So do I go for a childminder or nursery???? am so torn

I am also biased (because I'm a childminder).

As ladyoflincoln says, go and visit a few minders and sound them out. If your first visit is when there are no mindees there, and you like the childminder, make sure that you visit again when there will be children there.

I would definitely ask if you can speak to parents of current and previous mindees.

i couldnt but did ask my dh to turn up early unannounced, but he never could either. but then dh wasnt happy when he did get there either..just a personal experience.

It also depends what age your child is and to some extent how many days you will be working and what sort of hours.

As I went back 4 days I chose a CM to get the more homelike situation but if it had been 3 or less I probably would have picked nursery for the convenience.

Best way to find out if a CM is any good, get the phone number for one of the other mindees parents. Our CM got such a rave review that I booked DS in on the spot.

I'm in the CM camp as well. I much prefer the knowledge that ds is in a family environment and not what - as you say - can seem like a bit of a factory. Yes there is more of a trust issue, so you have to feel confident in your choice. As ladyoflincoln says, you need to go with your instincts. Okay, your friend had a bad experience but I wouldn't rule CMs out entirely on that basis.

i know all the pros of c/m but had a veyr limited choice... plus i found i didnt actualy get on fantastically with her or her partner. changed to a nursery in the end, which was lovely.

i am a childminder too, so biased again BUT a childminder is a constant person for your little one to bond with, and can also offer a varied day - for example i might go to park, visit friends, go to library, go swimming, stay at home and play, go on the bus into town and meet some other cm's for lunch etc. etc.

at nursery, different activities may be offered but that is usually where the child stays all day, and also lots of different people may care for a child during their time there, so it's less 'personal'.

quite a few friends have told me they chose nursery because they were worried about what to do if a childminder was ill or on holiday - but lots of childminders i know provide cover for one another in these situations.

have you looked at any childcare yet? maybe you could go and see some nurseries and some childminders and see if you get and instinctive feel of what is right for your child(ren) - after all, you know them best

hope this helps, sorry its long winded

Iam a CM so maybe a bit biased but generally CM can be a bit more flexible than a nursery and more 1 on 1 attention but nursery will be mixing with many more children ( and catching many more bugs!) Depends what you want from childcare really