Childminder or nursery?

Depending on where you live, availability might dictate this.

You'd not get a place for the end of the year in many of the nurseries near me.

Nursery is my preference. More reliable in terms of not having to close for sickness, holidays. Less reliance on one person being on the same wavelength. Childminder relationships can break down like any other. But having said all that, I’d definitely use a childminder over a mediocre nursery, it all depends on what provision is available to you.

Work in childcare and have my own little one. Ii would look at both, and a few of them. I looked at nurseries for my own, and I didn't get that good gut feeling. I couldn't imagine my baby being there. He also came to work with me, I work for a childminder, we have upto 9 children at a time, 3 adults and he struggled.
He's now with a childminder who has upto 4 children and he is thriving. Theres benefits to the different options.

I went with a childminder because I like the more personal touch of a childminder and just one adult to get used to. Also means if I need some care for my older dc in holidays she will often help out to. I only need one day childcare though so that also makes a difference

For me would depend on age .. I felt better with childminder up to 2 but after 2 nursery as she loved the social interaction of all the other kids.. I went back to work when she was 4months and I didn't like the nursery for when she was a baby.

We went with nursery but don't forget to visit a few as you will get the feeling when you find the right one.

We go to a small nursery less than 40 children ages 6 months to 5 years.

Nursery isn't closed due to childminder illness or holidays (CM near me has 5 weeks off a year, so worth asking that question if you visit any) .
I don't have to worry about a childminder driving my daughter around.
I need all year round and not term time.
I like the fact all the children are the same age.
I like that I leave my daughter in one place and isn't take to groups or parks.

Book a place soon which ever route you go down as childcare in my area is crazy and don't forget to use the tax free childcare account.

We preferred nursery as it’s more reliable, groups of the same age, chef cooking the food and all meals included, staff training and accountability and no staff holidays to worry about.

What's your child like? I had a naturally sociable 1 year old who liked lots of people and busy places, so nursery was an easy choice. If they'd been shy or more clingy by nature I'd be more inclined toward a childminder.

Go and see both, it will depend on the options you have as to which is better for your child.

Would always pick nursery myself but it’s personal choice

Agree with @wouldukissafrog and was also add that I like that my DC form attachments to a few different staff members, rather than just one CM. We went with a nursery chain and I like the idea that there's an organisational structure, people thinking about training and safeguarding etc. Felt like there was more accountability. Other people prefer that less formal, home environment though.

It's personal choice so you will get so many conflicting opinions. Personally for us we preferred nursery

• DD in a room with other children in her age group as opposed to not with a CM as they have limitations of number of kids and ages

• reliability of nursery not having to worry about CM holiday or sickness

• learning from peers and group play linking to point 1 about mixing with kids of similar age and development

But you need to think of all options and figure out what's best for you