Help me decide

[eloisah]

Have 9mo and 3.6yo and soon returning to work 3 days pw.

3.6yo is currently at a day nursery 3 days a week and enjoys it.
Have a place for 9mo at same nursery. 8 babies and 3 staff in the babyroom.
Its on my way to work and convenient and also open 51 weeks of the year.

However, 3.6yo been offered place in nursery of primary he will be hopefully attending. I went to see local childminder today and really liked her and her setting, she has just got ofsted outstanding and has a place for both my children. (Also saw another childminder a few weeks ago who was lovely too.) Both have dogs which worried me slightly (posted a thread about this a few weeks ago) but I asked them and they have pet policies and strategies in place to settle children with the animals, so I feel reassured.

Arrghhh! I am really torn. between the nursery for both (which I am used to, its easy for me and I believe is a "safe" enviroment etc) and moving out of my comfort zone and going more local with childminder.

Please, I need others viewpoints and opinions to help me decide what to do.

you are going to have to change childcare when 3.6 goes to school - will they be a just 4 and go sept 2011 or a nearly 5 and go sept 2012

i personally would change now, you have found not one but 2 cm who you like/are near you and can have both dc - this is rare and grab with both hands

it will be nice for your dc to go to a nursery attached to the school they go to and move with friends

Hi - take the kids along for another visit - that should help -most good and outstanding CM are pretty good
and if the CM can do school run then it will mean no change when your DD1 starts school and you should have holiday cover as well - which can be tricky

crw, both CM do school runs to the primary my son will be going to. I only saw her yesterday, do you think she would be up for me going again so soon? I agree it would be good to get it all in place this year for when he starts school proper.

Blondes you make a good point, this is a good opportunity isnt it.

Im veering towards the 2nd childminder who is only 10 mins walk from where we live.

indeed i do and yes it is :)

could be worse you could have to find childcare and not like an cm/they smoke/are full up etc

if you like both of them the same, then pick nearer one to you

Good points well made.. thanks for your help!