OK, I feel I must come out in defence of childminders! Yes there are some who are rubbish.
I too would not send my child to a CM where he would be watching TV, spending a lot of time in a buggy or a cafe, or where the CM was doing her housework!
But I think many people are not aware that there are some excellent CMs out there, who approach their job with the highest levels of professionalism. Do read a potential CM's OFSTED report, they're not going to get a good or outstanding rating if their just dragging the child about with them rather than providing excellent care!
Let me give you an idea of what our CM does, so you can see why I'm so enthusiastic.
Our CM employs assistants, who are also OFSTED registered. Between them they look after up to 6 children, all in the same age group (currently they?re 1-2). We particularly liked this as it means DS gets to spend time with the same group of children his age, and he has built up good friendships with them.
Our CM plans the week ahead, so we all know what the children will be doing - and even what they'll be eating - before the week begins. Every day she gives us a brief written report so we can see what our DCs got up to, and what they especially liked doing that day.
Typically they go out in the mornings - perhaps to one of the many parks, a city farm, the library or maybe to feed the ducks. This is very important to me as I like the idea that DS is out and about in the world, having new experiences, not cooped up in one place all the time.
In the afternoons they do activities at the house. In the few months DS has been there, he's done so much - messy play and painting, ball play, water play, learning about mini-beasts etc. She reads to them, and makes sure they have plenty of time for free play. The toys and equipment she has in fantastic.
She even has someone who comes once a week to do a special creative session with them.
Importantly for us, our CM is flexible. If we want him to attend outside of his agreed days she's always managed to accommodate us. She's able to give us a degree of flexibility that a nursery can't.
Our CM never has the TV on, or does her housework while working (I might mention it to her just to see her face! The idea would be like me bringing my ironing to the office), or drags the DCs around while conducting her life. She is a professional, and the welfare and development of our children is her priority.
DS is always absolutely beaming when I pick him up, he gets so much out of his time there, and I very much appreciate the fact that our relationship is personal. She only has 6 children to get to know, and she has taken great pains to make sure the care she provides is appropriate for each child.
She?s not the only one like this. There are other very professional CMs about.
When DS is a bit older he may well go to a nursery. But for early years care, I don?t think you can beat an outstanding CM.