What is best? Childminder or nursery?

[Jenspen81]

Hello. I'm going back to work in January and need childcare for my daughter one day a week who will by then be six months old. Not sure whether a childminder or nursery is best. Any thoughts? And any recommendations? I live in earlswood in Surrey. Thank you.

Jennie

I've used both and for a 6 month old,slightly prefer a childminder as there is only one person responsible and as they are only allowed one child under 1,you can guarantee that her needs will be met.Although you might have a really good key worker in a nursery I've found that mine have formed bonds with certain girls only for them to leave.
I really like the social aspects that a nursery offers but I don't think they need this at 6 months.
Pros of nursery are that you never need to find holiday cover.My childminder took 4 weeks holiday per year and although used others to cross cover her,this might not always be possible.Also you need to see how flexible the childminder is time-wise;some will work until late and do tea and bath time and let you pick up when the child is in pyjamas but others,like mine,only wanted to work until 5.30 which is when the nursery was actually more able to suit my needs.
So,lots of variables ,and depends on your own hours and also what is available to you locally.

Thanks superhero lots of things I hadn't considered! I do think I prefer the idea of the one to one attention from a childminder but hadn't considered holiday cover!

It really is personal choice. You will get answers saying their Nursery is great or their CM is great.
I've never had problems with CMs taking holiday, but they are each self employed, so it's a question to ask (what they do about that) when you contact them.
For me personally, I much preferred the idea of a CM for a little one- it is so much more like 'home'. I hate the idea of tiny children being in the one room all day long (possibly less of a concern as it's only for one day with you), but I wanted my dc to walk up to the shops or into the park ,etc.,etc, every day. CMs are generally far more helpful in terms of taking them when they are a bit under the weather, etc.

Also worth bearing in mind most nurseries will want you to do a min of two days so that your little one settles better as once a week means a long gap for them between visits so will take longer to settle in. You may be able to find a one day nanny for not much more than a day at nursery esp if you have to do two days at nursery but would only need the nanny for one day.

Thanks everyone this is all very helpful!

For one day a week I'd say childminder. Kids find it really hard to settle into nursery if they're not there much ime.