Posted on 10th Feb 2012 @ 4:20 PM

Have you ever asked yourself the question: what is the best form of childcare?

Deciding what type of childcare is best for your children can fill parents with stress and anxiety. Like many parents, I opted for a nursery provision when my children were young. It seemed to be the only real option back then and, at the time, I was not aware of the benefits of home childcare.

My first two children benefited from nurseries for several years until they started school. However, it was only when I had my third child that I realised there is another way: home childcare or combining home childcare with other forms of childcare.

What is home childcare you may be thinking? Home childcare is another term for childcare in your own home. Nannies are a form of home childcare. However, nannies are often seen as expensive especially as parents are responsible for employing the nanny.

Another way of accessing the benefits of home childcare without the responsibility or expense of a nanny is using a flexible childcare service such as @Home childcare. As an affordable pay-as-you-go childcare solution, @Home Childcare gives you with all of the benefits of having childcare in your own home. The service is available for you to use long or short hours to fit around your needs. Parents like to use our childcare for Out of Hours Care (ideal for shift workers), Before and/or After School Care, Day Care or simply combining with other childcare, such as After Nursery Care, for greater flexibility. And since @Home Childcare is the end employer, you don’t have to worry about employment issues such as P.A.Y.E.

So back to my original question, what is the best form of childcare? Obviously, the answer to this question is it depends on the needs of your child and family. It’s worthwhile asking yourself the following questions: what exactly are your childcare needs? Do you need out of normal hours childcare to fit in with your shifts? Are you willing to have someone in your home looking after your children? Would your children be happier spending time at home after school? Would all family members benefit from home childcare? Is it affordable?

For my children, the best form of childcare is a combination of two different types of childcare. When they were younger, my preference was combining home childcare with a nursery or childminder. Now that they are all in school, Before and/or After School Home Childcare works best for my family. During the holidays, we combine home childcare with holiday clubs for greater flexibility and affordability. The choice is yours – I know what mine would be!