Experience with childminder

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As a first time mum I'm finding the child care options available rather overwhelming.

My DS has just turned two and we're looking into the best options for him. He's not talking yet so that is something I'm taking into consideration when making my choices.

I run a small business part time plus I'm managing a major home renovation so I need some childcare but not as much as if I were full time employment.

I posted in the childcare forum recently as I started my DS in nursery and I wasn't happy with the staff. I feel like the nursery wasn't the right choice for us - I chose it because a close family member had been happy with it and I first looked around it when DS was small and I had no clue of his or my needs.

I don't want to rule out nursery despite this bad experience. A doctor recommended I send him to nursery to help with speech and so many of my friends have had positive experiences with nursery.

However, even though we live in Central London there are limited choices for other daycare nurseries that have the flexibility I require (I only really need two days a week). Most of the preschool nurseries that I've looked at that start at 2 years old require five days a week. There are a few options but I still need to actually visit them as they are only just allowing open days and visitors again.

My son has a nanny two mornings a week at the moment and she takes him on little days out and to playgroups but I worry this isn't enough social contact or stimulation for him given his lack of speech. He has been really happy with her though.

Some of my friends use a local childminder. She has her own rented space away from her home and it is set up like a mini nursery and she take nine children with the help of two assistants. I visited her space and DS has a great time plus she offers the flexibility I require. I don't have much knowledge of childminders but has anyone here used one? Has it helped a child with a speech delay?

As a last bit of information, I'm still looking after him the majority of the time and we do lots of playdates, activities and classes. Plus I have him booked in for a speech therapy assessment next week.

Helping with his speech will come down to the individual and not the type of setting. There will be no difference in speech gains/socialisation between a good nursery, a good nanny and a good childminder. It's ready down to you picking the best option based on the individuals available to you.

Both the childminder and the nanny sound like good options.

Children do need to be 'ready' for school, but this doesn't mean sending them to a school environment to learn numbers/letters etc. The skills actually needed for school will be taught by any responsive caregiver.

[quote jannier]@Blondeshavemorefun
Current research shows that early intervention at 2 has marked impact on educational achievement aged 16 so any possibility that there is delay its best to push for assessment. But childrens centres can start this process.[/quote]
Our area/council won’t do anything till 3

100% go with the childminder, my daughter was behind at nursery and I never felt like she got the attention she needed. We found a childminder who would have around 10 in a day with helpers and it was perfect, there's enough people to help focus on the needs of each individual child and there's still enough children for your child to learn social skills. She came on leaps and bounds in the environment.

Your DS was happy there so that would be a good indication for me.
We actively chose childminder over nursery for my DC when they were little until they got to nursery age. I was so much more comfortable giving my baby to one consistent trusted adult than a succession of young girls in a nursery.
I wanted a more natural homely environment and the chance for him to go out and about on trips.
She was able to work around his routine much more than a nursery
She was also much more flexible than a nursery would have been with my shift work and even had my older daughter for a week or so in the school holidays
My DS adored his child minder and worshipped her older boys and he still went over to play years after he had left.
I personally would always recommend a good childminder over a nursery for under 3s.

@Blondeshavemorefun
Thats a real shame. The point of 2 year funding is becouse itscrecognised early intervention is so important. If you know children with issues its worth looking at the I can charity website, and Gina Davies ...Attention autism FB page....attention skills through bucket time are great for all children with speech issues and the first step to communication.

I loved our childminder, honestly it was the perfect combination of a smaller group of little ones, and doing coordinated activities with others in the area. Nothing against nurseries at all, all settings are great it just depends on circumstances, but they also are registered with ofsted and have to follow certain standards- so it's not like they just babysit.

[quote jannier]@Blondeshavemorefun
Thats a real shame. The point of 2 year funding is becouse itscrecognised early intervention is so important. If you know children with issues its worth looking at the I can charity website, and Gina Davies ...Attention autism FB page....attention skills through bucket time are great for all children with speech issues and the first step to communication.[/quote]
Know. A few 2yrs who get noted on their check that speech is delayed /limited but they wait till 3

Tbh most by then are talking but you always get some that slip through the net

If your son is happy at the CM then I would choose that.

I've used a CM part-time since my DD was just under 10 months old. She will be 3 in autumn.

I prefer children under 3 to be with one main experienced carer, so while I actually live right next to a nursery and a 10 minutes walk from another I chose to use a CM who is a much longer walk away.

Unfortunately it is common to come across people, including child healthcare professionals, who think CM are just baby sitters. When I was looking for childcare I was approached by people who called themselves CM but where not OFSTED registered so this could be the reason why.

While my DD hasn't had issues with her language skills - she started speaking early and has verbal diarrhoea - she is with children who have English as an additional language. The couple in her age group are now speaking confidentially including one who wouldn't speak to anyone. With my DD the CM has managed to indulge her love of books and reading.

Also unlike the 2 nurseries the CM takes the mindees out most days plus they interact and play with all the children there regardless of age. This means they copy each other dressing themselves, potty training, trying to walk long distances, etc.

My DD will be going to a mixture of CM and nursery from September, which a lot of parents choose to do for their 3 and 4 year olds. The nursery is actually close to my DP's work and has a low staff turnover unlike the 2 nurseries I'm near.