Child care

Eeek, the baby's not even out and I'm thinking about childcare. While I'm officially having 12 months off, there may be the option of heading back at 6 months for 1-2 days/week.

Should I be looking at childcare now? Do they need you to commit to days/hours at this point, or is it enough to just get on the waiting list?

Any recommendations for West-Central Auckland (New Lynn, Avondale, Mt Albert, Pt Chev)?

depends if you want to get into a popular Day care and they might have a long waiting list. From what I hear some have 1 and 1/2 years...so If you book now then you are safe. However look around and ask diff day care as to how long is their waiting list?

I will be talking to my daycare soon to see what is the waiting list looking like at the mo. If it is 6 months or so then I will book closer to due date!

Thanks Kicker, would appreciate it.

Another question, is it any easier with at home care - that would probably be my preference when they're still little but I have no idea of how to go about it? Do I just ring round Porse/HGK etc??

Most daycares I have spoken to usually have a minimum enrolment of 3 full or school (6 1/2 hours) days.

I rang around (but this is in Palmy). I found a couple that had no waiting list, some that had longish waiting lists of 6 months so I think it varies greatly.

I was told by all the ones I rang they have a minimum of 2 part days which is sweet for us as thats all I will want them for for a long time

We Caitlin's daycare!

Their ERO report was excellent and they have 100% qualified staff (all ECE trained). The staff are very affectionate towards the children (something I was hoping for as that's the sort of environment I would want my child to be in at home or anywhere else). Each night Caitlin would go and kiss the teachers good bye and would always ask for them during the weekend - so I know she was happy there.
They do heaps with the kids, even the babies.

We were really lucky to get a last minute place there so I would definitely start looking now and get bubs on the list especially if you only want a couple of days a week.

Let me know if you have any questions, I'm very happy to recommend the centre

ETA: As I re-read the other posts AFTER I replied LOL
I think Kiwicare like the kids to be there a minimum of 3 half days a week. I'll check when I pick Caitlin up tonight

Edited as I thought it was a bit of a security risk letting the whole wide world know where my baby is. There are some real sickos out there!    

Edited by Two Blondinis

I know ABC's policies are 2-half days minimum I think. Jack is only in one half-day as that's all they had to offer. I would definitely search around. My friend enrolled her bub fulltime when she was pg cos she was supposed to be going back to work fulltime. She is now only working Thurs-Sat so only needs 2 days and they're fine with it. I would definitly enrol fulltime and then if you have to pull a couple of days it's no biggy. Better to have too many days than not enough I reckon.