Which CM should we choose?

[lowrib]

We're moving town and looking for childcare in our new town.

We're trying to choose between two brilliant CMs. They both seem fantastic. Both have a good rating from OFSTED and both are very experienced - CM1 used to be a primary school teacher. CM2 has been a CM for 12 years. We warmed to both of them, DS would be very happy at both places I'm sure.

The dilemma is this.

CM1
good bits

• much nearer to us (20 minute journey by bus)
• used to be a teacher, and trains other CMs
• slightly more on our wavelength

not so good bits

• will be taking DS on the school run
• no children DS's age (he's 18m. the nearest are 13m and 3).

CM2
good bits

• CM2 has 2 children DS's age.

not so good bits

• About 40 minutes away by bus.

The reason it's a difficult choice is that at his current CMs all the children are about DS's age and it's been so good for his development - particularly the ones just a couple of months older than him, he's learnt so much from them. When I think of this it seems CM2 should be the obvious choice. 40 minutes away might sound like a lot, but my journey to DS's current CM is 45 minutes, and I don't mind a bit of inconvenience as this is just so important to get right IMO.
But then, that's an extra 40minutes on DS's day too. And CM1 used to be a teacher, which is great, and she actually trained CM2! She seemed to talk our language a bit more IYKWIM. But CM2 was absolutely lovely too.

Decisions decisions!

What would you do?

oops I meant to bold those bits, not cross them out!

I work as a CMer and I would go with the first one, a 40 minute bus journey at the end of the day would be a total nightmare?

Plus, IMO the age of the children doesn't matter if you have a good CMer. A spread of ages 18m, 13m and 3 yrs is way easier to manage than 3*18months. I'd imagine the first childminder would be able to get out more easily etc with that age range.

Plus, children learn more IMO from older and younger children - not the same age children. So your son will learn how to be gentle etc with the smaller one, but learn about speech and motor skills etc from the bigger one. Assuming again they are nice children and the CMer is good at putting together activities that everyone can do together.

As they wont be going to school together (I assume) then to me age isn't important; but I know others disagree on this point.

Good luck!

I'm a CM and totally agree with Navy. Anyway, the 18m and 13m is only a 5 month gap and believe me, that will soon be nothing. I speak from experience as I started back working (after maternity leave) when ds2 was 10 wks old. My mindees were 8m, 17m and 19m. I still have all these children and their ages are (starting with ds2) 2.0, 2.6, 3.2 & 3.4 - honestly, you wouldn't believe how well they ALL get on, how they interact so well and play together just like the same ages would. In fact, the younger ones started doing a lot of things earlier than others because they have been bought up with close ages.

Another BIG selling point for me with CM1 is the 'more on our wave length' - I really think in the long run this is very important.

It's up to you but you've solde CM1 to me

Hiya navyeyelasH.

Thanks for your reply. It really helps to talk it over.

I should have said, CM2 has an assistant, so she can manage more little ones. I don't mind doing a long journey, if it's for DS's benefit (I do at the moment).

Interesting what you say about ages, I'll have a think about it.

I would go with CM1. I don't see the harm in your DS going on a school run. In fact I feel it is beneficial to be with children of other ages.

lowri, I too am sold on CM1

they both sound super but the different ages makes the difference

I'll tell you why - from when you put DS into preschool in a few years, he will be with peers all the way through his education

What NEL said

Yes, school runs are such a positive, they really are!! The children (even babies) have big smiles seeing all the action at school and are so much more prepared for it when it's their turn. It's not this big scary place as they've seen it as part of the norm for ages (in fact, my lot can't understand why they can't start already and love to sit on the carpet with the big children for storytime at the end of the day etc.)

Think I'd go for CM1, purely down to the long bus trip home.!
Can I just ask why the school run appears to be a problem for you? It gets the children out and about into their local community, they meet the teachers who potentially are going to be their teachers and therefore become familiar with a school environment.
All my LO's love going on the school run, its a nice gentle paced (short) walk, they get to see and make 'big friends' - friends of my own and minded children and they all make a fuss of the LO's

As to the age gap - that is nothing really and older children (like your LO) can still learn lots from a younger child and they learn to be helpful, kind, with a good CM they will be teaching all the children through good behaviour management - ie a child pulls hair or snatches a toy - the CM will involve everyone at some point in what is the kind and right thing to do so that a) the little monkey is not singled out b) its a whole learning experience
As all children have different strengths and weaknesses, again learning experiences are abound even with younger/older children.

Thanks everyone, some good advice here.

looneytune "Another BIG selling point for me with CM1 is the 'more on our wave length' - I really think in the long run this is very important." I think you could be right there.

if you have any other questions, feel free to ask us anytime lowri

I speak from experience. I have a fantastic relationship with all my parents and like to think they could tell me ANYTHING they weren't happy with. But the main thing is we all have similar ideas to parenting. I've had some in the past who I haven't 'clicked' with quite the same and it feels very awkward when you're used to having the other sort of relationship with parents. Parenting styles can really differ and I think it's great if you start off with the same views etc.