Childminder or nursery?

[ploopypleepy]

As the title says, will be going back to work full time towards the end of the year. It's not really a money thing as I know nursery is generally more expensive, but is one better than the other ?

It's personal choice so you will get so many conflicting opinions. Personally for us we preferred nursery

• DD in a room with other children in her age group as opposed to not with a CM as they have limitations of number of kids and ages

• reliability of nursery not having to worry about CM holiday or sickness

• learning from peers and group play linking to point 1 about mixing with kids of similar age and development

But you need to think of all options and figure out what's best for you

Agree with @wouldukissafrog and was also add that I like that my DC form attachments to a few different staff members, rather than just one CM. We went with a nursery chain and I like the idea that there's an organisational structure, people thinking about training and safeguarding etc. Felt like there was more accountability. Other people prefer that less formal, home environment though.

Would always pick nursery myself but it’s personal choice

Go and see both, it will depend on the options you have as to which is better for your child.

What's your child like? I had a naturally sociable 1 year old who liked lots of people and busy places, so nursery was an easy choice. If they'd been shy or more clingy by nature I'd be more inclined toward a childminder.

We preferred nursery as it’s more reliable, groups of the same age, chef cooking the food and all meals included, staff training and accountability and no staff holidays to worry about.

We went with nursery but don't forget to visit a few as you will get the feeling when you find the right one.

We go to a small nursery less than 40 children ages 6 months to 5 years.

Nursery isn't closed due to childminder illness or holidays (CM near me has 5 weeks off a year, so worth asking that question if you visit any) .
I don't have to worry about a childminder driving my daughter around.
I need all year round and not term time.
I like the fact all the children are the same age.
I like that I leave my daughter in one place and isn't take to groups or parks.

Book a place soon which ever route you go down as childcare in my area is crazy and don't forget to use the tax free childcare account.

For me would depend on age .. I felt better with childminder up to 2 but after 2 nursery as she loved the social interaction of all the other kids.. I went back to work when she was 4months and I didn't like the nursery for when she was a baby.

I went with a childminder because I like the more personal touch of a childminder and just one adult to get used to. Also means if I need some care for my older dc in holidays she will often help out to. I only need one day childcare though so that also makes a difference

Work in childcare and have my own little one. Ii would look at both, and a few of them. I looked at nurseries for my own, and I didn't get that good gut feeling. I couldn't imagine my baby being there. He also came to work with me, I work for a childminder, we have upto 9 children at a time, 3 adults and he struggled.
He's now with a childminder who has upto 4 children and he is thriving. Theres benefits to the different options.

Nursery is my preference. More reliable in terms of not having to close for sickness, holidays. Less reliance on one person being on the same wavelength. Childminder relationships can break down like any other. But having said all that, I’d definitely use a childminder over a mediocre nursery, it all depends on what provision is available to you.

Depending on where you live, availability might dictate this.

You'd not get a place for the end of the year in many of the nurseries near me.

This 100% and as another pp said, it depends on how sociable your child is

I do have to add that childminders take children to groups, including preschool later so there’s plenty of opportunities to mix and socialise

They also take them out and about including to playgrounds and often know other CMs in the area so children can mix with others.

I started settling my first son in a nursery, the most expensive, new, everything any mother would want to hear new nursery, new play trays every day, chef on site, etc etc etc

3 days in, I took him out as I just didn't have a good feeling. I decided for a local childminder, it's two ladies doing it together. They take the kids to singing Monday and Friday in the morning and play group Tuesday and Wednesday, they have lunch at play group.

It's like my extended family, my children never had to worry about their key person changing or someone quitting. We had 3 sick days in 3 years. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Its 7 kids at the, 3 sibling groups and a baby.

We went with nursery but there are definitely good nurseries and poor childminders and vice versa.

We did need watertight care and it does seem not many childminders provide food and that was really a hassle I didn’t want or need - the best thing about DS’ nursery days are the fact I know he’ll have healthy meals and snacks (I’m not much of a cook!)

There is a nice routine at DS’s nursery, a bit of free play in the morning as the children arrive, breakfast, craft activity (I am dreadful at doing painting and what not) snack, outdoor time, lunch (and pudding) nap, time outdoors, tea, free play as the children are collected. I think he likes the set up. With a childminder there would be a bit more ad hocness if you like with school runs and so on. But some people really like that.

Honestly think it depends on the individuals. Saw some terrible nurseries and CMs and some fab ones. DS at nursery and has totally thrived. He started at 11 months.

We went with nursery as always open apart from the bank holidays. Lots of children to mix with, different care givers which gave me an added level of peace of mind. Also as a summer born baby my child was more ready for a school environment.
im sure there’s fabulous childminders out there and some children would be better in their environment.

We chose a nursery.

Firstly, more accountability. More adults. More safeguarding.

Reliable. My concerns with a childminder, what do I do if they are off sick? What happens if their kid if off sick?

I know childminders should be structured, following a curriculum. But the nursery we chose has 3 rooms, doing different things according to age. I don't believe a childminder, with varied ages of children can offer the same level of care.

This is a change- MN used to be very pro childminders and you were deemed heartless if you sent a 1yr old to a nursery

Depends on age for me. Assuming both provisions are good, I’d opt for a childminder over a nursery for an under 2 every time. At that age I wanted to prioritise being in a home like setting and enabling them to form a secure and consistent attachment to one person. Also under 2 they were fascinated by older children and less interested in playing with babies their own age.

2-3 I think either is fine. 3 plus I preferred nursery/preschool to help prepare for school.

I went to a childminder when I was little. She was a nice lady, definitely no awful stories, but equally I never felt it was my home from home in the way that seems to be assumed on here. It was me in someone else’s home, and I just remember looking out of the window looking for my mum!

Of course, ds could feel like that about nursery, but it probably did colour my view a bit.

Both are regulated and inspected to the same standards (EYfS) by the same Ofsted inspectors and supported by the same LA childcare development team. The attend the same training ....ongoing professional development is part of the Ofsted inspection....someone above suggested childminders don't do it? The first aid and safeguarding training is the same...
There is no evidence to suggest safeguarding is not as good in childminders settings or that there is safety in numbers ( 6 arrested from one nursery just this week).
Babies need a close bond for development so a small setting where you hand over to the same person who then works with your child is important .....the idea behind key workers....but in practice few nurseries do this and the key worker is just for paperwork.
Yes you do have to consider reliability but you can ask about time off and talk to existing families ....most childminders rarely go sick like other self employed people they can't afford to. Holidays vary some take 2 weeks most 4 and a few more..typically deciding on dates in January ..how does this fit with you ?
You can get childminders who work with co-minders or assistants....up to 4 adults, then bigger childcare on domestic premises.
The right childminder can look after your family until secondary school can support you through a crisis, like illness and bereavement, being there with your child overnight or weekends in some cases and offer advice and support as a friend and professionally.

Very useful thread. Going back to work in a month and considering childcare options. In hindsight I should've began the search months ago but here we are.