AIBU to ask if you've ever removed your child from nursery in favour of a childminder and your reasons?

[Gurrrrr]

Currently thinking about doing this for my son who just isn't settling very well. He's upset every morning going to nursery, apparently angry whilst there and is refusing to nap. He used to love it but I think due to ever changing 'key workers' he's just feeling more and more unsettled and overwhelmed and I think he'd benefit from a smaller group / one caregiver instead of several.

Any positive stories? What have you found the benefits of a childminder over nursery?

I've literally just done this from the start of the year with my 10 mo. I liked the nursery and my DD clearly had a lot of fun there, but she just would not nap!
We gave it four months and it got worse rather than better, so we decided to move her to a childminder. Now, she sleeps for an hour in the morning and 1.5-2hr in the afternoon and is so much less overtired in the evenings. Just go with your gut.

Used childminder for both children until they were 3 and definitely the right choice for me. I wanted a home environment when they were younger which the childminder provided. It most closely replicated if the child were to be at home with me - the daily school run, going to shops, park and also developing bonds with older children. They developed a good attachment to her and still remember her very fondly. Our childminder was extremely reliable - only unplanned days off were the few days she was Covid positive and not legally allowed to open. She would have planned holidays and would tell us the dates a year in advance.

I felt much more confident finding a nursery for an older child - picked one based on their personality and what I wanted from it. Chosen nursery was staffed by older, more experienced staff members with a big focus on learning (through play ofc). When they started at 3 years old, they settled into nursery without looking back once - they were absolutely ready for the step.

My friend's 18 month goes to a childminder full time since she was 1yo. She recently stopped napping completely, even though there's only 1 or 2 other children being looked after there. I know that's only one example and probably not the norm, but you can't say it's a given that they'll sleep better at a childminder. Conversely I have a friend who has been a nursery worker for many years, the kids there all nap together well in a special quiet room for a set period. It must vary massively.

Am considering pulling mine out of nursery at the moment, feel like since she moved from baby room the quality of care is way lower and I don't feel that she's looked after as well.

I did with DD4. I had used the same nursery for my elder three children. However, a new manager came in, staff retention became poor, corners started being cut and bumped heads/falling over/scrapes and bumps (which I appreciate totally are normal) became far too frequent so I moved her.

She loved the CM. She loved the smaller group and loved the mixed ages of the children - especially after collecting the "big kids" from school in the afternoon.

I did for very similar reasons to your post. Best thing I did for DS and my peace of mind whilst at work.

Often childminders cancel sessions (sometimes last minute) due to illness, holidays etc and then you're left with no childcare, whereas with a nursery you generally know when they'll be shut in advance. There's also no guarantee a childminder will be able to put your child down for a nap either. If I were you I'd just switch nurseries.

On the other hand most childminders I know only shut if it's absolutely unavoidable, are available to have your child if they are 'under the weather' and always book holidays in conjunction with parents or a long way in advance.

I've been childminding for over 20yrs and have never had an instance where I have been unable to put a child down for a nap. On the contrary, I can get children to nap even when the parent has told me 'they never sleep in the day'.

I used childminders for both of mine from age 1 to 2.5, then mixed part time pre nursery from 2.5 gradually increasing till just nursery from 3ish. I did have a wobble with my eldest a few months after going back to school because all my colleagues and other working mums I knew favoured nursery so I had a few sessions at different local highly regarded nurseries. Those convinced me that whilst nursery was brilliant for the slightly older children (say 2.5 or 3 and older) it felt very stressful for the under 2s.

I used a different childminder for each child due to moving areas and both were brilliant. My children settled quickly and did lovely outings and activities with the childminder. I preferred the more relaxed homely environment whilst they were younger then switching to nursery later when they were ready.

Have a simply wonderful childminder. DD will be hopefully going to a school nursery once she turns three and I'll be very sad she'll leave the CM, but have already asked CM to look after our son (due Feb) after mat leave.

Our CM is Ofsted inspected, provides a beautiful home from home setting and doesn't cancel. She's had to take a week off for surgery and appointments but gives loads of notice. She is term time only so we know when holidays are.

I'll also say - DD really benefits from CM's own children and the other kids she looks after. And she doesn't get sick nearly as much as friends kids in nurseries.

I used a CM for my DCs many years ago. Advantages are:

1. Home-like environment. DCs can have peace and quiet when they want, and get away from it all if they need to.
2. I always felt young children need a close bond with a primary adult figure rather than lots of different adults.
3. Flexibility, e.g to do a different day next week, paid half price retainer in school holidays
4. Normal life experiences of birthday parties, toddler groups, etc.
5. Illness, CM much more flexible about minor illnesses, temperatures. No silly 48 hours after vomiting when we all know they just went on the trampoline too soon after eating 3 slices of cake.
6. If DCs were ever teary at drop-off, CM would then send me a photo of them playing happily but the time i arrived st work, such a nice touch so i didn't worry all day.