Childcare for 2 y/o!

[sandymandy123]

Hi everyone! I'm just just looking for some advice as we are new parents just starting to delve into the joys of childcare :) Our daughter is starting nursery from August as I will be going back to work 2.5 days a week after adoption leave, and we have found a lovely nursery to send her to. I am trying to choose between sending her to nursery for 2 full days (8-6) plus one half day with a childminder, or sending her to nursery for 3 full days, which is quite a bit more expensive, although not prohibitive. There is space at both options. My partner and I are both teachers. She will be 2 years 4 months when she starts at nursery and is a happy,bubblyconfident child, not currently clingy at all, so we are hoping she will enjoy it. She is adopted and I have spent a full year at home with her since adopting her last summer. I am thinking there could be possible advantages to having a childminder as well as nursery, but equally maybe the consistency of spending 3 full days at nursery could work better. If anyone has any wisdom to share on this topic it would be really appreciated! Thank you all in advance and have a lovely day :)

I'm not sure why you want both....childminders are registered and inspected by Ofsted and work to the same standards...EYFS. they can provide exactly the same experience and early years education just on a smaller scale......although with some having up to 4 adults working not always that much smaller....

My view is that half a day a week with a childminder isn't enough for your little one to build up a relationship with him /her. With 2.5 days care needed, I would just do either a nursery or a childminder rather than a mix, so that she can develop that relationship and be confident with where she's at.

For 2-3 days a week, I would choose just one setting, either nursery or childminder. There are pros and cons of each. Is one more flexible on hours? I think I would do 2 full days plus a half day, or 3 short days, if possible.

DS is 3 and he's been at nursery since about 9 months. Now we have the 30 hours funding we will probably send him for 2.5 days (he has been doing 2 days). I'd send him for 3 short days if I could but I don't think it's an option at our nursery.

He really enjoys it btw!

Choose one or the other.

Personally for long days I would choose a childminder. She could do a couple of mornings of preschool when she is 3 if you want.

A child just needs one setting and in your circumstances where your child is adopted and has had a long time at home with you I would want that child to feel as secure as possible.
Both settings have pros and cons but I'm sure you'll work out which your daughter prefers.

Definitely just one setting. I work in a nursery and for a child that age consistency is vital.

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful. Our reasons for choosing a nursery in the first place were because we found a really lovely place, and as our daughter is going to be almost 2.5 when starting childcare, so is a little older. Also heard some mixed experiences from local parents of childminder options, and thought nursery might be more reliable on the whole, as we are both teachers and can't take holiday during term time. I think we will place her in nursery for the 3 days, but I will collect her early on the third one. Thanks again for all your help.

It's a shame you've had some negative reviews are they actually people who have used the childminders in question? Some people make assumptions like CMS will be sick or take holiday in term time when many are rarely ill or offer cover others work with assistants and co minders etc in this covid experience I know many who are covering for nurseries that are closed.
I dont think half a day is a problem personally any more than if you used family for half a day.