To ask why you chose a nursery over a childminder or vv?

[mummyrunnerbean]

Just that really. Starting the great childcare hunt and feel all at sea- I'm going back to uni in September when he'll be 13 months.

Also, have already posted asking in childcare, but what in particular should I be looking for, in either case, beyond the obvious?

I went back to work with all 4 when they were about 10 months although job shared with DH for one of them. I have worked 2-3 days/week. I've done a nanny until about 2 1/2 and childcare centre after that. I wanted them to be able to articulate their needs well before they were in a group of other kids. They've all talked reasonably early.

I went back to work when my daughter was 11m and chose a child minder I met in our local playgroup. I saw her in action, with another kid and that was good enough for me. I thought my baby was too young for nursery. She is now almost 2 and still with the same child minder. I still believe she is too young for the nursery setting but my partner believes she should start soon (for education and to socialise). I can already tell we will clash on this because I remember very well my nursery days and how much I hated it. I remember other kids bashing me and carers being impersona and strict. I believe toddlers need a lot of love. That's my two cents

At least at nursery you have a far higher chance of witnesses/ whistleblowing and a management and performance structure in place to deal with it

You'd hope. It doesn't always happen. Vanessa George's colleagues knew something wasn't right, but lacked the confidence to report her. I've personally known a nursery setting where all the staff ganged up on one little boy - and I've been told that's not a unique occurrence either. Will a nursery report it? A poor one will put their reputation first!
Sure it could happen with a childminder, but childminders these days have other childminders they meet up with and work with. They're also far more in the public eye with people prepared to report them. So no more or less likely.

Some people seem to think nurseries are more reliable. Well, again, it depends. A childminder may be sick, but a nursery may also close due to poor weather, broken down heating, flu epidemics - all reasons the nurseries near me have had to close. If we're going by closing rates, those nurseries are less reliable!