hi there, My dd aged 18 mths currently goes to nursery tues, weds and fri 8.30-3.30 and I work 16 hours per week whilst ds aged 7 is at school. I need to increase hours as really struggling financially despite using childcare vouchers from both my and dh's wages and no tax credits.
Nursery can't have dd any more days so am pretty sure I will go for childminder. I have always used nurseries and liked the fact children were in supervised care (ie. not just one unsupervised adult, lots of adults in proximity) the socialisation, activities and the fact I just feel they flourish with this input.
i think I have been a bit blinkered however and it has been pointed out to me that a good cm will make a child feel part of the family! I do think combining both will work and if it does i will gradually withdraw dd from nursery leaving her with the free hours there perhaps when she is that age as she does love it there and i feel totally happy and relaxed with her in their care.
also though and this is hard to admit as i think its selfish i didn't want dd to gain a really strong attachment to just one person. At nursery she is close to one of them which I have been reassured about and pleased by but, I don't want to be replaced...
So, any thoughts or tips or advice? do other people do this???