Please help me choose childcare!

[OhToBeASeahorse]

We have 2 options really and we cant decide. Neither are perfect.

Context- 2 children, will be 11 months and just 3. 3 full days (7.30-5.30) a week.

Option one
A 'micro nursery' for baby, it's in a house with a childminder but she has a couple of staff. Toddler would go with her and then at 9 he would be driven to a preschool and stay there til pick up.

Pros - baby isnt being moved around, we can keep to a routine and she would nap in a cot. They have LOADS of outdoor space. Oustanding ofsted. Nice family feel as run by husband and wife. No separation between baby and toddlers so everyone integrates. Small - dont think there are ever more than 8 kids. Cheaper option financially and much easier. Toddler already there and happy.

Cons - they dont go out at all, only for walks in fields. I would prefer baby to just have one person to bond with. Worry that 9 til 5.30 is a long time in a preschool for toddler. Preschool is new so don't know reputation (owned by the childminder). Weve had some issues with toddler not having his nappy changed when we have picked him up.

Option 2
Nanny. She would drop toddler off to amazing preschool at 9 and pick him up at 3.

Pros - toddler gets great preschool and isnt there all day. Baby gets one to one and will be taken out for trips etc

Cons - it will mean baby has a lot of on the go naps which I dont love because I dont find they sleep as well. In theory they would have lots of freedom but if baby still has a morning and afternoon nap then really there isnt a huge amount of time between 9 and 3 to do that. Much more expensive option. Never done a nanny contract before (though DH is a lawyer,.I'm.sure we could figure it out).

I like both the CM and the nanny.

Which would you do?

Nanny.. but I would look for a mornings only preschool.

@NuffSaidSam you sound like a fab nanny 😁
@OhToBeASeahorse my two were cared for by a nanny up till eldest was age 4.5 and we switched to a childminder (moved 300km) that only looks after both of them. So they're technically being nannied in the childminder's house. They are both very outgoing sociable kids especially my first that was extremely clingy as a baby.

As previous posters eloquently put it babies under two do not need to socialise with other babies. The research has shown that at that age they need good attachment with a caregiver (in the absence of their parents or primary caregiver). Either ways both options are great.

Either is fine, you might find nanny easier once older one is in school and you have the holidays to deal with.

I'd go for nanny. Much more 1 to 1 time. Shorter time at preschool. Nanny can take baby to any class you'd like. No bags packing etc. If kids are sick then much easier.

Nap schedules change all the time. My little one is 13 months old and she just has one nap a day now. Started that way about 12 months. What age did your 3 year old drop to 1 one nap?

Nanny - a good nanny does loads of socialisation anyway. Tbh I wouldn’t have that much pre school if you have a nanny as she will arrange play dates, take them to groups etc.

Both mine had a nanny - integrated fine into school nursery when the time came.

Nanny. Definitely. Much better for the baby, and will make your life easier in the long run.

Option 1 - babies don't need socialisation just yet but it sounds like a lovely small setting. My two are at a similar very small nursery and it's great for them.

I have considered a nanny before and I think it ends up more expensive than you think once you count in things like food and outings that are covered by nursery / childminder fees usually. Also you can't take a day off and lounge around your house.

If money isn't an issue, nanny & preschool

I could just do preschool 2 days a week which would give the nanny one free day with them?

Or I suppose I could do 3 and send him in on a day I have with them but I'd rather not.

I should also say this is term time only.

We’ve got the same age gap and are going for nanny for all the reasons @NuffSaidSam said. My eldest dropped his morning nap at around 14 months and I’m expecting younger to do similar. Eldest is going to preschool 9-2pm so I can do drop off (though nanny could if I wanted her to) and then nanny will pick him up after the baby has had lunch and nap. They will play together at home til we get back. I think it’s the perfect balance of one to one and sibling time for the baby, and nursery (tiring) and home (relaxing) time for the older one.

Yeah that's how I feel...

I'm nervous because the older one didnt drop his morning nap til he was 20 months...!

@OhToBeASeahorse

Oh we have interviewed a lady we r happy with.

It's just I'm struggling to see what she could actually do with the baby once drop off is done unless all her naps are on the go which I really dont want.

But I love the idea of one on one care and DS coming home after preschool and relaxing.

I'm finding it really hard.

Is the preschool for second choice in walking distance or car only?

I wouldn't base any such decisions around a baby's mapping, as this will change so extensively. Many children actually sleep better in a pram or car anyway....

As for activities, most baby activities are based around timings of parents with children at school, so again not a reason I'd focus on.

I'd prefer the second suggestion.