over a week. My LO will be almost 4 months then (16 weeks). What are your best tips and tricks to make things go smoothly for you and for baby?

Nursery fund process

Can anyone please explain how does the nursery fund process work. I'm supposed to return to work mid September and I'm really stressed about what to do. When should I start looking for nurseries and how does the funding from the government works. I would appreciate if someone could explain in details.

What was your school experience like?

Public school or homeschool

Trying to decide for my toddler and I’m learning people had very different experiences with their own schooling!

Baby with hearing aids and one tired mummy trying to decide between nursery or a childminder

Hey all, my little one was born partially deaf so has been wearing hearing aids since 6 weeks old and I'm now in the stage of trying to decide what childcare setting (nursery or childminder) might be best for him with his needs. Anyone else in a similar situation and what setting are you leaning towards? It's so hard to know which one might be better suited! Thank you!

Tax Free Nursery

My Son is going to be starting nursery in june and i am worried we cant afford it. He is going to be 2 so wont qualify for free hours (Scotland). Its looking to cost £70 and he is down for two days so £140 a week. People keep telling me about tax free childcare but i genuinley dont understand it. Can someone explain to me how it works like im an idiot lol

Which is better during summer break?

For kindergarten age kids, is it better to put them in one care program for the whole summer where they will be with the same group of kids, or put them in weekly camps that will have some overlap but mostly be a new group of kids each week?

USA - did your school or your children’s school have a 0% tolerance policy for fighting, including defending yourself?

Some of the comments on the school shooting post got me thinking and I remembered when a homegirl of mine got jumped and she was suspended for 9 days with the other girls because she swung back trying to defend herself. Even in high school I thought it was the craziest thing. When my parents were in school the person defending themself didn’t get sent home they may have gotten detention if anything. 9 day suspension for self defense is insane when they turn around and send a truancy officer to your house if you miss 10.

School

I know being a stay at home mom is meant to be staying at home with the kids. But do you ever consider sending them to school? Especially if you have multiples? Or do you just homeschool? I feel like I want to send my oldest to school and stay home with the baby. My oldest just turned 4. What should he be in (pre k or… ?) I’m not sure.

No sitter but cant let myself go into postpartum depression

Brought my little girl to my lash appointment she was so well behaved thank god !!!! Any other mamas end up bringing their kid to their maintenance appointments ?

October baby- can’t start school anytime soon

Hi, anyone else in this group feel like their child would be so ready for school this year but obviously they can’t start until 2027 cos of being an October baby?! My boy is so bright and I worry when he does start school he will be left behind as teachers etc will be dealing more with younger ones. He goes to a childminder and is thriving there but I feel he is ready for more! Should I integrate him into a nursery too? Just a lot of worrying on my part, anyone else feel the same?

USA people - have you ever personally experienced a school shooting?

we talk about moving over there every now and again but in our heads it’s so risky, even if the education system was good, to send kids to school over there

Home Ed early years in cambridge

Hello! My daughter is only 6 months, but I know I’ll be homeschooling her. Would love to find other cambridge-based mums who are like minded and not doing nursery etc xx

3 full nursery days or 5 half days which would you choose?

Hi everyone I think I might be overthinking this but I would really love some opinions.

My baby is 15 months old and I am trying to decide between 3 full nursery days a week or 5 afternoons a week.

They are quite curious, love exploring and are very interested in other people and children. If there are lots of toys or things going on they usually do not really look for me much unless they are tired or hungry. But they can also be a bit sensitive and I worry they might get overtired with too many long days.

I just cannot work out what would be better at this age, longer days but fewer days, or shorter days but going every day and having more of a routine.

If anyone has been in a similar situation I would love to hear what worked for you.

Nursery wobble!!!

I know sending our babies to nursery is a nerve-wracking time for all parents but there's been a lot of incidents in nurseries coming up recently. It's panicking me. Im trying to calm myself down and think logically.
Has anyone gone to the nursery settling in days with a list of questions, especially around safety? What sorts of things have you asked if so?

Work around childcare

Hey girls, i’ve recently been made redundant and looking for work asap.
What is everyone doing that works around childcare? My little girl will be doing 3 full days at nursery but seems most part time jobs either require weekends or want you to do part time across 5 days a week!

We can’t afford to send my little girl to nursery 5 days, nor do i want her to.

I’m so stressed about trying to find something that works! I’m open to anything but have a background in admin.

Getting to work on time

I started a new job and I must be there by 7:45am. I have 2 children that I help in the morning. My toddler needs help getting dressed, brushing teeth, and combing her hair. My older child needs help with breakfast before catching the school bus. Husband brings the toddler to daycare. I’ve been struggling to get to work on time and I got a warning today. I’m usually 5-10 minute late. The parking lot is really far from the office. Any tips or advice for morning routines?

Pre school

My 2 year old goes to nursery now but I’m thinking of putting her in preschool the days she doesn’t go to nursery, do you think 2 and a half is to early to go to preschool? Should I wait another year? Does anyone send their 2 year old to preschool?

Taxes

Anyone done theirs already and want to help me understand the child tax credit for kids under 4? My sister said she had to open an account for each of her kids. Can I open an account for an infant? Can someone dumb this fown for me please😅

Childminder or nursery

I’ve noticed that most people in the UK talk about nurseries and how expensive they are, but hardly anyone mentions childminders. From what I understand, childminders are often more affordable, more flexible (for example, if you need to pick up your child a bit later), and they provide a more home-like environment.

They also usually involve a single main caregiver, which I feel can be really positive for attachment, especially for younger children.

So why don’t more people use childminders? Is there any stigma around them in the UK?

I’m asking because my baby goes to a childminder and I’m starting to worry—are they seen as a worse option? Personally, I see some downsides to nurseries too: they tend to be more expensive, and because there are many more children (often of different ages) in the same space, I feel like that can lead to a higher risk of illnesses spreading.

So I’m curious why nurseries seem to be the more popular choice.

Childcare for toddler during labour

For those of you who don't have any family or friends nearby enough to jump in to look after your older child, how did you manage labour and going to hospital to give birth? I'm only 5 weeks pregnant but already stressing about it!