12 minute read
Family Life
Childcare options
Choosing the right childcare can be a daunting task. This guide takes you through the different options - think about which ones suit your family’s needs and budget best.
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Registered childminder What is it? Someone who looks after children in their own home and is registered with one of the following: • Ofsted (England) • Care Inspectorate (Scotland) • Care and Social Services Inspectorate (Wales) • Health and Social Services Trust (Northern Ireland)
Pros and cons • They’re self-employed, so you don’t have to worry about paying their tax or National Insurance (NI) contributions. • As long as they’re registered, you may be eligible for help to pay for your childcare using Tax-Free Childcare, or to claim back up to 85% of the monthly childcare if you’re eligible for Universal Credit, or to use childcare vouchers or claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit. • Many childminders work flexible hours and pick up/drop off children at school or playgroup. • You can use your free weekly childcare allowance if your child is three or four. • You’ll need to make other arrangements if they’re ill or on holiday.
Day nursery What is it?
Care and education for children aged six weeks to five years.
They might be run privately or by community organisations, local authorities or employers.
Pros and cons • They’re typically open weekdays from 8am to 6pm, which fits most working hours. • Nursery fees are sometimes subsidised by local authorities or employers. • You can use childcare vouchers or claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit to help with the cost. • You can use your free weekly childcare allowance if your child is three or four. • They’re usually more expensive than childminders • You usually have to pay the fees when you’re on holiday.
Nanny What is it?
Someone who looks after a child in its own home. It’s usually a live-in or daily role, but parttime nannies are also available.
Nannies can voluntarily register with Ofsted.
Pros and cons • Your child is cared for at home. • As long as they’re registered, you can use childcare vouchers or claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit. • You’ll be their employer, and responsible for paying their Income Tax and NI contributions. • As an employer, automatic enrolment means you’ll have to pay into a pension for your nanny if they earn more than £192 a week (£833 a month) before tax. • You’ll need to make other arrangements if they’re ill or on holiday.
Au pair What is it? Someone who lives with you and learns the local language and culture while providing around 30 hours’ childcare and help around the home.
Pros and cons • They’re paid ‘pocket money’ so the costs are much lower than other childcare options • They’re usually treated like a member of the family rather than an employee so you won’t have to deal with their tax or NI. • You can’t use childcare vouchers or claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit. • You’ll need to factor in the cost of their room and board on top of what you pay them.
Playgroup or pre-school What is it? Community and voluntary-run care and education sessions for three to five year-olds. They typically offer three-hour morning or afternoon sessions during term time.
Pros and cons • A low-cost option • As long as they’re registered, you can use childcare vouchers or claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit. • You can use your free weekly childcare allowance if your child is three or four. • You’ll need to find alternative childcare to cover the school holidays and/or the rest of the day.
Family or friends What is it? Having a family member or friend look after your child, either for free, payment or an arrangement where you look after each other’s children (known as ‘reciprocal childcare’). This might seem like a convenient and affordable option, but the rules around these kinds of arrangements can be complex.
Pros and cons • A family member doesn’t have to be registered with Ofsted if they’re providing childcare free of charge. • Legally, you can’t use a friend to regularly look after a child under eight for more than two hours a day during normal working hours - unless they’re a registered childminder. This is something to think about if you have a reciprocal childcare arrangement. • If you pay a family member or friend for childcare, you can’t use childcare vouchers or claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit unless they’re a registered childminder and look after at least one other unrelated child.
Whatever option you choose juggling childcare both financially and practically can be hard work so do not rush into a decision and make sure you visit all settings to gauge how you feel about them. This will allow you to make an informed choice.
Eye Infections
Many of us will experience one of these common eye infections during our lifetime but some small, simple hygiene changes can reduce your risk significantly.
Conjunctivitis/pink eye
Infectious conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is one of the most common eye infections. It happens when blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the thin outermost membrane surrounding your eyeball, become infected by bacteria or a virus.
As a result, your eyes become pink or red, and inflamed.
It can also result from allergies or exposure to chemicals, like chlorine, in swimming pools.
Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria or virus is extremely contagious. You can still spread it up to two weeks after the infection starts. Take note of any of the following symptoms and see your doctor as soon as possible for treatment: • reddish or pinkish tint to your eyes • watery discharge from your eyes that’s thickest when you wake up • itchiness or feeling like there’s something constantly in your eyes • producing more tears than usual, especially in only one eye
You’ll likely need the following treatments depending on which type of conjunctivitis you have: Bacterial: Antibiotic eye drops, ointments, or oral medications to help kill bacteria in your eyes. After starting antibiotics, symptoms fade in a couple of days. Viral: No treatment exists. Symptoms tend to fade after 7 to 10 days. Apply a clean, warm, wet cloth to your eyes to relieve discomfort, wash hands frequently, and avoid contact with others.
Allergic: Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines help relieve allergy symptoms. Antihistamines can be taken as eye drops, and antiinflammatory eye drops can also help with symptoms.
Keratitis
Infectious keratitis happens when your cornea gets infected. The cornea is the clear layer that covers your pupil and iris. Keratitis results from either an infection (bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic) or an eye injury. Keratitis means swelling of the cornea and isn’t always infectious.
Symptoms of keratitis can include: • redness and swelling in your eye eye pain or discomfort • producing more tears than usual or an abnormal discharge • pain or discomfort when you open and close your eyelids • loss of some vision or blurry vision • light sensitivity • sensation of having something stuck in your eye
You’re more likely to develop keratitis if: • you wear contact lenses • your immune system is weak from another condition or illness • you live somewhere that’s humid and warm • you use corticosteroid eyedrops for an existing eye condition • your eye is injured, especially by plants with chemicals that can get into your eye
See your doctor as soon as possible to stop the infection if you
notice any keratitis symptoms. Some treatments for keratitis include: Bacterial. Antibacterial eye drops can usually clear up a keratitis infection in a few days. Oral antibiotics are typically used to treat more severe infections. Fungal. You’ll need antifungal eye drops or medication to kill the fungal organisms causing your keratitis. This can take weeks to months. Viral. There’s no way to eliminate a virus. Oral antiviral medications or eyedrops can help stop the infection in a few days up to a week. Viral keratitis symptoms may later return even with treatment.
Endophthalmitis
Endophthalmitis is severe inflammation of the inside of your eye resulting from a bacterial or fungal infection. Candida fungal infections are the most common cause of endophthalmitis.
This condition can happen after certain eye surgeries, such as cataract surgery, although this is rare. It may also happen after your eye is penetrated by an object. Some symptoms to watch out for, especially after surgery or an eye injury, include: • mild to severe eye pain
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• partial or complete vision loss • blurry vision • redness or swelling around the eye and eyelids • eye pus or discharge • sensitivity to bright lights
Treatment depends on what causes the infection and how severe it is.
First, you’ll need antibiotics injected directly into your eye with a special needle to help stop the infection. You may also receive a corticosteroid shot to relieve inflammation.
If something has gotten into your eye and caused the infection, you’ll need to get it removed right away. Seek emergency medical attention in these cases — never try to remove an object from your eye by yourself. After antibiotics and object removal, your symptoms can begin to get better in a few days.
Sty
A sty (also called a hordeolum) is a pimple-like bump that develops from an oil gland on the outer edges of your eyelids. These glands can get clogged with dead skin, oils, and other matter and allow bacteria to overgrow in your gland. The resulting infection causes a sty. Sty symptoms include: • pain or tenderness • itchiness or irritation • swelling • producing more tears than usual • crustiness around your eyelids • increased tear production
Some treatments for sties include: • applying a clean, warm, damp cloth to your eyelids for 20 minutes at a time a few times a day • using mild, scent-free soap and water to clean your eyelids • taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), to help with pain and swelling • stopping use of contact lenses or eye makeup until the infection goes away using antibiotic ointments to help kill the infectious overgrowth
See your doctor if the pain or swelling gets worse, even with treatment. A sty should disappear in about 7 to 10 days. If it doesn’t, ask your doctor about other possible treatments.
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