Help me to decide between two CMs please.

[stereo]

I've finally managed to whittle my shortlist down to two possible CMs but now need some help in deciding which to choose. I'm equally happy with both but they are in very different situations in terms of mindees and own DCs:

CM1 - minds one 2.5yr old girl full-time plus 2 after schoolers and her own two DDs - 5 and 10.

CM2 - has own 5mth old baby, own 4yr old DS plus 2 pre and after schoolers and her own 7 yr old DS.

All other things being equal which would you choose? My DS is 10 mths old. I guess I'm wondering in particular if CM2 will be able to give as much attnetion to my DS having her own very young baby plus her own 4 yr old DS. Your thoughts please!

Thanks in advance!

Most cms can only look after one child under the age of one. Does the second cm have a variation or if you did pick her would she get a variation? If not i don't know how it is possible to have two of them at the same time.

I think cm1 would have more time.

So the 'bigger kids/own kids' are much of a much really aren't they.

Do you want your DS to spend his time with a younger baby or a a toddler?

Go with your gut feeling as to which one you like best.

If in doubt, toss a coin. If you are happy with the result, then it's the right choice. If you are a bit disappointed, then you will know it's the other one.

Thanks so far everyone. Polly, DS will be 1 yr when he goes to CM.

CM1 i think still :)

I agree with the coin thing and see how you feel :) (good idea btw!)

I wouldn't necessarily think the 2nd childminder wouldn't cope as well because of the ages etc. Children we care for change over time you can change how you feel about more or less children. Out of my lot, 2 started with me at 8 weeks old (now 3 and nearly 4), one of the mums was a very nervous mum who didn't want many children and was happy to pay double to reduce the numbers I had (I was ok with that at the time). Then as time went by and her child got a little older, she could see the benefit of having more and a livelier house and so we agreed for me to fill the 2nd slot and get another mindee to take that space (so just paying for 1 space) and that was fine. Then I was pg with ds2 and had another 8 week old start, then more and more families wanted extra days anyway, fast forward to ds2 being born and me starting back after ML.......(with a variation) I had a 10 wk old, 8 month old, 17 month old and 18 month old plus 5 yr old ds1 and 4 year old mindee. This was 2.4 years ago and they are all still with me, some for even more hours than they were plus I have some others to add to the mix. This house is very busy but the children are very happy and full of beans most of the time :)

What I'm saying is in that time, my setting and the ages changed and the way that parent (and others) felt about it all changed. I think both childminders have a mix of good ages so I'd be inclined to go with the PERSON you like the most/feel has the same parenting ideas.

Sorry that was long winded, just wanted to give you something else to think about :)

Good luck with your decision!

cm1. definitely!

CM1! Because then there is only one napping child (yours) needing to be taken into account when planning outings and activities.