Nursery or childminder?

[TheBerry]

DC is starting nursery in a couple of months when they’re 1.

It’s a lovely nursery in the countryside, very friendly and homely, Ofsted outstanding, and not even very expensive.

However, it recently struck me that a childminder might be just as good - and cheaper! There are several Ofsted outstanding childminders around here for like <£5 an hour.

I’m wondering why I didn’t consider childminders before. What does everyone think? We still have time to change our mind about nursery.

I think it depends on the child. I had similar thoughts after we committed to a nursery. But DS is sociable and is thriving in a bigger environment.

A good childminder is better than a bad nursery and a good nursery is better than a bd childminder.

Its really depends on the setting and the child.

Go and have a look at the childminder then decide

If the childminder takes a holiday or is ill, you could be left in the lurch. Whereas, a nursery has other staff to step in/cover.

Also, I don’t like that a childminder is without any other qualified adults all day. Or, that they could have any of their untrained mates or family/household members interacting with the kids.

It’s a tricky one. I’m really struggling to find childcare in a rural part of the country, and I think we’ll be getting a nanny. Have you got a spare room; you could consider an au pair? Canadians, Ozzy and NZ girls can get visas.

Sounds like you’re maybe just having a general wobble about returning to work?

Honestly nursery sounds fantastic and presumably you’ve already paid a deposit? Don’t second guess yourself. If for whatever reason it doesn’t work out, then and only then, would I look at other options.

I think a good child minder is better than a good nursery and a bad child minder is worse than a bad nursery.

My child minder had a friend she worked with so she could help out in an emergency.

My child minder also took my daughter to lots of groups so she saw lots of other children.

Not all childminders work alone many have assistants or co minders all registered and first aid trained.
If you have visitors they are not left alone it's no more risky than a nursery where it's not uncommon for a 17 year old to be left in a room because the ratio is over the whole building and there is no body to see.....or a nanny or au pair who's alone with child not inspected often not trained if your looking at a girl on a visa .....choosing childcare is about going seeing the setting and making a decision on what it's like not a label....statistically most abuse happens with family.

Op have you gone to see different settings? Advantages of a childminder include the extra support you get in emergencies, building a relationship with an experienced person you get to talk to daily so you can ask for advice....rather than whoever is on handover that day who may only have a years experience and not have worked with your child that day, they maybe the only childcare you ever need seeing you through to senior school and multiple children many of us have sat with children while parents awaiting arrival of siblings for example.

What Jannier said

It's also far more common these days for nurseries to shut at very short notice due to insufficient staff.

Op, your best option is to look at all of them, and read the Ofsted reports carefully. Choose the childcare provider that suits you best and can cover the childcare that your family needs.
There isn't really a right or wrong setting, unless it's inadequate: it's a matter of personal preference.
You'll know the right setting for you when you go to see it - and always do two visits to be sure.

Our school nursery has been shut 18 sessions this school year on top of training days and school holidays....that's 18 days of lost funding too.

I preferred a childminder for when my DC were little as it was a more homely calm environment then at 3 they moved to nursery.
The downside is that when they take holidays or are ill you have no childcare though so we have ended up taking our holidays when she does. They are a much cheaper option for us though which makes that a fair sacrifice