childminder versus nursery?

My DS was very happy in a Nursery from the age of 12 months - settled in fine and had no issues such as the first 2 replies suggested so they aren't all bad.

To some extent it depends on your child's personality. My DS was the kind of toddler who was into everything and wanted to explore new stuff all the time - in a home environment he quickly gets bored. Other friends had DCs of the same age who were

I've nothing against CMs but disadvantages that put me off were:
Arrangements when CM or CM's own kids were sick
Arrangements when CM wanted to go on holiday
Lots of CM kids seem to spend an unnecessarily long time strapped into buggy or carseat for the school run instead of doing something fun (not true for all) - you also hear about mindees being either dragged round the supermarket for the CMs weekly shop or (obviously worse) left in the car for it!
Not necessarily doing much mixing with kids their own age/size/development level, but instead restricted to activities which have appeal over a much broader age range.
Because they aren't in a group of kids their own size they are less likely to have naps when they need them - see other threads on MN about overtired children who haven't been made to have a nap because they were having too much fun with older mindees - whereas in nursery everyone goes down for a nice long sleep when its nap time and the ones who are too big for a nap are in a different part of the building.

Also for me personally as I am awkward socially myself I prefer dealing with an "organisation" populated by numerous (all lovely) people, and having formal documented procedures and a "chain of command" so that I could speak to someone more senior if I wanted to, rather than having to build a 1:1 relationship with a CM - I realise that this won't be an issue for many people.

Nursery isn't perfect, obviously - and it depends on the nursery you choose. Ours does charge less for short days but some charge the same day rate whether your DC is there 8am-6pm or 9:30am-3pm. Ours has lots and lots of outdoor space and outdoor activities but some only have a more limited garden space. Some nurseries have "room"/"group" changes every 6 or 9 months which is quite frequent for getting used to a new situation (and usually a new Key Worker (or whatever name your nursery gives to the staff member with particular responsibility for your DC))

how many weeks a year do you need childcare? I picked a nursery because I needed to be sure that I was covered 51 weeks a year. With my job at the time DS was small, there was no guarantee I would be able to take holidays at the same time as a CM, or time off if CM was ill, etc

The two children who have started with me this week have both been in a nursery, one for the last 6 weeks and one for 8 weeks. One was sent home 5 times in 3 weeks, for a runny nose and bottom - teething maybe? The other was still sobbing in her sleep 2 hours after pick up.

Nurseries have their place, for over 2's, not for babies, they need a smaller home environment to settle in and these two have, in a week.

I am biased as I was a cm..

Small amount of children so virtually one to one care.
Flexible and adaptable, can work around a parents normal requirements,
Home environment so less regimented.
Lots of 'out and about' at the park, library, soft play, etc.
Same key adult in child's early years creating a safe and strong environment.
Child is part if the minders 'family' and can benefit from mixing with older siblings, other mindees and enjoy school runs etc.
Child care vouchers can be used same as nursery.
No 'nursery routine of feeding and changing' this is done as needed.

Others will come along to extol virtues of a nursery but its really personal choice and finding the right one for you.