So do I go for a childminder or nursery???? am so torn

[justJAM]

Any info, pros/cons greatly recieved

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sorry taylormama how is using the word "disturbing" not balanced?
had you have witnessed a small baby having its hands tied behind its back with sellotape by the assistant manager of a nursery would you not find that disturbing then?

haily111 no offence taken...

at childminder getting a german shepheard if she had just got it how could she possibly know that it was ok with children?

I LOVE dog btw!

IMO being a network CM is no proof at all of how kind they are to their charges - I have seen some of them be quite mean and strict with the children in ways that I would never be, but they are good at doing all the forms and complying with every regulation going.

I am not a network CM, and nor are some of the best CMs in my area. I currently look a quite young baby (as well as other mindees) and I never let him cry for more than a moment - I spend a lot of time walking around with him, singing, rocking, dirty nappies are changed straight away, he gets the sleep he needs, he gets to play with his siblings and other children. I wonder if a nursery could match this?

smee - of course i would find what you mention disturbing - who wouldn't - my point was that there was so much anti-nursery feeling that this thread was in danger of becoming very one-sided. Yes that incident may have happened in a nursery but it doesn't mean it happens in all of them ... if you also read my comment i think i said to do your research well whether you choose a childminder or a nursery ... childcare is obviously an issue which rouses strong feelings but to tar all nursery care with the same brush seems unfair to the very good nurseries which are out there ...

taylormama, just to clarify that i did state that "im sure there are a lot of terrible cms out there too" so i wasnt being totally one sided!
i was shocked,disturbed and appaled at the type of "care" i witnessed at 4 different nurserys which is why I would never ever reccomend a nursery.
thats my view and that will never change!

Being a member of the NCMA means that I have paid them some money to join. It doesn't do any kind of checks on childminders. It means that I can buy NCMA paperwork (contracts etc.) cheaper than if I didn't join, have access to legal help if needed and so on. It certainly does not mean that I am, somehow, a "better" childminder.

Being a network childminder means that I am on a quality assured scheme. This entails more frequent visits by a co-ordinator. I have to agree to do a minimum amount of training. This also does not mean that I am a "better" childminder, but I certainly use it as a plus-point if trying to sell myself to a new potential client.

Again, I get cross with Ofsted's grading system. I think many parents think that being graded as "outstanding" automatically means that a minder is a brilliant childcarer, and that a "satisfactory" childminder therefore is not quite as good. I know some fabulous, caring "satisfactory" childminders (who don't have a good stack of paperwork). And I know some "outstanding" childminders who are not the earth mothers which parents may think they are.

Parents should visit childminders and nurseries, and go with their gut instincts and also ask to speak to other parents (who use or have used that nursery or childminder). Please don't rely on paperwork and official blurb issued by the nursery/childminder.

Have just logged on after not being able to get on over the weekend and want to say a big thank you to everyone for the advice and info, to those that provided links, thanks muchly! I will have a look over them today. I know the CM/nursery debate is a very emotive subject so apologies for starting a thread that upset anyone! I did start a thread for recommended CM's in the brentwood area but to no avail
Thanks again for all of your help

i have an excellent nursery (nursary )
turn up all times of day unannounced
i've never seen anything, ever, i would be worried about.
and yes, the staff do also have their children there.
my dcs have excellent relationships with the staff - cared for each day by the same 2 or 3 girls, who i also use for babysitting.

just wanted to add a note to the pro childminder replies which is to think about how your child would fare at nursery if feeling abit under the weather. My (3yo) mindee today has a bit of a temperature, runny nose etc and more than anything else just wants to sit cuddled up on the sofa watching cbeebies (mum suggested this). I don't know that at a nursery this would possible.