What's best for boys - childcare or nursery?

[Holymoly321]

DS is currently 4 months and I'll be going back to work 3 days a week in September. I'm starting to think about childcare (I know I know, need to put his name down for any good nurseries like, yesterday!). Have read that boys do better with childminders but am unsure. What are people's thoughts? Also, if childminder is the way to go, how do you go about finding a good one that is'nt going toplonk your kids in front of a dvd all day or drag them up and down the shops?

Every child is an individual - so trust your instincts on your own child as to what would suit him best.
Your second question is answered politely by suggesting you interview and seek references.

Gosh, I hope I haven't offended any childminders out there. I'm sure they're all very good at their jobs - the dvd and shopping comment was one passed on to me by someone at baby group!

Best way is to visit a couple of nurseries and vsit/interview a couple of childminders, and see what you think. You know your lo best so will be in a better position to see which would suit him the most.

Theres probably good and bad nurseries and good and bad childminders. Nursery option sometimes sounds great then you realise when you collect your baby at the end of the day and you ask 'how have they been' and they start telling you about a different child altogether that it might not always be best option as happened to me.

I have always used a childminder as I wanted childcare to be as close to what she would get at home if I wasn't working. She has also formed a close bond with my childminder over the years and is treated like part of the family.

I felt that at nursery they get different people so the continuity of care wouldn't be there iyswim. Plus childminders are cheaper.... Sorry to put this into the equation but money is at least part of the reason why working mums work!

Forgot to mention that ds also goes there and he has also formed a close bond with cm too!