To wonder if there is a different attitude towards childminders compared to nurseries?

It is quite often suggested on here when someone complains their nursery is too expensive. And to be fair, I used a childminder up until 3 years ago for my daughter, it was £5.50 per hour so £55 for a 10 hour day. That now costs £102 for my son at nursery…yes costs have risen in 3 years but not almost doubled.

I preferred a childminder for my daughter because she was the only term time only option and the only one who’d do a half day for me. The fact she was cheaper per day was a bonus. I did like her and my daughter benefitted from the small setting, but I did move her to a school nursery for pre school year. My son is doing brilliantly at his nursery (we can only afford it because of the increase in funded hours) but I wouldn’t rule out a CM in the future if necessary.

Maybe you could change your statement to 'some' because that's a hugely insulting statement to the vast majority of childminders. It might have been true in the oast but these days the regulations and requirements we have to adhere to certainly don't make for easy pin money!

Ime people chose to be childminder to make money whilst at home,not a desire to be a childcare worker. It’s a money choice not a career choice . I’ve known women who were sahm chose to be childminder to make extra monies.,no particular interest or training in childcare, just wanted to be home and make some extra money
I use work base nursery as I don’t want my babies in someone house, fitting in around their routine.

I've been a cm for 16 years, I think you get all sorts tbh! Most love the idea of us being out and about, small ratios, homely environment etc. And some visit you because you're a stop gap until a place come up in a nursery, you'll negotiate a super cheap price, they can get away with paying late, mucking you around etc etc. I don't tend to take the latter group on!

I never used either, but I would have preferred a childminder because I would assume that being around less other young children would result in less frequent and severe illnesses. I’d also have preferred the more homely feel, more 1:1 time and a calmer, quieter environment. My friend who is a police office preferred that they offered her greater flexibility with hours as well.

I chose a childminder because I wanted my (then 6month old) son in a more homely, smaller setting where I felt he’d form a closer bond to one person. Our childminder was an angel and he adored her, no regrets at all and the above reasons were not factored in