Guilt-Free Childcare

Guilt-free Childcare; Is it Possible?


Childcare author Georgina Walsh raises the question following the results of a recent survey.

There are an estimated 3.25 million families using childcare in the UK*, and many parents deal with day-to-day feelings of guilt about handing over the care of their children to others. A recent study by Georgina Walsh author of the book How to Find the Childcare your Child will Love also found that nearly 40% of parents worry about the long-term effects of childcare on their children. The study found that another 40% of parents feel that using childcare makes them a better and calmer parent. Georgina Walsh, says “Even these parents can still feel guilty about admitting they enjoy the break from parenting that childcare brings.”

So is it possible to find a guilt-free childcare solution? Walsh thinks so and links this to parenting style.

She believes that a first step to finding the right childcare is for parents to look at their own approach to parenting and childcare, and her book How to Find the Childcare Your Child will Love, has a questionnaire that allows them to do this. It scores parents on three main attitudes to parenting and childcare, ‘Freedom’, ‘Traditional’ and ‘Keep them Safe’. 

Based on their results parents are given advice throughout the book about finding childcare that they can trust, and also that their children will love. Walsh adds “Seeing a child eagerly running into a play group or a nanny's arms can give stressed out parents great piece of mind. It is not just about finding childcare in the right location or at the right price; it is about finding care that matches your values and approach to parenting and that you know will help your child to flourish." Asked to give two tips to parents looking for childcare Walsh advises:

  • Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions, any good childcarer will expect this and look forward to answering them all.

  • If necessary find temporary cover during your search; this will prevent you making a rushed and panicked decision.


How to Find the Childcare Your Child will Love, Manage it Properly and Make it Work for You, is published by Foulsham and available from Amazon.co.uk.

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* National Centre for Social Research 2008

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