Childcare - which would you go for?

[Buddhababe]

Hi there

I am a stay at home mum but intend to go back to work part time some time next year if all goes to plan. I have a 16 month old and am due again in August.

At the moment I am bringing my DS to various playgroups but feel he will need more socialization a few days a week soon. I was thinking Nurseries are the best way to go and to maybe have him go for the mornings a few times a week. It would also help when the new baby comes along.

Or, do you think a part time nanny or childminder would be better. I am just conscious of the socialization aspect which might be lacking in this case.

Many thanks

[JODIEhavingababy]

I'm a big fan of my DS's nursery, he is 18 months and started at 1 morning a week for about 2 months, until settled and now he goes 2 mornings, (been going for 6 months now) he has come on leaps and bounds, most of which I can honestly put down to being in the same room as 5-6 babies his own age, some a little older. Sharing, eating, communicating etc

My friend leaves her DD with a childminder, which is good, but there are only 3 children there, the other 2 are nearly pre school, so socialisation aspects aren't as good, although both her and her DD are happy with that...

[cmotdibbler]

My DS (21 months) goes to nursery ft, and he adores it. He is very social, and exceedingly energetic, and I don't think that the more homely enviroment of a childminder would suit him.

He loves being with other children his age and a little older, and being in a fairly tight age group (his room is 18m-3, but they also divide into 18m-2 and 2-3) means that they do lots of age appropriate activities.

Go and see a few nurseries, and a few childminders, and see how you feel about them all.

[Buddhababe]

thanks I think I will go down that route. Is Ofsted the best place to check out which nurseries are good in the area do you think?

[cmotdibbler]

Go and see all of the ones which are around you - the Ofsted reports only tell you what a particular inspector thought on one particular day. Its pretty easy to see whether its a nice enviroment, what the staff are like with the children etc. When we moved, we looked at one nursery that had a very recent good OFSTED report and it was terrible - in fact we made a complaint to OFSTED. And friends of ours used a nursery that had a not so good OFSTED report from 2 years earlier, but had really worked to meet all of the criticisms.

Personal recommendations are good too - ask around, and your HV might know too.

[Buddhababe]

Thanks cmotdibbler,wil do, by the way what does HV mean,sorry!!

[cmotdibbler]

Health Visitor - some are as much use as chocolate teapots I know, but some (my old one for instance) have their finger firmly on the pulse of all matters under 5 in their area

[Buddhababe]

ahhh, i am not great on the acronyms! thanks