Nursery or child minder?

I've always felt I could trust a nursery more. There are policies and procedures in place, the various staff sort of observe each other, no-one is ever completely alone with your child. Staff can help each other out so it's probably much less stressful for them than one childminder by themselves with several mindees. Yes 1:1 care would be ideal but I don't think the average childminder is anywhere near as caring and loving to your child as you as the mum anyway. Maybe I've just had bad experiences though.

Your describing a nanny anyway.....childminders are ofsted registered working from their own home.

I think the ideal scenario ( not sure if realistic) would be to have childminder that comes to your place and so you can work
from home, the baby does not get upset because its left in unknown/ new environment. I'll try to do just that with DC no2.

This is a nanny. It's realistic, but expensive.

I've done both with each kid.

So first one she went to nursery, was good she enjoyed it but she had bad separation anxiety at drop offs for months and months. Then it started again when she moved rooms. When she was 3 I moved her to a school nursery ready for reception (based on how she settled in to nursery I didn't want to shock her) that did 3 days a week and found a childminder to do 2 days. Childminder is wonderful, she used to go on so many great days out, she was loving and her home felt like home.

My lo is 7 now and she goes to her in the holidays now with her younger sis who has just settled in she's 1 . She's settled in so much better, no crying for me. She gets 1-2-1 time, there's less kids. She goes out to playgroups / farms etc... and she gets cuddles and love.

So positives of both but I'd go childminder everytime (as long as they are a great childminder obviously ) mine is fantastic she is like part of the family now.

She buys the kids Xmas & birthday presents and it's just a lovely relationship

The very best option for the child is an excellent childminder.

But a nursery setting does hold advantages for parents e.g. no holiday/sick leave to cover.

A good childminder is better than an excellent nursery.

But an excellent nursery is better than a middling or bad childminder.

So, it really depends on the nurseries and childminders in your area.

I would start by looking at childminders to see if you can find one that you click with. If not, branch out and look at nurseries.

Remember that what matters most to children is a warm and loving environment. Things like ballet lessons, a sensory room, wooden toys etc. don't matter so don't be fooled by things like that. Look at the staff and how they interact with the children.

Also, bear in mind that when you choose a childminder you know exactly who will care for your child. When you choose a nursery, you choose that establishment but staff come and go, people go on holiday and cover staff come in etc. so you don't know exactly who is looking after your child, you need to have full trust in the management of the nursery.

A good childminder gives much more 1 to 1 care.....older charges being self sufficient not 1 of 4 lined up in high chairs being fed one for you style. Many nurseries rely on apprentices not all doing it for love of children as much as I have to be in education. Staff turnover can be high.
You can pick a childminder who works with assistants or Co minders....but it's more homely than a nursery where babies often stay in nursery all day not getting out.
The right childminder can support you through life situations and give invaluable assistance in emergencies or an ear when things are difficult like baby not sleeping .....along with tips and working with you to improve the situation. They can also be the only childcare you ever need seeing you through siblings and school years with great continuity.
You do typically have to cover their holidays....often 2 or 3 weeks a year with dates given in January. And sickness....worth chatting with other families to see if this has been an issue but generally as being self employed childminders don't go sick often.
The best thing is to look around at all types of setting and see what feels right, who could you build a relationship with? Do you want to be able to talk to your childcare everyday not just quick handovers?

I went with childminder when my DD was 13 mths mainly because I read kids that age need more 1-1 contact/ care etc. That 'recommended' childminder would try to find any excuse not to look after our little one. That lasted 3 mths.

Then covid kicked in, little one was at home with us.

Then she went to gymboree at 18 mths , but only for morning sessions, then we'd pick her up, bf then she would nap until
3pm, that was a good experience.

Now she is at yet another nursery ( we moved abroad) with massive outdoor space which is nice for lil ones to have that space to be able to run around. She is 3 now so likes to hang out/ play with her peers.

If you go with nursery, there is always someone that will be there even if even of stuff being sick + it is more difficult for stuff to be mean to kids (sorry, mum's paranoia kicks in here lol) as there is always someone else in the room.

Your experience with childminder might be different of course.

I think the ideal scenario ( not sure if realistic) would be to have childminder that comes to your place and so you can work
from home, the baby does not get upset because its left in unknown/ new environment. I'll try to do just that with DC no2.

Also, read online reviews I found that very helpful.

Good luck, you got this mama