Childcare options

[Littlebean123]

Hi, bare with me if my post sounds garbled I am running on very little sleep today 😴and sorry if the post is long.

I was just looking for some advice really on which would be the best option of childcare and how others came to the decision of their choice of childcare.

Option 1 - nursery - we have a couple around, all quite expensive which is not a massive deal but speaking to others there are some deal breakers that have put me off. Things like not sticking to dietary needs (DS has CMPA), ringing to send children home after 1hr because they have a runny nose (this is the nursery we used for DS1 and have to say they would ring for the silliest of reasons). I know not massive deal breakers but I'm a worrier.

Option 2 - private child minder in their home - there are only 2 around and get full quite quickly. I never used one for Ds1 so not sure how they work with regards to fees etc. (Would need to look more at the different options for price). But I know there are a couple slots available at the moment.

I know I'm probably over thinking the whole thing a little too much but I would like to get it right. DS has dietary needs (Cmpa and not gaining weight as he should), hearing issues (not sure of the extent but he can hear just not when it's really loud and noisy if that makes sense) and he's still not walking at the age of 16 months and don't know if it will be an issue.

Which would you chose 🤔

I like say not sticking to dietary needs is a massive deal, and would be a deal breaker for me.

There is rarely a totally right or totally wrong type of childcare - it's just all different, and ticks different boxes with positives and negatives. Childminders can be great as you get a 1-on-1 relationship with someone, potentially for four years up till starting school, but the downside is you need to find cover for their holidays or illness. Nurseries can be good for being a purpose-built childcare environment with lots of toys and equipment, but some children may find that a bit overwhelming and would prefer the domestic setting of staying with a childminder in a regular house. Big groups of other toddlers to play with may be great for some, maybe a nursery does forest school or has someone come in to teach dance or French to older children, you could find a childminder who does trips to the beach or the zoo or museums, or literally lives in the next road over so is super convenient for pick-up and drop-off. All should cater for dietary restrictions - whether in providing food suitable for your child, or asking you to supply a packed lunch and snacks.

Basically only you can know what your main priorities are, and you need to speak to the childminders, visit the nurseries (if possible), ideally get feedback from other parents, and see how you get on. You can always change your minds in the future if it doesn't work out.

I don’t think you can have a childminder versus nursery decision really. It’s about the specific nursery versus that specific childminder.
Due to multiple children and moving house, I’ve had good and bad experience with both.

Visit, ask questions and then go with your gut feeling.

What childcare needs are there for DS1? You may need to factor that in, as you may be needing before/after school and school holiday care for DS1.

If there are only a couple of childminders in your area, then is that a viable option?

Having childcare at your home (for example: live out nanny) may be an option but may be very costly.