Can you please help me decide nursery of CM?

[MrsVidic]

Hello,

Well the time has come for me to put my DD in child care once a week as I have returned to work. The day needs to be flexible- i.e. some weeks monday, some tuesday and some friday etc. I had never really considered a cm but decided to research it as my nursary initally said they could not be flexible but have now said the will be (when I was about to tell them I couldn't put my dd in on account of this).

I have to decide between a nursary on a farm, nice people good ofsted and a cm who I have met and I like, good exp, v flexible and good ofstead.

My concerns are about the ammount of attention my 1 yr old dd will get at either. The benefits/ problems of a mix of ages at the cm vs the size of class at the nursary.

My dd is quite shy with babies but loves older children and there is onle 1 other 1 yr old at the cm's then other older children

WWYD? I'm getting quite emotional typing this

Is your cm definitely able to be that flexible?

My dd1 went to nursery and loved it; it was quite a busy nursery but she was confident and sociable.

My dd2 coped much better with a cm but now she is almost 3 and a bit more confident she will be going to nursery 2 days per week.

I wouldn't worry too much about your 1 year old being shy with babies, at that age she will be changing all the time. :)

For us we felt that the more one to one relationship with the cm (who only had one other mindee at the time) suited dd2 better than the fairly busy baby room at the nursery. :)

Yes, the cm knows the score- thats why I contacted her- she seems really nice- I am swaying that way tbh

My dcs also went to a fab nursery at a farm - wonder if it's the same one? - and both loved it.

However, both went more than just once a week so wonder, if your dc is shy, whether a one-to-one bond with a single carer might be better?

beachwood farm- Dinahrod- is it the same?

Hi MrsVidic, sadly no not the same one, but going to nursery at a farm is a fantastic environment - dcs spend a lot of time outside, are physically very confident and are very cool about handling animals. But if your dc is going to nursery one day a week they might find it easier to bond with one carer in a quieter place. My second dd settled at nursery straight away but my first born took some time to settle and that was going 3 days a week.

We also use a childminder now as well for before and after school care and am seriously thinking about using a cm for my third dc who'll be a little under a year when I return to work part time and then at a later stage sending him to nursery but tbh I have been very pleased with the care at both.

I'd choose the nursery, especially if you need to be flexible. A CM may get a better prospect and may give notice if you are not full time especially for just one day a week where you may take her over numbers if a new enquiry comes along.

There are lots of advantages to nursery, no school runs, no shopping/housework/friends visting, children of the same age, lots of toys/crafts/messy play. Open most of the year and staff holidays and sickness are covered.

The farm nursery sounds lovely, all that space.

I have this problem, I have a CM and a nursery who can take dd's but, although I need 5 days a week the hours for each day are flexible.
I foudn it so hard to decide as my heart is saying CM but my head says nursery. In the end I have been mercenary and decided on the money, a CM will cost £3k more, and considering that a nursery is only £6k that's a lot because I will have to pay for hours I might not need or use.

One thing that did sway me in favour for the nursery was when we visited they were doing playdough and after they finished one member of staff cleared up but there were still 4 able to play with the children. I also liked that dd2 will be with 7 or 8 other children her own age and not a large mix of ages/babies as she is that little bit older (she's 3)

HappyMummyOfOne as a childminder shopping, housework, and friends visiting occur very occasionally and when they do they are linked with learning and never to the detriment of the children. Childminders can attend local community groups and have more opportunities to visit parks, soft play areas, gymnastic centres and other outdoor environments. I have lot's of toys and crafts or messy activities. I open 48 weeks a year same as a nursery holidays and sickness are covered by the network of childminders I work with.

My dd (now 5) went to nursery and I think it was fabulous for her developmentally, socially, educationally and in preparing her for school.
My friends child goes to childminders and struggles with larger groups of children and with routine. She also spends a lot of time watching tv and eating crisps!
I guess it depends on quality of both. I prefer nurserys but it is personal choice.

Unfortunately you do get good and bad with all types of childcare. I have had three children start school last year and all were ready for school both socially and developmentally. I do not allow children to spend lot's of time watching tv or eating crisps. Last thursday (I had friday off)We made cakes in the morning then we went to pre-school gymnastics. We dropped the older girls at brownies, then we had action packed afternoon involving role play, garden play, we made collages, we sung songs, played musical instruments and had a picnic.

Lesbianmummy, I am not for one minute suggesting all cm are the same. Sorry if I offended you.
It really does depend very much on the quality of the childcare. There are some rubbish nurserys out there too!

missmoopy you have not offended me but it is a common misconception that childminders dump kids in front of tv and do housework etc but all childcare settings that work with children under 5 must work to the requirements of the Early years Foundation Stage Framework and give children the same quality and opportunities. I do not say child minders are better than nurseries each child and setting is unique and what works for one child does not work for another but whenever you read these threads it implies childminders are unprofessional. I have worked in nurseries in the past and that inspired my choice to become a childminder as I did not like what I saw and the examples some set.

You sound like a great cm

thank you I do try to be as good as I can

LM1 you sound like my cm who has just given up cm. dd2 had a most fantastic time with the cm, and learnt such a lot. It has really given her the confidence to "do" her preschool year in nursery setting.

YOu do sound great LM sadly for me the CM who could take dd's is also brilliant and came highly recommended.
The thing to rememebr, op, is that the only person who can make the choice is you, and you are the one that has to be happy and content with the choice you have made. Is there a choice where you woudl be questioning it or worrying?
have you tried the list of pros and cons?
In all honesty I never thought I would send dd's to a nursery as I was very nearly a CM myself a few years ago (was registered and everything!) but I am happy with the choice I have made and I knwo the girls are safe.