childminder or nursery

[backtoworkmummy]

Hi everyone...due to go back to work soon and would love some advice/opinions on nursery versus childminders...all comments will be appreciated...its a tough one and i know ultimately its my decision but i'd just like to hear some real experience first and who better than lots of mummys or daddys

Thank everyone

Hi backtoworkmummy! I had a year off work and was dreading the thought of 'someone else' looking after my ds, but he is at nursery now 3 mornings a week and absolutely loves it! He gets really excited when we get to the front door and all the nursery nurses are fantastic with him, even the cook blows him kisses when he leaves!!
He has improved no end with his speech and physical activities and i think it is all down to being in an environment with a lot of children of all ages and copying what they do. I'm not sure of how many children a childminder would have, but i'm sure your lo would thrive in any environment. Through my experience though, i would go for nursery! Good luck with going back to work

hi! I am a childminder so am biased however I just wanted to recommend that you go and look - at nursery's and childminders. Ask lots of questions and think about what is important to you and your child while they are away from you.
To give you some info on childminders, we are usually allowed up to 6 children under 8 at any one time. Only 3 of these may be under 5 and usually only 1 can be under 12 months. This can sometimes depend on the childminder and her/his registration conditions. All childminders have first aid and child protection training and are inspected by Ofsted against detailed standards. www.surestart.gov.uk and www.ofsted.gov.uk have lots of information regarding the different types of childcare available and may be able to answer some of your questions. Again, I believe the most important thing you can do is visit some childcare settings to see for yourself. Hope this helps.

DS goes to a lovely childminder friend twice a week for 4 hours so I can work from home. It has been great for him and I have felt incredibly comfortable leaving him with her because he has bonded with her very well and I'm happy that he has the continuity of care within a family environment.
Just my personal preference - I'm not great on noise and wanted him to be somewhere that had potential for peace, soft furnishings and just felt homey.